Whats up with guests...

I dont understand why guests feel compelled to take photos at weddings. I take that back, I understand most circumstances (taking photos during the reception, formals, with B&G etc. with a point and shoot) but I was shooting a wedding this weekend and it was absurd. During a Catholic ceremony (usual dark church) I had people in the back of the church taking photos with their cell phones - like they were the photographers. Moving from side to side, at the back, everywhere. And of course their phone made the fake shutter noise (and if lucky their "flash" went off). I just dont understand what they are going to do with these photos that will not turn out.

Im not angry or really ranting about it, I am just trying to find a good explanation on why people do this? Do they not trust us as photographers?

... because they can.

So they don't have to buy your photo's ?

Your guests don't get the photos you take so it's not that they don't trust you, you don't apply to them- just the bride and groom and their families do (and whoever else the bride and groom want to share their pics with). If I'm some obscure fourth cousin twice removed of the bride I may never even get a link to a gallery or anything. But I still might think the ceremony is beautiful or might want to update my Facebook with a pic of the ceremony. Maybe they're planning their own weddings and stealing ideas for their idea book.

I've always asked (sometimes, vocally on the spot) why they're taking their pictures when mine will be available through the B&G. I suppose it's a hold over from day of film when getting prints from the official photographer involved a high price, but that's just not true anymore. I wouldn't bring a camera to a wedding as a guest anymore.

I think people just enjoy taking pictures.

Surely you enjoyed taking photos before you became skilled at doing it?

I say the same thing when people are in the back of a concert and use their flash for the person 200 feet away. They just illuminate the crowd or the dudes head in front of them and it leaves the rest of the scene dark except for stage lighting. lol

I see this a lot too, I laugh if it's a little flip cell phone or something...but the new iPhones take pretty amazing photos and the ability to upload to facebook, twitter, flickr on the spot is making them very attractive. They will one day take over point and shoots.

At my last wedding I was shooting formal family photos and I had some "older gentleman" on my should with a Fuji disposible camera. Here I am trying to get the shots done as quickly as possible and have this guy telling them to stay put so he can wind up the next frame. It was pretty laughable and I just let him have at it...

timnosenzo wrote in post #11892961
I think people just enjoy taking pictures.

Yup. I think they would rather have photos they took themselves than to have to buy the professionally done photos. I think that's just the way people work...

I dont mind people taking photos, but what annoys me is if they come in the way or start directing the couple to turn around so they can get a photo of them front on!!!! really annoys me..

I was at a wedding last summer as a guest (no camera in hand) and the photographer was more interested in showing off his obviously new ff camera to guests then shooting the event. Several people had the good ole rebels in hand and one or two even had the 50d's. Ya he got the wedding ceremony done but there were no "shots of guests" as the b&g had requested. It was funny to watch...he sure was proud of that camera.

I actually encourage the guests to come forward to get their own pics. For example during the cutting of the cake, I will take charge and stand in front of the couple and prepare them for 'the shot'. Ask them not to cut into the cake just yet...Snap - Snap - Snap....then turn to the guests and invite them forward for their photo opp.

Don't forget, most point and shoot cameras (or certainly phone cameras) don't have the definition or resolution as a DSLR. So if the B&G should happen to be inundated by 640x480px images - imagine their reaction when you present hi-res 12MP+ works of art!

Guests have a perspective that the photographer doesn't, and vice versa.

If they use their cameraphone/P&S it's because they don't own or want to be the wanker with a digital SLR. If they use their digital SLR it's because a wedding is a perfect excuse for a keen amateur to lug it around.

As far as taking pictures in general...they do it for the same reason you pitch yourself to the couple. "Wedding photos are important mementos."

As far as not buying them from you...why bother? You're probably too expensive and/or too much hassle for just a few snaps. Guests NEVER bought photos from me. Only family has enough emotional stake in the whole deal to purchase pictures from the photographer.

tfizzle wrote in post #11893064
I say the same thing when people are in the back of a concert and use their flash for the person 200 feet away. They just illuminate the crowd or the dudes head in front of them and it leaves the rest of the scene dark except for stage lighting. lol

And they will still post those and the other 10 identical ones just like it, that they took, along with the completely OOF and blurred shots on fb and other social network sites.
That's what gets me, at least be selective and not just dump your whole SD card on the net for the world to see.