How to Stay Out of the Way! Wedding Photographer Wants to Know...

[CaityB]

I searched for some threads, but realized that this forum is far too large for me to be able to really find something like this.

This is something a lot of photographers worry about in their beginning years, I'm sure. How do we stay out of the way and get the photos we need? You know those nice closeups of the couple dancing, and the emotions around the room from the guests?

I suppose I might be answering my own question here, but a telephoto lens? We're not all ninjas after all ;)

How do you maneuver yourself around the room?

[shaggymatt]

There is a bit of an expectation that you are the paid professional that you will be up close and personal with the couple most of the day. Be polite yet professional, you have to establish yourself.

You can't be in the second tier for cake cutting, and so on. You'll actually be working with the couple for the best positioning, and in many cases, telling them how to hold the knife, etc. On the dance floor, again, you will be up there with them, first dance, you're on the floor with them. Sometimes a zoom is key (candids), but other times, you have to use the sneaker zoom to capture the emotion.

The one area that I try at all costs to avoid is being in the zone behind the couple and the back of the church, or wherever the couple is being wed. In other words, I don't want to be in direct facing view of the guests. To me, that is the only real off limits area, unless the officiant t gives me further instruction of where we can't be!

[form]

The one area that I try at all costs to avoid is being in the zone behind the couple and the back of the church, or wherever the couple is being wed. In other words, I don't want to be in direct facing view of the guests. To me, that is the only real off limits area, unless the officiant t gives me further instruction of where we can't be!

This is actually a great spot to get a candid of parents looking on at the B&G during the ceremony; unfortunately it's usually not an allowed spot for the photographer to be in churches.

[CaityB]

I have a vineyard wedding coming up, so I figure during the ceremony I'll have free reign, but I'll have to look further into that.

I'm talking during the reception. I've been looking at other photographer sites, and some of the testimonials rave about how the photographer was barely noticeable, never "got in the way" and was awesome to work with because they made the day really about the couple. One wedding I did felt close to that, but another one was much more difficult. In short, the bride avoided me at all costs, and whenever she did see me if she had been smiling before, she stopped and wouldn't smile again for a while (but I talked to her later and she said she hadn't noticed, so I don't really know). I'm new to all this, but I really want to offer the best I can. I want those closeups, but I don't want them to really feel me taking the photo... So maybe it's something I'll learn...

[shaggymatt]

This is actually a great spot to get a candid of parents looking on at the B&G during the ceremony; unfortunately it's usually not an allowed spot for the photographer to be in churches.

Yep, you can usually hit that from the behind side though with the 70-200. I just don't want to be in that straight lineup, guests, B&G, pastor, then me!

[tim]

You have to balance discretion versus doing what you're paid for. Sometimes you're in the way, but that's ok, it means the B&G have photo and memories vs guests not having a view for a few seconds.

[DennisW1]

I searched for some threads, but realized that this forum is far too large for me to be able to really find something like this.

This is something a lot of photographers worry about in their beginning years, I'm sure. How do we stay out of the way and get the photos we need? You know those nice closeups of the couple dancing, and the emotions around the room from the guests?

I suppose I might be answering my own question here, but a telephoto lens? We're not all ninjas after all ;)

How do you maneuver yourself around the room?

It's NOT about staying out of the way, it's about doing your job....and in some cases that means you're going to be obvious. There's a big difference between being obvious and obnoxious, as in dance shots. You do not need 100 dance shots. You need the principals obviously, mabye a couple overall of the dance floor with the wedding party dancing, and that's about it. Get your important ones and go sit down. Other than the B&G, or the B&G with their parents, rarely do dance shots sell. Get what you need and go sit down, you're done with that part of it.

Cake, Garter, Bouquet, those are all important shots that require your direction and presence out front otherwise you're going to get nothing but pictures of the backs of people who got in your way because you let them

Same goes for any of the important shots. You're going to be obvious, that's your job.

[SuzyView]

I always wear black, and wear quiet black shoes when I shoot weddings. People tend to respect the pro working, knowing it's part of the job to get the pictures. At the receptions, I use the 70-200 2.8 IS, as stated above, is the best lens for bad lighting and no flash. I can get nice candids as well as not be "in your face" with the B&G cake cutting, dancing shots, etc. I find this work very satisfying, but I've been shooting for several years now. Confidence and experience is the key.

[form]

During the ceremony is probably when the photographer is the most in evidence. It's quiet, the focus is in one direction, nothing is moving quickly after the processional except the photographer, and there are many different angled shots to be had during the ceremony that require lots of moving around. A lot of people do get annoyed if you spend much time in front of them, especially older people.

I could never use the 70-200 f/2.8L IS for most receptions because there's not enough light and I don't want to be shooting at ISO3200 all the time. It would be a useless lens for the cake cutting because the crowd gathers around really close and I have to be even closer to get a view of the B&G, so I need a wide lens. Dancing shots I can get with the 85L and 35L, but sometimes longer reach produces a nice effect. But, there has to be enough light, and no dancing area I've shot in so far has enough ambient light for an f/2.8 lens.

[SuzyView]

Last ceremony I covered I had 2 shooters with me so we didn't move around. The Priest didn't want anyone to move or use flash, so we each took a spot and stayed there. Worked great. It is annoying when I attend a wedding I'm not shooting and the pros move around too much for my taste. Discussions with the paying party is the key. I discuss my style with the clients beforehand and everyone then knows what to expect. I do use flash when I need to at receptions, but I avoid it. In most cases, when the lighting is good, I can get away with some nice candids without flash.

When I see some of the work here that I consider outstanding, the pro has a talent for positioning him/herself where the point of view is perfect. It is skill and talent mostly, not by chance. Maybe if the OP wants to do the wedding thing seriously, following a pro is the best way to go.