hired a photog & don't want to take pics! ?!!

[photography by trish]

hello POTN. i hope you're all well.

have you ever been hired to shoot a wedding by a couple that didn't enjoy or seem to want to have their pictures taken during the event? they would stop and wait for their family to take pics with their P&S cameras, but they really made me work to get those shots! (nothing wrong with that, i guess i just don't understand it!)

how do you handle something like that? i've only done 3 weddings and i have my fourth this coming sunday.

that happened to me last weekend and i wasn't sure how to respond. please share any tips you might have on overcoming this obstacle.

thanks everyone.

EDIT: if you're interested in seeing some of my shots, here's the link from POTN- http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=714131

[tim]

The photos reflect the time and effort people put into them. No effort = limited range and and poor photos. Just explain to them on the day you what you need to take good photos if they're not working with you, and if they don't co-operate do your best and give them whatever you product. People like that get the photos they deserve.

[photography by trish]

The photos reflect the time and effort people put into them. No effort = limited range and and poor photos. Just explain to them on the day you what you need to take good photos if they're not working with you, and if they don't co-operate do your best and give them whatever you product. People like that get the photos they deserve.


well that definitely shed some light on the situation. given the circumstances, i think i made it out pretty well.

and yes, they did not put very much effort into the wedding, although it turned out pretty well. they were putting the center pieces together an hour before the event!

thanks for sharing tim.

[Peacefield]

It's always part of my pre-wedding consultation with them. One of my questions is, "are you into it?" I ensure they understand that the pictures they've seen are beautiful because the couples were lively, engaged, and enjoyed creating these photographs. If they, as subjects, contribute less, they will get something less. All said in a postive way, of course.

[Mike]

For my very first wedding the bride said something along the lines of "this is my fourth wedding, I didn't have photographers for my first 3 and I didn't really want one for this one either..."
It puts something of a dampener of the thing from the word go but once the day came round everything was fine and we all had lots of fun. If the B+G are not too willing to take time out for a few staged shots then you'd be better off trying to get them more candidly.

[advaitin]

For my very first wedding the bride said something along the lines of "this is my fourth wedding, I didn't have photographers for my first 3 and I didn't really want one for this one either..."
It puts something of a dampener of the thing from the word go but once the day came round everything was fine and we all had lots of fun. If the B+G are not too willing to take time out for a few staged shots then you'd be better off trying to get them more candidly.

You weren't shooting for a wedding album, you were shooting evidence for the next divorce.

[RandyMN]

I can relate since I hate having my photos taken and I have been on the other side of the lens to know how the subject feels.

Maybe that's why I just try to have fun myself to allow them to do the same. You don’t need to win any entertainment awards with the subjects; just act with dedication and enjoyment and usually that will become contagious.

This same problem is evident in portraits and last weekend it was so funny as I was directing a group to open their eyes I did so by lifting my head and opening mine really wide only to see the group of like eight people do the same thing I just did! You wave and they wave back…

If they really wish to avoid the problem of being in front of the camera, then I’d suggest doing a photojournalist style and the trying a few formal shots if the situation allows it while they are too busy enjoying the event to fear the photo’s.

[photography by trish]

It's always part of my pre-wedding consultation with them. One of my questions is, "are you into it?" I ensure they understand that the pictures they've seen are beautiful because the couples were lively, engaged, and enjoyed creating these photographs. If they, as subjects, contribute less, they will get something less. All said in a postive way, of course.

ah! that's great stuff. i will have to start being more clear on those types of things. "contribute less, get something less" will definitely be in my vocab the next time around!

For my very first wedding the bride said something along the lines of "this is my fourth wedding, I didn't have photographers for my first 3 and I didn't really want one for this one either..."
It puts something of a dampener of the thing from the word go but once the day came round everything was fine and we all had lots of fun. If the B+G are not too willing to take time out for a few staged shots then you'd be better off trying to get them more candidly.

oh my. i'm now deciding on where i draw the line in weddings. what you just said may be where i draw the line. i guess it's because i really didn't like shooting a couple that seemed "not into it."

i just hate when clients have unrealistic expectations even after you tell them they are unrealistic!

I can relate since I hate having my photos taken and I have been on the other side of the lens to know how the subject feels.

Maybe that's why I just try to have fun myself to allow them to do the same. You don’t need to win any entertainment awards with the subjects; just act with dedication and enjoyment and usually that will become contagious.

This same problem is evident in portraits and last weekend it was so funny as I was directing a group to open their eyes I did so by lifting my head and opening mine really wide only to see the group of like eight people do the same thing I just did! You wave and they wave back…

If they really wish to avoid the problem of being in front of the camera, then I’d suggest doing a photojournalist style and the trying a few formal shots if the situation allows it while they are too busy enjoying the event to fear the photo’s.

i can understand not enjoying getting my photos taken because i got married too! it took forever and i was impatient for LOT OF REASONS! i also knew how much it cost us and wanted to make the most out of the moment. by the end of the night i was doing some fake smiles, but at least i tried!

[HMetal]

For my very first wedding the bride said something along the lines of "this is my fourth wedding, I didn't have photographers for my first 3 and I didn't really want one for this one either..."

Wow, that's crazy. Although I would love the extra income, I would have simply declined my services and asked them to find another photographer who is more willing to work with individuals who do not want to be photographed.

This may sound like a harsh way to deal with it, but not only are they affected if the photos are not "up to par" with our typical work. Our reputation and work is our legacy. We should protect our reputation as photographer (through our photography if we are professionals) and make sure to consult with the bride and groom well in advance. If they are people who do not like to be photographed, then I'm sure there are a lot of family members who bought an entry level digital SLR to "shoot sum kool pix." ;)

[JWright]

hello POTN. i hope you're all well.

have you ever been hired to shoot a wedding by a couple that didn't enjoy or seem to want to have their pictures taken during the event? they would stop and wait for their family to take pics with their P&S cameras, but they really made me work to get those shots! (nothing wrong with that, i guess i just don't understand it!)

how do you handle something like that? i've only done 3 weddings and i have my fourth this coming sunday.

that happened to me last weekend and i wasn't sure how to respond. please share any tips you might have on overcoming this obstacle.

thanks everyone.

The last wedding i shot was at the request of a family friend. It was her niece getting married. The bride never once commented on the photos or said thank you for shooting the wedding. To this day whenever I see at a gathering put on by our friend she doesn't even acknowledge my presence.

I was already in the process of giving up on wedding photography, but this was the capper. My feeling about the genre are reflected in my signature...

[photography by trish]

The last wedding i shot was at the request of a family friend. It was her niece getting married. The bride never once commented on the photos or said thank you for shooting the wedding. To this day whenever I see at a gathering put on by our friend she doesn't even acknowledge my presence.

I was already in the process of giving up on wedding photography, but this was the capper. My feeling about the genre are reflected in my signature...

i think that when the photography is paid for by someone else the work is easily devalued. it sucks, because you could come up with some great stuff, and since it is free to them, they can easily be ungrateful since they probably never even shopped for a wedding photographer before! i think that's what happened to me....twice (sad to say)! fortunately, i still had a great time although the couple seemed to be clueless.