Other photographers at a wedding

[locky]

Well I will not actually call them photographers but so far I have shot 3 weddings this summer and each time I have to deal with relatives with their P&S's. We are usually on a time schedule and its kinda hard trying to get all the pictures in within our time limit with the Auntie saying look over here and say cheese. The one I did this weekend there were 3 people trying to take pictures while I'm trying to get them to look at me. As Im editing the pics every few shots there will be one or two of the wedding party looking at another camera. I have 2 more weddings scheduled so far this summer/fall and Im trying to figure out what I should do. Do I say sorry no pictures while im shooting or just go along with it and explain to the bride and groom afterwards why some of the pictures you have people looking in other directions.

So my question is: How do you handle such situations?

[JWright]

Well I will not actually call them photographers but so far I have shot 3 weddings this summer and each time I have to deal with relatives with their P&S's. We are usually on a time schedule and its kinda hard trying to get all the pictures in within our time limit with the Auntie saying look over here and say cheese. The one I did this weekend there were 3 people trying to take pictures while I'm trying to get them to look at me. As Im editing the pics every few shots there will be one or two of the wedding party looking at another camera. I have 2 more weddings scheduled so far this summer/fall and Im trying to figure out what I should do. Do I say sorry no pictures while im shooting or just go along with it and explain to the bride and groom afterwards why some of the pictures you have people looking in other directions.

So my question is: How do you handle such situations?

I handled it by quitting wedding photography...

[david lee]

Yep, I have the same problems over this side of the pond Locky, I hate wedding guests who bully you for their shot and steal the eyes of the bride and groom.
Not sure how to deal with it with 100% success but I think the best way is to be Assertive and nice at the same time. People are like sheep when they are in a group and they have to be herded like sheep.

What I usually do is get all the congregation in the photo for the first shot, that way there is no one else able to take photos because they are all in front of me LOL,

Naturally when I start to whittle them down to smaller groups, the other guests start firing up their "P A E S A T S" (Point and eventually shoot after twenty seconds) and stand next to me hoping to get that pulitzer prize entry.
Its at this point that I say to my subjects, "I don't mind anyone taking photos but I MUST have you looking at me"
I am quiet forceful at this point and make sure they know I am in charge.

But Nice Nice Nice all the way.

[tim]

I refuse to take a photo when anyone else is pointing a camera at my subject, and I tell them politely why - people don't know which camera to look at. I try not to let anyone stand behind me at all, but if I must I tell them to put their cameras down and take a photo after me.

Confidence is key to most things at weddings.

[Peacefield]

I understand people want these shots (though I kinda don't as the couple will have all of my images on DVD to share), but I just announce that I need everyone to wait while I get the "paid" shot, work quickly (as I do anyway), then give them two minutes to fire all their own and I set up for the next shot. It's easier to manage it than either allow it to happen on its own or even fight it.

[Tommy]

I refuse to take a photo when anyone else is pointing a camera at my subject, and I tell them politely why - people don't know which camera to look at. I try not to let anyone stand behind me at all, but if I must I tell them to put their cameras down and take a photo after me.

Confidence is key to most things at weddings.

+1

Also, I tell the couple (during our final meeting) that this behavior extends to time it takes to the snap the formals (if they're choosing to have formals done). And by doing so, they lose out on time for the "fun" shots. So I tell them it's up to them to tell their guests not to interrupt the session like this.

Now if you think your situation was bad... during last week's wedding, the PASTOR actually told everyone that after I take the photo, I would move out of the way and let them all get their shots... haha!! He never even spoke to me about it first. But I just mentioned to the couple that it's taking too long, and they put a stop to it...

[shaggymatt]

Tell everyone that is hanging around ahead of time that they are free to take pictures after you've gotten the shots that you need. You will instruct them when they can take their pictures. We usually do this for the first few formals, people seem to get tired of it, and start putting away their cameras. Like Tim said, confidence is key, make that establishment of authority up front.

I also have something in the contract, but we all know that the B&G aren't going to say anything to their guests about it.

[stathunter]

I refuse to take a photo when anyone else is pointing a camera at my subject, and I tell them politely why - people don't know which camera to look at. I try not to let anyone stand behind me at all, but if I must I tell them to put their cameras down and take a photo after me.

Confidence is key to most things at weddings.

I agree. I put my camera down and wait until everyone is done - often the bride will give the evil eye to the people with the cameras and tell them enough - I then take my shots.

[Bobster]

Tell everyone that is hanging around ahead of time that they are free to take pictures after you've gotten the shots that you need. You will instruct them when they can take their pictures. We usually do this for the first few formals, people seem to get tired of it, and start putting away their cameras. Like Tim said, confidence is key, make that establishment of authority up front.

I also have something in the contract, but we all know that the B&G aren't going to say anything to their guests about it.
+1 :)