"NO, i will NOT take a photo with your camera!"

<p>I am a 59 year old male and I am frequently asked to perform tasks out side my duties as a photographer.Sometimes<em> </em>I am treated as just the hired help other times just like family.Put your ego aside and cash the check. Its a business first.If you treated any of my clients or their family like this it would be the last time you would work for me.Thats business in the real world.</p>

<p>I don't think this has anything to do with being taken seriously or not. Maybe it's about the profession not being taken seriously, but the person has nothing to do with it IMO.<br>

Unless your are one of the very few wedding photogs that doesn't need word-of-mouth advertising being polite and taking the picture is probably the best idea.<br>

I definitely don't understand the 'take a lousy picture' comments. Even non-photographers have some idea that the quality of the picture is to a great deal due to the photographer, not just the camera. If your picture looks worse than most of the pictures taken by the owner of the camera, they will draw conclusions about your skills based on that. 'Look, this one's all blurry, and it was taken by that so-called professional!'</p>

<p>Haha, William--I have to say that taking male trainees out in the field took place maybe seven years ago??? So perhaps things have changed, but I doubt it. In the business world, I've always had to work harder to get beyond being judged 'as a female'. And some of the male trainees were not young. I'm also 5'1" tall, but I've never let that be a problem. I can't yell very loud, but I still try. In fact, I've taken to playing a different hand and getting young male wedding party members to do the work I need (being feeble and old and all...). I know one thing, though. Almost everyone responds well to graciousness, a smile, a sense of humor, sensitivity, and a positive attitude. Keep it up and you will find people smiling back at you sooner than later.</p>

<p>For my 2cents...<br>

I always take their picture with their camera when asked (if I am not too busy at the moment) and even offer to take the shot for them so that all the friends can be in the picture, however I also ask them to pose for my camera as well.<br>

As said above by greater photographers than I, this is about customer service and providing a great experience, besides once they see my shot compared to theirs, it is my shot that they want framed, and their shot that goes on facebook.</p>

<p>just to stir it up some more...</p>

<p>I think women make better wedding photographers; it is all about the Bride (and the mother of the bride). I believe women photographers are more sensitive to that than I will ever be, as much as I try. :-)</p>

I am BEYOND excited to have so many suggestions :) Thank you so very much. I appreciate your input.

 

I expected to get some "stern" comments - and I thank you for being honest and helping me be the best photographer I can be.

 

For the record, shortly after I noticed the PO'd MOB eating a piece of cake, I sat down with her and said I'd include her (free of charge) in the cd of proofs I normally charge family members for. People LOVE free stuff - especially moms!

 

I worked in department stores all through undergrad and grad school - I guess I never realized how much being a photographer IS a service job. Albeit, it's a lot tougher and takes tons more creativity and time management skills than working a handbag counter, but customers are customers.

 

THANK YOU :):):):)

<blockquote>

<p>I am a petite, 30 year old woman who looks like she still belongs in high school...<br /> ... and I am having a problem with guests taking me seriously!</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>So you know <strong>what</strong> is the problem and you know <strong>why</strong> you have that problem. This is actually much better than most people...<br>

I think one thing you could consider looking at is your image - is it an image of a professional or an image of a high school student? Wouldn't hairstyle and what you dress make a difference? If you are interested, you can find some pointers in books by Mary Spillane.</p>

<p><em>"Would someone ask a 45 year old male photographer what this woman asked ME?"</em></p>

<p>Yep, they sure will. I'm a long way above 45 and they still ask me to shoot a snap from their camera. I smile, take the picture, and move on.</p>

<p>I've never seen much respect given to professional photographers, nor do I really expect it. Why should they? Even if we are really good, we are relatively minor players with a relatively minor skill set. It's not like a wedding photographer is likely to have a doctorate in photojournalism. I get a more respect from my day job, which is one of the reasons I keep doing it.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Just make sure take a lousy picture!</p>

</blockquote>

<p>So they can show it to all of their friends and say, "Here's the picture that the professional photographer took with my camera. It doesn't look very professional to ME!"</p>

<p>Either explain that you're too busy capturing the action with your own camera (a very plausible excuse) or take a photo with their camera that you'd be proud to see published on the cover of a national magazine with your name under it in large print. Putting a bad picture in public for ANY reason is like letting the other team (i.e. your local competition) score a touchdown.</p>

 

<p>I start by telling the whole group that we don't allow photography during the portrait sessions. Period. If they press, we explain that their flashes can sometimes interfere with ours and that if we wait for them to shoot after we do on poses, it slows down the whole process. It also keeps bridesmaids from toting cameras to every location we shoot bridal party pics at, and having to put them down every time. This has worked best for me, and quite frankly, if they want to take my formals with their camera, then they can try to set it up later when we are shooting candids. <br /><br />I've yet to have a client complain about this, they are paying us to take the pictures well and on time, and snapping aunties always slow down the process :) </p>

<p><em><strong>"Almost everyone responds well to graciousness, a smile, a sense of humor, sensitivity, and a positive attitude. Keep it up and you will find people smiling back at you sooner than later."</strong></em><br>

<br>

Crikey! See that makes my point exactly. This type of carry on is the big mistake most of you Women Wedding Photographers make. <br>

I have heard the "Be Nice" theory before - but do you really reckon it really works in a tense, warzone, life and death situation – like when we are Photographing a Wedding?<br>

WW</p>

 

<p>Now I remember why I stopped doing weddings.</p>

<p><em><strong>"I guess I never realized how much being a photographer IS a service job."</strong></em><br>

<br>

Mini Epiphany. <br>

Brava! <br>

Carry onward and upward. . . <br>

<br>

WW</p>

<p > </p>

 

<p>Make sure that you take the photos that you have agreed to deliver then do the "extra" such as take a shot with the Mom's camera (I'm sure people understand if you ask them to wait 2 mins). Not taking photos, sabotaging photos etc. is bad behavior. I don't shoot weddings professionally, but have taken wedding shots as favors and attend weddings and other formal social gatherings and while the photographer needs to retain a certain level of professional integrity (such as taking the agreed shots), but that doesn't mean that it's the photographers show; customers are paying so their desires should not be dismissed outright.<br>

Like others said, creating a good impression goes a long way. I don't believe much in losing print sales since just ordering a bunch of photos from the photographer is easier than gathering random shots from the guests and trying to print them. Cheapskates will always be cheapskates regardless of what you do.</p>

<p>I'm with David, Jeff, Rob etc - take the photo, it costs you nothing but gains loads. As for sabotaging the photo - you really don't need to, most of the guys out there do that all by themselves.</p>

I almost always oblige, with the caveat that I get mine first. I also do what Rob (Domaschuk) does, if I see someone struggling to include themselves in their own photo and I'm not busy, I will offer to take it. Costs me nothing and may mean everything to them - and possible referrals for me :)

<p>Just tell her you need to ask your parents for permission first, just kidding, like others said, as in any business these people and their subsequent referrals are paying the rent, you are a photographer, end of story, she wants you to take the picture because she feels it will be better than hers (respect shown). btw i expect most of us are envious of your youthful inconvienience. ;-)</p>

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<p>For the record, shortly after I noticed the PO'd MOB eating a piece of cake, I sat down with her and said I'd include her (free of charge) in the cd of proofs I normally charge family members for.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>A very good recovery, I think! In a weird way that may be more memorable to the MOB than if you had taken the snap with her camera in the first place. Perhaps your next client will <em>want</em> you to upset them ont he day if they get something free <grin></p>

<p>Sounds as if you have two problems to deal with, (which may be three). The first is being taken seriously at formal occaisions when you may very well look like one of the guests, (which I appreciate has it's advantages). Maybe the way you dress needs to be reviewed - do you look like a professional photographer? Perhaps you need a 'badge of office'. This might be a business suit, or if you are already down this line, then maybe the classic cliche of a sleeveless safari waistcoat - one of those 'orrible green multipocket things. This over whatever you're wearing will make you stand out and apart from everyone else. A hat with the words 'official photographer' might work.<br>

As to the old lady business. Just explain that you need to take your shots first and then you'd be happy to oblige, but when you take theirs don't deliberately take a duff image but wait until somebody is not looking the right way, something which is effectively beyond your control.</p>

<p>I think the simplest solution is:-<br>

(a) make yourself a "professional" badge/label like most people wear for security/access to office buildings etc that says something like "Official Photographer" and wear it on a cord around your neck. Then you can be clearly distinguished easily from any other wedding guests and wear whatever outfit you're comfortable in. The badge is the identifier, not what you wear or how you look or what camera you're carrying. Any number of guests could look the same with a nice big "Pro" DSLR. But they won't have the badge!<br>

(b) Take the photo with grace as long as it doesn't interfere with your own shoot. Think about possible referrals while you're doing it and make it a good one!</p>

<p>To Ted & David's remarks about my karma, etc. I disagree, respectfully.<br>

Taking a snapshot of a formal portrait you posed <em>lessens the value of the work you just did</em>. No, the lighting would not be as nice, but why would they buy a formal portrait of yours (these are mainly what people buy) if they have a professional/style one on their own camera? If you take your professional photos you have done your job. I did it ONCE, and once people saw I was willing, asked me for the rest of the wedding to do it, interfering with my job and making me very uncomfortable. Not to mention the let down on coming to view their session and getting, oh, yeah, I already saw that, instead of wow, that looks great!<br>

Sabotage, no. Bad attitude, no. But less than what you have truly been paid to do? Yes.</p>

<p>Sorry, I don't see the lack of respect angle because of mom's request. It could just be that mom has been struggling to take good pics and just wanted to see what a pro photographer could do with her point 'n' shoot. It depends how you look at it. Forgive me Annie, but you come off as having a chip on your shoulder and being too quick to assume the worst. And what's the big deal in obliging mom anyway? And lastly, why should mom just grant you unconditional respect? Maybe when she looks at the photo album you created and remembers what a down-to-earth person you were for taking a picture with her camera, she will probably feel respectful and gush to her friends, that have daughters, what an amazing photographer you are, and a good sport to boot.</p>

<p>Wow! I didn't realize this would be so controversial. I suggest just taking the picture with a smile on your face. Karma does come back and with a bad attitude it will come back to bite you in the butt.</p>

<p>I like taking photos with other people's cameras at weddings. I have zero problem with that.</p>

<p>I agree with Melissa. I'm not a wedding photographer, but have been the bride's requested second shooter on numerous occasions. The very first thing I do is go to the pro and introduce myself and maintain my desire to take only candids and stay out of their way. 99% have been very gracious with my very favorite calling me over to stand beside him to take back-up shots of posed groups so that the family can have them the next day.<br>

I tell this slightly off topic story to note that I have recommended that pro photographer to many friends. Soooo, take Mama's camera and make her think you came there just with her in mind. It'll be worth it in the future.</p>

 

<p>Seems like a "Tempest in a teapot".</p>

<p>What's the big deal? They probably asked you because they DO think you are the "professional" and good at what you do.</p>

<p>I even volunteer to do so when I see a group sans the picture taker. The poor camera person is NEVER in the group picture. </p>

<p>I do that on vacation also. Nice couple taking some souvenir shots but never with both of them in the photo.</p>

<p> </p>