Appropriate Wedding Shots?

[Mark_48]

At a wedding I photographed not to long ago, I captured the Bride being hugged by one of her best friends as she wished her good luck and such. The friend was crying and was quite noticable in the picture. I had included this shot with the proofs and I had actually thought it was quite good as it captured the love and feelings of the friendship. Now I had heard throught the grapevine that the friend was not at all pleased with this particular display of her emotions and had wished that it had not been included with the proofs or even taken. I'm usually sensitive to not photograph anybody that would cause embarassment or bad feelings for anyone and I did not feel this photograph did this in any way.
What are others' experiences with this and is it just best to avoid these shots or at least not present them out for view.

[IndyJeff]

A good rule of thumb is to never photograph anyone at anytime they are not looking their best. If you do, drop the shot in the editting process.

[Claire]

Hm, pardon my ignorance, but I thought weddings were all about emotions?? (happy ones that is!)

[tbfoto]

Does this mean that I have to edit out all those shots where the bride and groom have just pushed cake up each others noses? :D Those shots are always $$$$.

No, really I know what IndyJeff is saying. From what your describing though, I would have included it as well.

[Gus00]

Don't try to read minds and shoot for your customer, not their friends. If you are compelled to take a photo, take it. If it's good include it in the proofs. Then if nobody likes it, it won't be chosen.

[robertwgross]

Let me see if I have this right. The B&G are paying the photographer's fee, right?

The B&G, or the parents of the B&G, are paying for the entire wedding event, right? And the guests were invited?

If the photographer just happens to be at the right place and at the right time for a sensitive scene, then that is just fine with me. If the B&G choose that shot for a print, or have it in their album, then that is just fine. If the weeping guest chooses not to purchase a print, then that is just fine also.

---Bob Gross---

[JX]

Dear Mark_48,



I don’t think that you should worry about the Bride’s friend too much. After all she is not your customer. The question is did the B&G like the photo?



I did Wedding photography for one year. That all I could take. I could not handle all politics. You can be the Ansel Adams of Wedding Photography and take the most perfect pictures, and there is always going to be someone who does not like the way they look in the photograph.



I love reading Bloo Dog’s post about his wedding photography adventures. They remind me of why I got out of wedding photography.



Good Luck