What would you do? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/12/2008 10:41:48 AM · #1

So sunday I did a wedding for an older couple... second marriage, etc,etc.

when they first signed I went fully through the contract and made VERY sure (as I do every signing) to highlight to them, that I was to be the only photographer, and that during the formals other peoples camera's need to be put away (it's infinitely hard to get all eye's open and looking in the same direction as it is, let alone with 20 people saying hey look over here).

Day of the wedding comes, and first thing I notice is who I will call Uncle Bobzilla... He shows us with his 5D and 70-200L lens... I figure OK it's the ceremony so whatever, I'll be standing and moving, he'll be sitting, no problem... HA HA HA!!!! ceremony starts and everywhere I am, he is... If I move to the left, so does he... If I take a landscape photo, he's right behind me doing similar... Like a f***ing Monkey... but hey, whatever, it's the ceremony and the formals are coming and we'll be done with this nonsense right?

Ceremony ends, and rather than punch the guy (which is what I wanted to do by that time) I stop by and try to make friends "hey, nice camera, how long to been taking photo's" etc... he tells me he's just an amateur(!)... whatever I move on.

Formal time comes, and I gather everyone and do my usual speil "If I could ask everyone to put their cameras away..." (with explanation of why), etc. Well this is a show stopper. The B&G WANT this guy to continue taking photos... not only that but turns out that he's related somehow but one of the sons HIRED him to take photo!!!!! so I take a quike second to remind the B&G (as politely as I can) of their contract "What, so you're telling me that no one can take pictures other than you at the formals?" and uncle Bobzilla chimes in that we CAN'T do that, that no photographer is like that, he's never heard of that before, etc...

At this point I'm tempted to walk right off the job....

So before I continue the story.... what would you have done at this point?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

08/12/2008 10:50:08 AM · #2

I don't fuss about others with cameras as long as they are not in my way. There have been times when I would shoot a formal pose, then wait a second for the MWCs around to get their shot. BUT... I do remind the B&G that slowing down to allow others to get a shot will cause me to get less images than I would with no interuptions. My last 4 weddings have all been 2 photographer weddings so I guess I've just gotten used to it. The only thing I'm really insistent about is 'I get MY shots first' (while everyone's attention is in one place).

08/12/2008 10:57:02 AM · #3

Originally posted by idnic:

Let me add at this point that:

a) we had less than an hour to do the formals (which included going to another location)
b) the guy was litteraly shooting over my (or my intern who was shooting with me) shoulder at points... and getting in the way? it was like his mission

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

08/12/2008 10:57:10 AM · #4

(I'm not a wedding photographer ... take my opinion with a grain of salt)

Seems to me that this scenerio is a lose/lose no matter what. Sticking to your contract means offending the B&G = you lose. Letting bobzilla have complete artistic control = you lose if you were planning on people buying prints from you.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/12/2008 11:08:02 AM · #5

Cindi

Do you mean two Hired photographers? how does that work?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

08/12/2008 11:15:30 AM · #6

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Cindi

Do you mean two Hired photographers? how does that work?

Yes, 2 hired shooters. Not a shooter and an assistant... 2 shooters. Typically we're doing different things at the same time. Ex.: One shoots bride's preparations while the other shoots grooms; one shoots groups while one shoots venue or groups from PJ point of view, etc. I actually really enjoy having a 2nd shooter around, I don't feel so rushed to get EVERY little shot, or upset that I might have missed one because I know the other guy can get it. The hardest part is not ending up in each other's shots (especially during the reception).

Your guy getting in your way was just unfortunate. But I still wouldn't have said anything to him (though the evil-eye looks might have left him in tears). :)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/12/2008 11:27:02 AM · #7

Since I usually light formals with studio lights, I simply would not give him the sync.

That, or if he was being a real PITA, I would have him sync using the cord with my older power pack, the one with the 200V trigger voltage.

"Nah, you don't need a safe sync for this one..."

CassieDoodle

Nikon D200

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

08/12/2008 11:30:37 AM · #8

first of all... uncle bobzilla?
LOVE that nick name!

but seriously, we shot a friends wedding recently as a last minute favor, normally we don't do weddings but it was an emergency. before the ceremony, i was shooting the bride and her girls, when all of a sudden while i was backing up to take a shot, a groomsman comes up, stands right in front of me and takes pictures of the shot i set up with his "professional camera."

he continued doing this for the remained of the night. i was furious that he kept stealing my shots, then i find out that he was also hired to do the job.

i feel for your situation, as does everyone else here that has ever shot a wedding.

and you know what... you guys can have the weddings :P i'm sticking to the studio!

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/12/2008 11:33:25 AM · #9

I would wait until near the end of the night, and then, with my Ninja skillz, and some slight-of-hand, I would replace his memory card with an identical, empty card. Then, the next day I'd phone the B&G and tell them how relieved I was that they had hired another photographer, because none of my shots turned out.

But that's just what I'd do.

Buckeye_Fan

08/12/2008 11:39:36 AM · #10

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

ROFLMAO!!! Now that is a plan!!

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

08/12/2008 11:50:13 AM · #11

That happened at the last wedding I was at. The photographer had her flash plus the jerks flash going off. She stayed beside the professional the whole time. Now the photos are way overexposed.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/12/2008 11:54:30 AM · #12

As someone already said this can become a lose-lose situation real quick because making an issue will upset the client and not making an issue might impact the quality of your images. My recommendation, just plain outshoot the guy and let people lay the images side by side. Based on my limited experience, weddings are as much about timing as anything else. Two photographers and same spot with same pose will not get the same result because the right expressions appear and vanish in an instant. If you've got the skills your images are going to look better, unless Dennis Reggie happens to be the other guy that shows up.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

08/12/2008 11:55:04 AM · #13

Tempting though it was to simply walk away from the wedding I did not... I shot the rest with Uncle Bobzilla in my way the whole time.

Unfortunately they're photo's will not be a s good as others I've done is only because it's hard to work with people in your way... on the plus side there is a clause in my contract about cooperation, which should cover any complaint they may have.

I have no real doubt that the only thing they'll get from me is the album included. cause hey, they have a virtually identical set they can get for free...

ah well, you win some and you loose some... and really This wedding season aside from a few bumps has been really good. I'm proud of my work, and the product that I've put out there, everything has been a cut above anything I did last year, and I know next year will be even better... and that's the important part... right ? :)

rossbilly

Nikon D200

08/12/2008 11:56:25 AM · #14

(hehe - we posted @ nearly the same time)

I tend to be rather happy-go-lucky about such things, but would have tried to befriend AND encourage him to "get coverage from other angles" (or some other creative distraction). Kill them with kindness & a positive attitude. It will (usually) impress your clients, and happy clients spend money.

I'm happy for you, to have such a positive attitude in the end. :D

Message edited by author 2008-08-12 11:59:06.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/12/2008 12:02:24 PM · #15

Originally posted by Eyesup:

... on the plus side there is a clause in my contract about cooperation, which should cover any complaint they may have.

I have no real doubt that the only thing they'll get from me is the album included. cause hey, they have a virtually identical set they can get for free...

It would be funny if they got an album with the back of Bobzilla's head in every single shot. I'm just saying... it would be funny.

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/12/2008 12:03:56 PM · #16

I'm not a wedding photog either, though I have done a few lately for fun and experience, so take my advice with a grain of salt as well. I think the last thing you want to do is ruffle the feathers of the Bride or Groom on their wedding day. I know it was in the contract you had them sign but if they wanted the guy to continue shooting after you asked everyone to put the cameras away, I would have just let it go and make the best of the situation. I think I would have just announced that we have a short period of time and that you request everyone to give their attention to you so you can get the best shot possible and that you will give a few seconds after each shot for those with their own cameras to snap some pics. I think you want the Bride and Groom as relaxed as you can get them and if you show your frustration or are to overbearing you could ruin the rest of the shoot and get a bad reference out of the whole situation. When your going over proofs with the B&G, if they mention that they are missing formals or they express that they are unhappy with the ones you provided( which I doubt is the case as I'm sure you still managed to get good shots despite the other shooter) I would remind them, in a polite manner, of your contract clause and how the second shooter they had interfered with your ability to get the best possible shot and that you are sorry but that is why you have that clause. It's tough spot no doubt but I think keeping the B&G happy on the wedding day for the rest of the pics is extremely important so the whole day doesn't turn into a bust, jmo.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/12/2008 12:10:54 PM · #17

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Unfortunately they're photo's will not be a s good as others I've done is only because it's hard to work with people in your way...

There's your answer. Have your assistant accidentally get in the guy's way all night. ;-)