Do you ever stand halfway down the aisle?

I was attending a wedding last weekend and the photog decided to walk halfway down the aisle and take pictures from there. I thought she might just move down, take a couple of pics and move back, but she stayed there for the duration of the ceremony.

I'm assuming she was using a 70-200 f/4, although it seemed pretty small compared to my 2.8, not sure if there is another white tele out there?

anyway, it seemed odd for her to be standing in the middle of the aisle in what was a very small venue.

I'm not sure what you're suggesting here. Are you surprised that she wasn't near the front more ?

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #16311500
I'm not sure what you're suggesting here. Are you surprised that she wasn't near the front more ?

I've only shot a couple of weddings, back in the film days, but we worked from the back and sides of the room. Generally one at the back and one down front to minimize movement. The person down front was generally charged with shooting the bride and stayed on the groom's side.

I just found it curious that she just stood there throughout the entire ceremony waiting for the next shot. I understand that you don't want a lot of movement, but to me this just seemed weird. She was bolt upright and at least half the time she was just standing with her camera at her side. The wedding "hall" could not have been more than 30-40 feet from front to back.

I have to admit that part of the reason I feel this was odd is due to my own insecurity and views about not being seen photographing an event. If I'm doing event photography, I will do my best to shoot from the perimeter.

I ask mainly because I plan to start booking some weddings and want to see what is generally accepted these days.

I take your point about the oddness of shooting from a fixed position. It's possible that the venue demanded that.

In terms of what is generally accepted these days, I'd say it depends on the region, obviously. I've shot 60 weddings; and of those 60 I would say I was restricted to stay at the halfway point (or where guests started in the pews) only 1 time. For the other 59 weddings I had pretty much free reign, and so I would do a lot of shooting from the aisle, just behind the first set of chairs / pews, and as far up along the perimeter.

I should add that I also try to pride myself on being as non-intrusive as possible, and that I always consult the venue, officiants and the couple to determine what restrictions there are on my movement.

Thanks for your point of view.

It was a very laid back wedding and not in a church. Uncle Bob was on the front row, up and down, and back and forth with his iphone throughout the event. LOL

^ haha. I once shot a Ghanaian wedding (folks from Ghana) in a church. Once I realized that multiple close friends and family were up and walking around the couple getting shots during the ceremony, I took that as an indication for what counted as intrusive--for this context at least. In other words, it was a super rambunctious (and good-natured) group and I took that as a cue to move pretty much wherever I had to to get the shots I needed. It was one of the only times I think that I actually shot from behind the couple.

Did she kneel down, or stand the entire time? I usually walk half way up the while to quickly drab a wide shot, but then I back right out. If she stood there the entire time, that is a bit odd.

I think so much depends on the venue, the officiant, and as you said the formality of the event. My goal is to be non intrusive as well, but sometimes you have to position yourself in a particular spot to get a shot. I had a catholic priest who was very insistent that I not come forward of a certain row, but at the same time he not only didnt forbid flash, he practically encouraged it. In a large fan shaped ampitheater style church you may have different options than in a small traditional chapel. You just have to go with the flow.

Also, was the couple standing under an arbor? If they were, the only angle might have been straight on. However, with a 70-200, you think she could have made that shot from the back.

We're obviously shooting in different regions, but also under very different rules, it sounds to me.

I recently shot a Ukrainian Orthodox wedding (the most religious, the longest ceremony I've shot) and when I entered the church, I presumed I'd have to stay half-way down the aisle. But no, the officiants, couple both gave me free reign to be pretty much anywhere. I of course didn't proceed up the steps behind the B+G, but my MAIN position was all the way down the aisle near the front, one pew back. This is the situation for 99% of my weddings.

When I first read the OPs comment, I thought me meant it was strange that the photographer wasn't closer to the front, because that's where I would be.

Trent Gillespie wrote in post #16311757
Did she kneel down, or stand the entire time? I usually walk half way up the while to quickly drab a wide shot, but then I back right out. If she stood there the entire time, that is a bit odd.

Trent Gillespie wrote in post #16311757
Did she kneel down, or stand the entire time? I usually walk half way up the while to quickly drab a wide shot, but then I back right out. If she stood there the entire time, that is a bit odd.

This is typically what I do, but you never know. Maybe she had/was the second shooter, and someone was covering different angles. Its not how I shoot ceremonies, but different strokes for different folks.

Did you ask her for her reasons? I see these threads all the time that just leave us speculating, but people don't seem to ask the only person that knows their reasons.

Another thing to remember is that the couple obviously booked her based on her previous work so if that is her style that's what they would expect?

jhcanon wrote in post #16312291
Another thing to remember is that the couple obviously booked her based on her previous work so if that is her style that's what they would expect?

I'm not sure a couple is prescient enough to know how intrusive a shooter is or will be based on looking at a portfolio. That said, the last wedding I did the bride made it clear to me that the photos were of primary importance and that I was to do what I needed to do to get the shot. (she was a bit of a diva as the ceremony was over 45 mins late getting started simply because she wanted to take more time on hair and makeup).

But it's not the bride who's posting and asking the question. She will only have seen the finished shots and if that's the style used to get them then that's what she bought into. Sorry if I've misinterpreted your post.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16312312
I'm not sure a couple is prescient enough to know how intrusive a shooter is or will be based on looking at a portfolio. That said, the last wedding I did the bride made it clear to me that the photos were of primary importance and that I was to do what I needed to do to get the shot. (she was a bit of a diva as the ceremony was over 45 mins late getting started simply because she wanted to take more time on hair and makeup).

jhcanon wrote in post #16312348
But it's not the bride who's posting and asking the question. She will only have seen the finished shots and if that's the style used to get them then that's what she bought into. Sorry if I've misinterpreted your post.

What I am saying is that the bride doesnt have a clue looking at a prospective photographer's portfolio where he had to stand to get the shots. So its not like she is pre-endorsing the disruptive behavior by picking the photographer. Besides what makes a portfolio worthy shot in one venue may be totally different than another.