How do you act as a pro photographer when you are a guest at a wedding

<p>In a recent <a href="../wedding-photography-forum/00YuHm">post</a> elements of professional courtesy as a guest have come up regarding posting the images on facebook. But what didn't get discussed much is how you tend to act as a guest at a wedding in which you aren't a hired pro, even though you are a professional photographer. </p>

<p>Do you bring your camera with you? If so, do you bring your professional body, or a lesser model? Do you bring your whole rig, big flash and all, giant professional lenses, or do you bring just a 50mm and shoot with available light?</p>

<p>If I do bring a camera with me, I make sure I am staying out of the way of the hired pro though, and out of their shots as well as best I can.</p>

<p>I wonder because believe it or not, I have started to see hobbyists at weddings bringing 70-200 2.8 IS L lenses, and 580EX flashes. One even had a 5DmkII and she was just a casual photographer, it was a gift from her boyfriend because he heard it was a good camera. So should I feel like I should have to bring a lesser model with me when other guests who aren't pros are bringing top of the line equipment?</p>

<p>For example, I was a bridesmaid in my sister-in-law's wedding this past weekend, so out of respect for the photographers who are wonderful talented individuals, I didn't bring my camera with me. My sister in law wanted me to just be able to be a guest and enjoy myself. Irony of all ironies, not having my camera was pretty much killing me after the hired pros left at their contracted time, but many photo worthy events went on. People knowing I'm a photographer keep emailing me saying, did you get any photos at the wedding??? The only camera I had with me was the one on my phone, and that certainly wasn't going to cut the mustard in a dimly lit reception.</p>

<p>So how do you usually handle going to weddings as a guest, rather than as the hired pro?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Many hobbyist have nice rigs. Let them have their fun. They don't have to carry a camera in their hands day after day. When I'm a guest at a party the only thing I want in my hands is a cocktail...and perhaps a little P&S for those fun little grab shots that always come up at parties. More as a memento than serious work. Let go and let the other guys work for a change. If you're there as part of the celebration...celebrate!</p>

<p>I go without camera, just like lawyers don't bring a briefcase to the wedding.</p>

<p>Let the people hired be the photographers. As Louis said, if I am a guest, it's because I am either a family member or a friend and I am there to celebrate, so I'd rather have a drink in my hand than a camera (and, if I am there a a guest because some cousin eighteen times removed invited us because they want lots of gifts, then I want lots of drinks in my hand <em>j/k</em>)</p>

<p>I absolutely evaluate the photographers and I happily tell my wife my opinions (good or bad) but I would <em>never</em> tell the couple anything (unless I had high praise).</p>

<p>Being a professional photographer also means being a professional when you are not the photographer.</p>

<p>Like the others, I leave my gear in the car. I am there to socialise and enjoy the event. I like Rob's last sentence...:) Robert</p>

<p>I'm not a professional wedding photographer, however, I do have a lot of nice gear. A few weddings that I went to, I did bring the "professional equipment" of a 5D and 70-200 F4. I didn't like it, #1 - i'm there to have fun and enjoy myself, lugging around a 70-200 (even the f4 version) is not a whole lot of fun.</p>

<p>I do like to bring my 5D or 20D with me, but I just toss on a small lens and only use it for things I want to remember, not so much for the B&G.</p>

<p>If the pro photographer leaves and there are things I wanna grab, then I have my camera there, and I get to be creative with my 50 1.4 or 35mm lenses. I think the biggest difference is that these photos are primarily for my wife and I to remember the wedding from our perspective, not to impress the B&G.</p>

I'd rather have a really fun time at the wedding visiting with a lot of friends and family. I leave the camera home. It's more fun!

<p>I like Rob's last sentence as well. =) Maybe after I've been doing this for years on end, my constant desire to have my camera on hand will wane. But I've been like this for a long time. Back in high school almost every photo of me, had me with a camera around my neck. I choose my cell phone on the basis of the quality photos the camera can take (along with sound quality, yes, I do still care about that). Maybe getting myself a better quality P&S that shoots in RAW is a good solution.</p>

<p>I act like a guest and prefer to have a "good time". I am most interested in testing the food and wine or beer stock and having a chat, I don't dance ;-)<br />I usually bring a small, light Minolta Maxxim 70 film camera with 28-100 kit lens loaded with ONE roll of 24 exp. 400asa color film. I have a pair of these along with a 75-300 that I use for vacation, holidays and special events. I buy the CR2 batteries for them once a year, right now they're dead (lol).<br />I take about 8-16 shots of whatever catches my mood, maybe a cousin or friend and some wedding stuff, details etc. I usually never bring my regular equipment, too bothersome to keep track of once we get near the "honey you're driving home phase".<br />I seldom if ever get into a conversation with the pro unless I know them, in which case they usually come over to me first anyway. Even in that case, I mind my business and get on with the happenings.</p>

<p>I bring my G10 and act like a guest - it's fun! I make people get together and do cheesy things, I take pictures of dumb/random things, etc... It clears all the cobwebs out for the real thing! :)</p>

If you are a true professional photographer you will understand work is work play is play, if i was invited for a wedding I would not

bring my camera since last thing i want is worry where my camera is while dancing with my wife. This is the time to remember why

we got marry instead of being selfish doing what I love. If you are single it is time to social and enjoy the evening, leave the Hire

photographer do his job.

<p>I carry my camera with only my 50mm mounted. Or none at all.</p>

<p>I usually make a point of NOT going to weddings (personal reasons) but the extremely few times I've been to one I never carry a camera with me, not even a small one. I pay no attention to the professional hired for the day, I do not check to see what kind of equipment s/he has - I simply try to enjoy the day and that's that.</p>

<p>It's the same rationale behind not accepting to shoot friends' weddings - I find that mixing pleasure with work is usually a bad idea. Whenever someone invites me to a wedding saying "and if you want, I wouldn't mind you bringing your camera along and taking a few pictures" I almost immediately pass.</p>

<p>If I have been asked (e.g. by friends who can't afford a pro) I will bring a camera. Otherwise, no.</p>

<p>I went to a wedding once where the groom was also the photographer.... not sure how that worked!</p>

<p>If it doesn't into my jacket packet, it stays home. Don't have to think about loosing anything. Have fun, talk to people, have a drink, dance with my wife. Once in a while pull out my little PS and snap one of those arms' lenght self portraits together.</p>

<p>hmmm....interesting question, as everyone I know is either married already, or had me as the Hired Gun for the wedding. </p>

<p>If I were just invited to the wedding as a guest - I'd probably bring my D40 and 18-200 zoom - just for snaps. </p>

<p>At the wedding I shot on Saturday - one of the guests was a Pro photographer. He brought his 5d and several fast lenses. After he saw that I was covering the important stuff - he gave his camera with 50mm f1.4 to his son (age 14) and let him shoot kid's stuff. </p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I go without camera, just like lawyers don't bring a briefcase to the wedding.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Lawyers don't bring briefcases to weddings because there is no reason to use them. There are legitimate reasons a photographer may want to take some images of some kind even if its limited to their own friends and family out of the way of the main events.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>If you are a true professional photographer you will understand work is work play is play</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sure, but even a "true professional photographer' can figure out that they can grab some pictures of something that comes up for fun or "play" or for friends and family family without the burdens of work requirements if they want to.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Irony of all ironies, not having my camera was pretty much killing me after the hired pros left at their contracted time, but many photo worthy events went on.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>The first wedding I remember going to as a guest was in 1965. The novelty has worn off since then and I often enjoy shooting more than schmoozing. I generally bring a DSLR, general purpose zoom and flash. What bring to the party is knowing who all the people are and their relationships, which the pro generally doesn't. When I'm shooting on the book I follow the B&G and immediate family and folks in the wedding party and then shoot visually interesting other things/people. As a guest I know who the important extended family members and friends are, and shoot them even if they aren't the hot couple on the dance floor.</p>

<p>My basic rule for dealing with the pro(s) is don't get in their way and stay out of their shots if I'm shooting. I don't move around during the ceremony. I don't shoot over their shoulders during formals. If I run across them at the bar, I say HI.</p>

<p>I wouldn't get in the way of the hired professionals, but I do take my camera. Just as you said, opportunities presented themselves after the professionals left. It would kill me to see something memorable happen, knowing I decided to leave my camera at home.</p>

<p>I have a G11 but won't even bring that. My wife has an even smaller Canon point & shoot we'd bring along for quick photo ops with friends. No way am I bringing my 5D.</p>

<p>No, I do not bring a camera. Usually there is a friend of B&G taking shots, I will get them to take a shot of B&G & me, give them my email address, then it shows up !</p>

<p>In situations like this, I bring a p&s that is small enough to put in a pocket or hang off my belt out of sight. The D3 and its lenses stay home.<br>

I used to bring a d70 with a 28-80mm in situations like this. When the d70 died, I started carrying a Canon powershot. I am taking less pictures, but I am enjoying the events more. When folks give me the "I was hoping you would bring your good camera." line. I politely respond, "I'm off today."<br>

I must admit that I will watch the hired photog to see if I can pick up any new ways of doing things, but I never intentionaly bother them.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"When I'm a guest at a party the only thing I want in my hands is a cocktail...and perhaps a little P&S for those fun little grab shots that always come up at parties"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I am not a pro so I dont know if it counts but I do not bring my gear with me either. I am a guest I want to have fun. I once saw my brother in law carry his 40D with lens and flash and would't part with it simply because he was afraid it would get stolen or damaged. I want to relax and enjoy the party.</p>

<p>Honestly, I leave my pro digital gear at home and grab a film camera. I really like just shooting a few rolls with my Mamiya C330 when the mood strikes me. Generally speaking I shoot digital for work and film for pleasure. In most cases there is only a short window where shooting with the C330 really works well due to the light, and then the sun goes down and the TLR disappears.</p>

<p>Unless specifically asked by a member of the wedding party, bride, groom, or father/mother of the B/G to bring my camera, I leave all my cameras at home and let my wife take pictures with her P&S.</p>

<p>This leaves me free to drink to my heart's content, dance, and have a good time without worrying about my equipment.</p>

<p>RS</p>