Can't use a big camera? Need advice

If other people are taking pictures with a P&S it makes even less sense, you are being put out so to speak because of your camera gear, sounds like he's jealous and a control freak.

I still have to come back to why would you want to bring expensive gear to a wedding? When I go to a party I don't bring my big camera, I bring a small P&S... and that is IF I want to shoot pictures at the party. I rather want to be social, drink, eat and have fun. I am not building a portfolio at a party (or at least I shouldn't!)

People have different ideas on what is fun. I personally enjoy lugging all my camera gear around to the point of when my arms start to crumble. You should be building a portfolio everywhere, LOL. I hat point and shoots though.

I want to come practice my hobby at everyone's regular job. Can I tell you to sod off if it bothers you that I am in your workplace, getting in your way, and have the attitude of a moron who thinks he has a clue as to how to really stay out of your way?

How about if I tell your boss I will do your job for free, since I really like it there and it's fun!

I can see how he could say that if he was literally doing a photoshoot or something. A wedding is a public event in my eye and therefore everyone should have the right to shoot. If he is a pro then him images will be better than anyone else's there (most likely). I personally would never tell someone that they could not shoot an event just because I am.

TaDa wrote in post #7621586
Imagine if you were the photographer, and the B&G come in to look at their proofs and keep asking "Why are folks looking that way so many times".

That, for me, is the key to everything! Nothing worse than trying to take a group shot and the people in the picture haven't a clue which camera to look at (some really are that stupid!). Let the pro' take his or her pictures, then try and grab one AFTER he/she has got the formal ones. I don't do weddings, but it drives me mad when I'm doing team pictures etc.

Yes, I do agree with that as far as group shots go, people seem to get really confused when there is multiple photographers with "pro" looking cameras pointed all at them.

Well for the things I know now, I would not think twice for trying to upstage a pro photog anymore. I will bring my POWERSHOT SD880 IS now and take a few pics here and there.

My college frat us to have a saying "to the wannabees hang it up." Those of you who show up to a wedding with your gear wanting capture photos better then the pro hired to do the job should be ashamed of yourselfs. That day is not about you living out your dreams or you trying to capture materials to build up pictures to start your own business. its about the bride and groom that you came to see as a guest getting the most for their money no matter how much they paid.

I tell couples the sad fact of weddings is that they lose a friend and gain a spouse. You!! should be that lost!! you are not respecting the wishes of that photographer you are respecting the couple who hired that pro. Would you show up to the wedding with your version of an wedding cake, or would you direct people to your backyard instead of the hall? No. so why impose on the photographer.

remember this if you were good enough they would have hired you. I had a bride tell us she was going to go with a friend that wanted to be a photographer then thought she wanted her images to be special so she hired us.

if you want to still shoot after reading this post ask the bride or groom check with the pro and see if he/she minds. If you care about the couple then you will respect their answer.

Jacobredphoto wrote in post #7621791
IA wedding is a public event in my eye and therefore everyone should have the right to shoot.

A wedding is not a public event, it's a private party. The only thing public with a wedding is the wedding ceremony if it takes place in a church, as that is part of a sermon/mass, something that anyone outside can join.

Rebel450D_Addict wrote in post #7621965
Well for the things I know now, I would not think twice for trying to upstage a pro photog anymore. I will bring my POWERSHOT SD880 IS now and take a few pics here and there.

My bold here. This is a mature conclusion after being "burnt". Thanks!

And I think that your above wording is exactly what it's all about in some people's mind (mainly guys). They want to upstage the pro, in some odd competitive pissing contest way.

Like I've said before, I doubt the pro is feeling insecure, but the person who needs to try to upstage the pro is. Just enjoy the darn party already! Let the pro worry about his/her images.

Walking right up to the pro while he/she is doing a shoot is NOT staying clear and keeping your distance...if everyone with a $1000 camera did so no work could get done...

As for taking photos of the crowd, I just stay around my own table and shot from there...At a recent reception I attended, the family put a PnS disposable cam at each table to be collected afterwards...so there were plenty of cameras around....

BUT getting up and roaming around the hall taking snaps smacks of amateurism (even if the roamer is a pro) getting in the way of a pro trying to earn a living...shooting without a flash, at scenes WELL AWAY from the one being shot by the pro is what I mean by keeping a low profile and giving the pro his/her space.

Shooting THE SAME group as the pro is disrespectful...causin​g the possible distraction of another camera to look at...of flashes going off while the pro trying to do his job is just plain wrong...

oh i forgot when i go to a wedding that im not the pro, I take my wifes powershot point and shoot and i let my wife take the pictures so that i can be in them

"Public" was the wrong wording I suppose. I meant public in terms of whom is invited.

Jacobredphoto wrote in post #7622062
"Public" was the wrong wording I suppose. I meant public in terms of whom is invited.

And as a guest, you should respect the host's choices, right?

turaund1 wrote in post #7622029
My college frat us to have a saying "to the wannabees hang it up." Those of you who show up to a wedding with your gear wanting capture photos better then the pro hired to do the job should be ashamed of yourselfs. That day is not about you living out your dreams or you trying to capture materials to build up pictures to start your own business. its about the bride and groom that you came to see as a guest getting the most for their money no matter how much they paid.

I tell couples the sad fact of weddings is that they lose a friend and gain a spouse. You!! should be that lost!! you are not respecting the wishes of that photographer you are respecting the couple who hired that pro. Would you show up to the wedding with your version of an wedding cake, or would you direct people to your backyard instead of the hall? No. so why impose on the photographer.

remember this if you were good enough they would have hired you. I had a bride tell us she was going to go with a friend that wanted to be a photographer then thought she wanted her images to be special so she hired us.

if you want to still shoot after reading this post ask the bride or groom check with the pro and see if he/she minds. If you care about the couple then you will respect their answer.

Right to the point, 100% agree!