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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> how to deal with uninvited photographers.
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Showing posts 51 - 75 of 247, (reverse)
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 01/02/2011 03:05:10 AM · #51
The guy had no business interfering during your shoot, especially after you asked him not to. I don't agree with everyone trashing on his work though. It's actually not bad with the exception of his awful vignette usage.
 01/02/2011 06:56:11 AM · #52
I would have draft up a quick contract on the spot stating what the problem was and if the photos come out washed out due to the problem I STILL WANT ALL MY MONEY!!! I have need known a bride who did who did not care about her photos
 01/02/2011 06:57:54 AM · #53
what a trip. i think aloha and spork have given you some of the best advice. i would suggest that, before you put this behind you, you head over to xtranormal and document the event ;-)

i don't shoot many weddings, but i shoot a lot of events and this happens to me 2-3 times a year. i guess i'm an easy target because an "event" photographer can't be as good as a "wedding" photographer, which means that the "wedding" photographers in the crowd need to come coach me and tell me how to do my job. luckily, it's only rarely that they actually have a camera with them.

here's a quick list of how i typically handle it:

* if they want to "teach" me, i politely tell them i appreciate their offer and will get back to them once i have a break, but i can't talk at the moment because i'm working.

* if they get in my way, i politely ask them who they are working for. if they're not working for anyone, i'll politely point out that i was hired and that they are interfering with what i was hired to do and ask them (nicely) to stay out of my way. if they were hired by someone, i'll suck it up and bite my lip - until i feel they are screwing my work up too much; then i'll ask them to show me a little professional courtesy.

* if they persist in being a problem, i'll find my contact person (usually the person who hired me), and let them know that things are going "ok, except i'm having a slight issue that they need to be aware of that might affect what i'm able to deliver. how do you want me to handle it?" at that point, it doesn't matter because the client understands what's going on and 1) will deal with it, or 2) will allow me to deal with it, or 3) doesn't think it will matter enough to worry about it.

* if i have to deal with it (meaning that it has escalated past the point of politeness and/or professional courtesy), i simply put a fresh set of batteries in my 580, bump it up to +3, take it off my body, and walk up to the jerk and say, "hey, could you give me a hand? this thing doesn't seem to be working right." and i point it right in his eyes and start popping it until it won't pop any more. POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! and when the bastard can't see straight, i put my foot behind him and give him a quick shove. once he's down, i give his camera the hardest kick i can, aiming for something really solid, like a wall. then i bend over him like i'm trying to help and i whisper, "listen here you low-life sonafabitch, if you ever get in my way again, that camera's going to become a medical device, showing everyone just what your ass looks like from the inside..." note: i've never had to go this far, but it's always good to have a plan b ;-)

Message edited by author 2011-01-02 07:52:27.
 01/02/2011 07:00:59 AM · #54
Skip, your plan B is priceless.
 01/02/2011 08:14:23 AM · #55
Skip, your post is truly priceless.

You should write a book! And every working photographer should buy it.

:))
 01/02/2011 10:40:37 AM · #56
Originally posted by sfalice:
Skip, your post is truly priceless.

You should write a book! And every working photographer should buy it.

:))

He already kinda has. :-P

Good read here -> Skip Rowland Photography, and here -> Skip

Would be nice in a book format, I agree. :-D
 01/02/2011 10:42:52 AM · #57
Teehee! Skip, I truly love your plan B! :-)
 01/02/2011 11:03:10 AM · #58
Heh, Skip your plan B was awesome :)

I have to admit that *MY* Plan B was to stick optical triggers on my flashes and go stand in all his shots with the flashes aimed right at his lens....
Luckily my professional side advised against that. :P

01/02/2011 11:23:49 AM · #59
I think you have totally missed a great opportunity. You were approached by a 'pro' photographer who offered you an apprenticeship. Firstly he must have been impressed with your handling of the event as it is not common to just offer an apprenticeship willy-nilly to just anyone. Secondly he must be extremely competent and busy to need someone to help his business grow.

Perhaps you should contact him via the details on his business card and express an interest in taking up his kind offer, of course you would need to know what qualifications the apprenticeship would lead to and what salary he would pay. It would help to establish his qualifications as well, due to the fact that he somehow overlooked including them on his website. I mean, a man of his undoubted ability should have some initials after his name.

If that fails, then adopt Skip's plan B! :))
 01/02/2011 11:34:06 AM · #60
I dont think its fair to criticize the guys photos, or his website. Like Simms said, while many shots dont have the WOW factor, they arent terrible either. The white vignettes might not be to our tastes, but for all we know, they could have been requested by the bride and groom.

What I think is the problem is that this guy is calling himself a professional photographer, who acted in a most unprofessional way. I think anyone here who has ever shot a wedding knows what it is like when novice family members try taking over shoots on the wedding day. Knowing that feeling, any 'pro' would completely avoid stepping on the toes of the hired photographer, to ensure that the photos are shot as smoothly as possible.

So while his photos are ok, and some are good, his professionalism stinks.
 01/02/2011 12:23:42 PM · #61
Kelly why not send him a link of this thread and allow him to defend himself.He might even learn something along the way..
 01/02/2011 12:40:30 PM · #62
Looked at both websites. This has been a very interesting thread to read. Thx!

Message edited by author 2011-01-04 11:05:24.
 01/02/2011 12:42:05 PM · #63
Originally posted by alans_world:
Kelly why not send him a link of this thread and allow him to defend himself.He might even learn something along the way..


I suppose that would only be fair. I'd be worried that it would just end
Up a flame war though.
 01/02/2011 12:45:35 PM · #64
Originally posted by punk_kaos:
Originally posted by alans_world:
Kelly why not send him a link of this thread and allow him to defend himself.He might even learn something along the way..


I suppose that would only be fair. I'd be worried that it would just end
Up a flame war though.


I think you are right to worry! He's someone that, IMHO, you'd be better off never communicating with again. Not worth the time or trouble.
 01/02/2011 12:52:05 PM · #65
Now available for your viewing pleasure ;-)
Plan B
 01/02/2011 12:57:45 PM · #66
Originally posted by Skip:
Now available for your viewing pleasure ;-)
Plan B


That is great. I love plan B. Perhaps all wedding photographers should carry a taser in their bag as well.
 01/02/2011 12:58:24 PM · #67
Thats just flat out funny.
 01/02/2011 01:06:33 PM · #68
Skip! You're baaaaaad.
:))
 01/02/2011 01:12:37 PM · #69
Just dont give them the photos, say he will if he's that good, and wait for them to be dissapointed and then realize they should of listened.
 01/02/2011 01:22:53 PM · #70
ROFL Skip!
 01/02/2011 01:33:07 PM · #71
I have a friend that shoots weddings occasionally. His tactic is to set ground rules at the beginning of the formals - All are welcome to take pictures of the poses we set up, if you use a flash, please wait until just after my flash fires. No one is offended, and everyone knows the ground rules. Most people will comply.
Of course, there is always Skip's approach for the occasional obliviot who won't.
01/02/2011 01:39:26 PM · #72
Heh...very funny Skip...

The Count:
17 "professional"
1 "rectal view"

Love it!
 01/02/2011 02:12:57 PM · #73
I prefer your work from the quick flip thru I had but who cares... what an ass.... Better ways to get layed then interfering with the wedding, since sounds like that might have been the motive for him apart from ego :-)
 01/03/2011 11:44:54 AM · #74
Hmmm, 3 out of 4 of your competition's wedding galleries are locked. There is nothing impressive about the photos in his unlocked one, though.

Unfortunately your own site doesn't offer much to compare with, but as others have said, that's besides the point.

01/03/2011 12:18:12 PM · #75
I concur.

Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by punk_kaos:
I was the official photographer with a signed contract and the bride introduced me before the wedding as such.

In which case you go to the people with whom you have the contract and say "I can't fulfill my contract with this guy in the way" and let them tell him to get lost. If you have a signed contract, you probably even have grounds to sue the guy -- haul him into small-claims court and see what a judge has to say ...
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