A recent petition featured in the National News by 900 Wedding Photographers  & Videographers is asking the Church, mainly Vicars, to stop acting in a rude and  aggressive way towards them.

In 20 years as a wedding photographer only once have I experienced tension from the vicar and I believe that this could have been avoided if the couple had done as I asked and mentioned what they wanted of their photographer to the vicar ahead of the ceremony.

What is often missed by wedding photographers is that a wedding ceremony is a special moment and should be captured discreetly. I have heard and witnessed behaviour from photographers that is less than discreet. I once had to stop a new assistant from crawling on the floor in the church to get a different angle on the proceedings. It may also be urban myth, but one photography allegedly asked for the rings exchange to be done again, because they didn’t get the shot the first time. This clearly if true is not acceptable and very unprofessional.

It is very important for your photographer to work with the vicar, priest or registrar to make sure that the ceremony goes smoothly and there really aren’t any misunderstandings or tension. A meeting with them prior to the ceremony is always done by myself where possible, and most are very open to this and welcome such dialog.

Also as part of any wedding consultation I  would encourage the couple to discuss ahead of the day what coverage they want from their photographer or videographer. Whilst also expressing these wishes to the person conducting the ceremony. Useful phrases can be that the photographer is an experienced wedding photographer, who doesn’t use flash during the ceremony and is always discreet.

Some vicars could well ask for coverage only from the back of the church, this is far from ideal but a good place for a second photographer to be positioned with one at the front keeping out of the way as much as possible, to get that all important detailed shots.  Videographers do have the advantage of leaving a video camera running at the front of the church if they cannot be present there themselves. For photographers remote shooting that way is harder but not impossible.

I recently attended a wedding as a guest where it seemed the whole day was a photoshoot, if this is what the couple wants that is fine, if others providing a service can also work with that. But to me as an experienced wedding photographer there is a subtle line that provides the agreed coverage of the day without disrupting the flow of it unduly.

The main thing to take away is that there should not be any  “rude or aggressive behaviour” if you use a experienced photographer who can be diplomatic and understands everyones needs, including the those performing the ceremony and most importantly those of the wedding couple because that is what we are all really there for … a perfect day !