No photography allowed of ceremony....

[breal101]

I've done a few weddings in the past, the last one about 12 years ago. I never had this situation before, the church policy is no photography allowed during the ceremony. I'm planning on faking a few shots with the B&G and the priest in the 20 minutes the church allows after the ceremony. Since my business is commercial advertising I'm no stranger to faking shots. Also maybe getting the bridal party in position as well as some formals with the party in front of the sanctuary. My question is just how common this policy is and how do you deal with it?

[SuzyView]

Always here in the Catholic churches, and that is fine. The Priest allows us to shoot the couple and party gathering in the front, then we take the flashes off and use our fast lenses. It's not bad if you know what you are doing. I actually expect not to use flash as I am distracted when I attend weddings where photographers flash during the ceremony.

[JeffreyG]

Always here in the Catholic churches, and that is fine. The Priest allows us to shoot the couple and party gathering in the front, then we take the flashes off and use our fast lenses. It's not bad if you know what you are doing. I actually expect not to use flash as I am distracted when I attend weddings where photographers flash during the ceremony.

OP said 'no photography' which is not typical and of course there is no work around that obeys this rule in any way and still yields up pictures.

Since it is the church's rule, you can only make the best of it with staged shots before or after the ceremony. If there is any way to get the officiant to stick around then shooting after the ceremony as this will allow you to watch the ceremony first and then stage it from memory.

[hawk911]

my last wedding the pastor said I couldn't move during the ceremony, which was limiting enough. NO photographs would be worse.

[cdifoto]

It's so common that I've yet to run into it. :)

[SuzyView]

Sorry, I didn't catch that no photography was allowed. I never had to shoot a wedding that didn't allow any during the ceremony in a chapel, but in the wedding shoots I do (LDS Temple ones) no one even goes into the temple with a camera. We only shoot after wedding portraits outside. So, this is normal for me. I shoot mostly LDS outside after the ceremony is over and then the reception.

[JeffreyG]

It's so common that I've yet to run into it. :)

I've heard of 'no flash' and 'no moving around' but I have to admit that 'no photography' is the most restrictive.

[breal101]

The church sent a letter outlining the policy, no photography at all during the ceremony. They don't allow cell phone pictures or P&S from the guests, anyone doing it is first warned and then removed if they do it again. I know, it sounds strange to me too, but there's not much I can do except stage something afterward. Just wanted to know if it was uncommon and so far I guess it is.

[cdifoto]

You just do what you can and it's on the couple to be satisfied with it. It''s not your fault that they chose that church. Just make sure the couple are fully aware of this rule. Discuss it with them in advance so there are no surprises.

[Yeoer]

I've had no video allowed before which is fine because i take stills... but that's because the church... get this... doesn't want any silly happenings sent into the tv shows... 100% honest.

Usually its just no flash photography during the service, no shots while the couple sign the register (you pose them after) and keep movement to a minium.

[JeffreyG]

I've had no video allowed before which is fine because i take stills... but that's because the church... get this... doesn't want any silly happenings sent into the tv shows... 100% honest.


Their officiant must be a real ham.

[Optiq]

That kind of thing shouldn't be tolerated by the folks who hired the church. They should find another church. If enough folks did that, the problem would go away. Either way it doesn't seem like it should be the photographers problem. It's between the wedding party and the church.

[breal101]

You just do what you can and it's on the couple to be satisfied with it. It''s not your fault that they chose that church. Just make sure the couple are fully aware of this rule. Discuss it with them in advance so there are no surprises.


The bride is the one who first told me about the policy, she isn't happy about it but there isn't anything to do now. The bride is a family member and I know her as not being overly emotional so it should work out OK. She was opposed to staging the shots at first until I explained that we have family out of the country who won't know the difference and will appreciate the pictures.

[SuzyView]

I think that is a good compromise, staging. It's done all the time, as things are missed during the ceremony shots. But in some chapels, even staging is not allowed, especially in the sanctuary.

[JeffreyG]

That kind of thing shouldn't be tolerated by the folks who hired the church. They should find another church. If enough folks did that, the problem would go away. Either way it doesn't seem like it should be the photographers problem. It's between the wedding party and the church.

Well, most people don't 'hire' a church like they are picking out a caterer or photographer. They live their lives within their religion and then one day they get married at the church that they attend normally.

[stathunter]

I would not worry about it - you have to work within the limitations given. I have a section in my contract that discusses this.

[breal101]

I'm really not worried, for me it works out better, in my line of work I tend to be a bit of a control freak. Staging shots comes naturally to me and when I have to do an important award I insist on staging it as well as shooting it live. The ceremony is the most out of control part of the wedding for me so I'm good with it. It's their policy so I have to do the best I can.

[shaftmaster]

I would think the pastor would be the one to decide whether photography is allowed during the ceremony. It's his religious ceremony so he should set the rules. If the church is setting the rules it seems odd to me.

For my wedding the pastor said no photography during the actual ceremony, but before and after was fine, and a stationary video camera was fine. He didn't want a photographer moving around and making noise during the ceremony. I assume that is a pretty standard rule.

[cdifoto]

The bride is the one who first told me about the policy, she isn't happy about it but there isn't anything to do now. The bride is a family member and I know her as not being overly emotional so it should work out OK. She was opposed to staging the shots at first until I explained that we have family out of the country who won't know the difference and will appreciate the pictures.
That's good then. You and she will be fine. :)

[tim]

During all parts of the day you have to work within whatever limits are imposed. It's not your problem, just make sure the B&G know in advance what effect the limitations will have - ie not ceremony photos.

[JasonBr]

Can you wait until the chance to get a few great shots and then get your 'warning'?

[DennisW1]

I've done a few weddings in the past, the last one about 12 years ago. I never had this situation before, the church policy is no photography allowed during the ceremony. I'm planning on faking a few shots with the B&G and the priest in the 20 minutes the church allows after the ceremony. Since my business is commercial advertising I'm no stranger to faking shots. Also maybe getting the bridal party in position as well as some formals with the party in front of the sanctuary. My question is just how common this policy is and how do you deal with it?


It's been several years since I left the wedding business, but I never ran into an "absolutely no photography during the ceremony" restriction. I did, however, encounter many churches that were fairly restrictive in their policies regarding photography during wedding ceremonies.

This sounds like a church that has had some bad expriences with both guests and wedding photographers and has simply decided to put an end to it all together. The best advice I can offer is to make the best of it.

Your strategy to pose the important shots after the ceremony is the best plan, and I might suggest taking a moment before the ceremony to introduce youself to the priest/pastor/minister and confirm with him that you understand the church's photography policy, and make sure that he will be willing to work with you and the B&G after the ceremony.
Believe it or not, that simple act in many cases does more to put you the photographer in good standing with the priest than you might think.

And for all of the wedding photographers who will follow you in weddings after that, a sincere "thank you" in advance for not trying to challenge the church's policies or even worse, to try and "sneak one in" when you think the priest isn't looking.

[DennisW1]

Can you wait until the chance to get a few great shots and then get your 'warning'?

Please tell me you're kidding.

[breal101]

It's been several years since I left the wedding business, but I never ran into an "absolutely no photography during the ceremony" restriction. I did, however, encounter many churches that were fairly restrictive in their policies regarding photography during wedding ceremonies.

This sounds like a church that has had some bad expriences with both guests and wedding photographers and has simply decided to put an end to it all together. The best advice I can offer is to make the best of it.

Your strategy to pose the important shots after the ceremony is the best plan, and I might suggest taking a moment before the ceremony to introduce youself to the priest/pastor/minister and confirm with him that you understand the church's photography policy, and make sure that he will be willing to work with you and the B&G after the ceremony.
Believe it or not, that simple act in many cases does more to put you the photographer in good standing with the priest than you might think.


And for all of the wedding photographers who will follow you in weddings after that, a sincere "thank you" in advance for not trying to challenge the church's policies or even worse, to try and "sneak one in" when you think the priest isn't looking.


From what they say in the letter they sent the bride they consider the ceremony to be a holy sacrament and as such they don't allow photography. I have to respect that. In the few weddings I've done in the past I always had a talk with the officiant beforehand to get the guidelines. In this case the priest is a temporary assignment to the church and it's not his policy, but theirs. I will have a chat with him to make sure he can stay for some staged shots. Apparently they even provide the ushers who enforce the policy, a bit unusual as well I think. I'm supposed to get a letter from them with a form I have to sign and return that says I understand their policy, they're really serious about.

[Bobster]

Can you wait until the chance to get a few great shots and then get your 'warning'?

Please tell me you're kidding.
ahh the Becker of its easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission..

[Mark_48]

I had the photo ban happen to me a many years ago (shooting with film era) and the only workaround was staging of the ceremony. I don't know if there's a better way to go about it, but we reassembled the B&G, wedding party, and minister back at the alter right after the real ceremony and exit concluded. It was a bit awkward in some ways, but I was able to get in close for shots I never could have gotten during the real thing. Be careful not to include the empty pews that have no family or guests like I did on a couple shots.

[DennisW1]

ahh the Becker of its easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission..

That's a very cute and over-used phrase, but in this case, no it really isn't.

Most likely this "ban" came about from the bad behavrior of people, wedding pros included, with cameras. The belief by many clergy that the wedding is a sacred ceremony is still pretty common, and depending upon the individual church and pastor, how they keep its sanctity varies. Like it or not, it's their church and they have a perfect right to make and enforce any rules they choose. You are a guest, period.

So, you decide to bend or outright break a few rules? Despite how stealthy you think you might be, the pastor or minister has a darn good view of everything going on in the church from up in front, and after probably a few hundred weddings can spot a wedding photographer sneaking around fairly easily. At that point you risk getting a finger waved at you, or worse a verbal repremand in the middle of the ceremony. At very worst you could be asked to leave, right then and there. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen.

I was the photographer at a Greek Orthodox wedding where the rules were very strict, and we obeyed them, period. This couple had also hired a videographer who apparently thought he was covering a major breaking news story. He also charged them big bucks for the day. In the middle of the ceremony, after having gotten the "eye" twice from the pastor, and finally a verbal warning, he continued to do as he pleased. The ceremony was stopped, and he was ordered to leave the premises. By the way, that also included the reception hall attached to the church. He was not allowed entrance to that either. Day ruined as far as the video was concerned, and after that video was no longer permitted in that church at all. This was years ago, that pastor has since retired, and since I no longer shoot weddings I've not been in there in years. I might guess that the ban has been lifted, but the point is the actions of that one individual not only caused him a lot of grief but made things more difficult for people following him.

Anyway, back to our original discussion. You've just been booted out of the church for failing to follow their guidelines on photography during the ceremony, as you were very clearly instructed on beforehand. Now what? You are NOT going to get the rest of the photographs that you have been paid to get. You've just effectively ruined the bride and groom's day as far as photographs are concerned, and have placed yourself in a rather uncomfortable position both professionally and possibly legally.

If you're really thinking ahead you might also realize that you've just made it all that much harder on every photographer following you in that church. Piss the pastor off enough and he too might just decide not to let ANYONE take ANY photographs in the church before, during, or after ANY wedding, period. Yep, that will be damn unpopular with the members of his congregation wanting to get married there, but that's their battle to fight, not yours or any other photographer's.

Just something to think about the next time you're tempted to "sneak one in"