rebecca_chavez

<p>Wow...</p>

<p>Okay, so obviously this is a serious topic of dicussion with a lot of varying opinions. I don't think I've ever received more responses on anything I've ever posted on the internet before. I'd like to thank you all for your honest answers. I'm taking them all into consideration. I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do at this time, but I'll play it by ear. If I accidentally offend someone this once...well...at least I'm now encouraged not to try and do anything like this again in the future. It's too much worry just to let myself have a little fun feeding my hobby, while possibly benefitting a friend at the same time. </p>

<p>Thanks again, and feel free to continue commenting if you so desire, as I'll still be watching your posts.</p>

<p>Consensus seems to be I should introduce myself, mention that I'll be taking photos and will be staying out of his way. </p>

<p>As one more piece of clarification, I haven't really "worked" with this person before (I haven't worked with anyone). He just happened to do the wedding of one of my best friends and I took advantage of the fact that I was a maid (and my husband a groomsman) to get some neat behind the scenes shots. </p>

<p>The suggestion that the 100-400 is a bit much is well taken, however, it is a far superior piece of glass to my other zoom lens and the anti-shake alone is worth the other issues. I actually got it for shooting the Kentucky Derby the following weekend and didn't expect it to arrive early, but I could see it helping me to be unobtrusive as possible while still getting some nice close ups.</p>

<p>First, everyone, thanks for the quick responses.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>You made an offer to the bride, knew of these type of concerns, were apparently silent as to the bride about them and apparently didn't make any attempt to communicate with the photographer.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Well, in all honesty, I didn't know professionals had these kind of concerns when I first spoke to the bride. But on another, completely photo unrealted forum, I mentioned what I had done and started getting yelled at (virtually) for apparently not respecting the professional. I want it to be clear that this is not the case. I would never expect any professional to accomodate me. I found it surprising that a professional would have issues with a guest taking photos (provided they stayed out of the main photographer's way and didn't use flash), so I decided to ask about it on a board where I was likely to get some real professionals' responses about how not to step on anyone's toes while still getting some nice photos.</p>

<p>I'm an amatuer photographer and I will be attending the wedding of a friend this weekend. The couple has a professional lined up to take photos and, if his work is anything like it was in a previous wedding I attended where he was providing services, it will be almost exclusively posed portrait photos. I don't know if he has a "sole photographer" clause or if he even has a contract with the bride (he's apparently a family friend). At the prior wedding I, while acting primarily as a bridesmaid, indulged in my photographic obsession (with the brides permission) and got some fairly nice photojournalistic and artsy B&Ws. The photographer didn't appear to have any problem with my presence or my snapping additional pictures, but that may be because I had another 'offificial' role to play.</p>

<p>I've offered to take some photos at this upcoming wedding just as a supplement to the professional's work. The bride thought it was a great idea and invited me to the rehearsal and backstage to take getting ready shots. I don't pretend to be a professional, nor would I ever attempt to steal shots from someone who was (i.e. taking shots over someone's shoulder) . I won't be using a flash and I won't be taking posed family photos (which appears to be his forte). I will take every precaution to stay out of his way as much as possible and have told my husband to keep an eye out to make sure I don't accidentally infringe on his territory. That being said, I will be bringing my DSLR and a couple of lenses. One will be a pretty hefty zoom lens (100-400) that I'm actually renting for a vacation later in the week (but which will be arriving early). </p>

<p>So the question is, would you be annoyed by my presence? Would you prefer it if I introduced myself at the beginning? How far can a guest go before they start treading on a professional's terrain? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>