Other photographers at wedding?

<p>If someone said to you after the booking was confirmed that there would be other photographers at the wedding shooting for their own portfolios how would you reply?</p>

<p>Depending upon the exact circumstances – there would be a range of replies from a shrug of the shoulders to referring them to with my exclusivity clause in the contract which the Client signed.<br>

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It is difficult to give a definitive answer with so few details provided.<br>

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WW </p>

<p>You might want to let the bride know that any time schedule may not be followed due to the 'hold on a minute while I get a shot or two of that pose' by the second or third shooters....</p>

<p>Often, you have enough time after the ceremony and before the reception to get your work done. Adding more photographers will only slow down the event, my guess.</p>

<p>And you may want to get paid in advance. Her photographer friends will likely give her prints that she won't be buying from you.</p>

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<p>This will likely interfere with your ability to do your job...you need to discuss it further. What would be the purpose of having several photographers?!</p>

<p>Smack her on the nose with a newspaper. Say "Bad bride, no biscuit!"</p>

<p>In all seriousness, you need to point out to her that according to your contract, you are to be the exclusive photographer at the event and will not accommodate or tolerate other photographers interfering with the work she has hired you to perform. You do have that clause in your contract.... right?.....</p>

<p>We require in our contract that we are the only professional photographers at the wedding (by this I mean the only ones getting paid or using the wedding for business purposes). I have no problem with people taking pictures, just when they try to highjack the wedding. I'd be flat out honest on your opinion of it (but be nice of course! :D).</p>

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<p>Smack her on the nose with a newspaper. Say "Bad bride, no biscuit!"</p>

 

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<p>LOL</p>

<p>HECK NO,,,,</p>

<p>As William W.--need to know the exact circumstances. One of those photographers may be her brother or father, or sister, etc., and leaning heavily on the bride will allow her to say "good riddance" to you when you stamp your foot and point to your contract re 'other photographers'. Assuming you still want the contract.</p>

<p>Several photographers trying to put together portfolios I like a lot less than dealing with just one, perhaps. Usually, if I decide, I tend to make the one a free second or assistant, getting brownie points at the same time, for being accommodating. This way, I can control that person's behavior and impact on my shooting.</p>

<p>Nadine, fantastic idea! It's still so awkward that they're even there, but that's making the best of it!!</p>

<p>I'm with Williakm and Nadine-it depends on the situation, and I think it also depends on where these other photographers are coming from. If they are from another state and friends of the B&G, I would be much more forgiving of it than if they were somebody local they found from a Craigslist ad and decided that more photographers is better. If it's the former, I would ask to meet them, chat, set your boundaries so they know not to be jumping in front of you, shooting over your shoulder and otherwise getting in your way. If it's the latter, I would be a bit worried that the clients didn't fully trust me to capture their wedding day and felt the need to get more photographers, and I would also be concerned that these shots would be showing up on other local photographers sites, and a potential bride could be confused upon seeing the same bride on 2 or 3 sites.</p>

<p>I meant <em><strong>more details of the situation</strong></em> and for those details to the explain the exact meaning of the question. . .<em><strong> :</strong></em><br /><br /><em><strong>"shooting for their own portfolios" </strong></em>could mean shooting for their own contracts - i.e. they are established Photographers and they are NOT shooting to <strong><em>build</em></strong> a portfolio.<br /><br />Also we cannot assume that "confirmed" means a contract has been signed and we further cannot assume that a contract there is an exclusivity clause.<br /><br />The question is extremely general and requires much more meat for an answer - including also details of what location the wedding will take place; and location / jurisdiction the contracts were signed (if signed yet).<br>

It is only a guess, but I doubt these other Photographers will have been drawn from Graigslist and it is more likely that the Wedding and Contracts will be set outside the USA and possibly in two different locations. </p>

<p>WW</p>

As long as you know this before the wedding, perhaps ask the bride to supply the phone numbers of the other photographers, then let them know what your guidelines are. If there are no issues go ahead and take the gig. If things don't work out simply walk away from your contract. Hopefully you have in your contract something about other photographers taking pics over your shoulder or something.

<p>To be understood that other photographers most likely will disrupt your timing and style of shooting and limit your creative edge as well. Because there are so many variables that you may be up against I would consider canceling if possible.</p>

<p>Firstly thanks to everyone for their opinions and time it is much appreciated.</p>

<p>I deliberately posted the question very vaguely as I only wanted to gauge the overall reaction to such a situation and how some colleagues might handle it. I know that more details and specifics would help but I am pleased to see that there is a strong majority of you who would not find it acceptable if you found yoursleves in a similar situation.</p>

<p>William W you are right that this wedding is an overseas affair and the other photographers happen to be on vacation in that country and wish to have a destination wedding to add to their portfolios.</p>

<p>I prefer not add any further details but am happy to say that I have resolved the situation by talking to the client and citing the reasons why other photographers would hinder my ability to do my job, such as the distractions they would cause, the fact they would probably slow the shoot rate down, they might compromise shots by being in the background etc.</p>

<p>These reasons were enough to convince the client that it was not a good idea and I did not need to resort to referring them to the contract.</p>

<p>I prefer to work alone even to the extent of not having a second shooter at my weddings as I prefer to have my clients undivided attention when I work with them, there are already enough distractions at a wedding!<br>

<br />Once again I thank you all for your responses and wish you all the very best.</p>

<p>I was only correct in my assumptions because I did my research - just as you are making the correct decision as a result of your research.<br>

I am glad that your Client's see the value in their decision – it seems your shoots are predicated upon <strong ><em >Reconnoitre,</em></strong> <strong><em>Planning </em></strong>and <strong ><em >Rapport</em></strong><br>

I understand & concur.<br>

Best back to you.<br>

WW<br>

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<p>Tell her that for your shots to be there best require their full attention. Having the couple not knowing which camera to look at will not make for good shots. Tell them to allow an extra 30 mins for these other photographers to take their shots and then leave you to do your job...</p>

<p>I would politely ask if they could be sure to keep behind my line of site and try to avoid being in the shots. If that was workable, and it usually would be, I am fine with others shooting along with me.</p>

<p>I love that scenario. shoot documentary style, make sure to not only capture the guests but the other photographers as well. Most of the photographers will be fighting to get the main shots, but if you ad a twist and include shots of the couple getting their photos taken you'll come out the winner. <br>

I did this at at numerous events where I show up and see that there are other pros shooting. I'll make sure to capture the pros in action and they will usually contact me for copies of the photos as well as the event/client. </p>