No photos please!

Did a wedding on Saturday where around 40% of the guests did not want any photos taken. They were happy to snap the photos with their phones, but when I was asking them if they wanted one they would refuse all the time. Also, they only wanted photos with the bride and groom from their phones, not interested in official ones. Has it happened to anybody? Before you ask, I was using deodorant!

Was it an organized crime family?

joedlh wrote in post #18165652
Was it an organized crime family?

Lol, I knew this was going to be asked!

joedlh wrote in post #18165652
Was it an organized crime family?

Or all a bunch of cops

I think a lot of people attending have the thought that why pose for a shot if I am not going to receive it and have to buy it off your site. They look at it as the camera phone is fine and free.

Now if you are offering to give away or post all the photos taken at the event, which we will do from time to time, cutting a deal with the couple, we will make them aware this is the case, then they will pose.

If you are the official photog and taking about candids or table shots, I tell them the Bride and Groom requested the photo and they tend to submit with out a fight then.

Good advice

I take a bad photo before they know what's happening then ask if they want a good one.

^Best answer!

As a guest I've never been asked by a 'tog, they always just take and I comply, i imagine most rational people will agree.

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cubatahavana wrote in post #18165647
Also, they only wanted photos with the bride and groom from their phones, not interested in official ones.

Makes sense to me. The last things I have any interest in are posed, "official" photos. Of anyone. Ever. Just no interest in that kind of imagery. And I can understand that many others would feel the same way.

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This is my dream wedding gig, this needs to happen more often.

K Soze wrote in post #18169454
If you are the official photog and taking about candids or table shots, I tell them the Bride and Groom requested the photo and they tend to submit with out a fight then.

^^^ the only way to approach the task!!!

"I am hired at the behest of the bride and groom (or her mother), and I do a disservice to my client by doing any less than obtaining photos of all attending relatives and guests."

Thanks for all the input guys. In the end, as the couple wanted more candid type shots, I didn't bother too much and tried to get some sneaky shots here and there. In retrospective, maybe it's even easier this way

You need a longer lens.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18174607
You need a longer lens.

My problem was that the light was not good and that the ceiling was divided into partitions, so in order to bounce, I had to be near-ish the targets. Where all the guests were seated, bouncing from the ceiling was the only option, as there was no wall around, just the bar. My 70-200 is f4, and would have struggled. thinking of getting a 2.8, but with that light in that area, even 2.8 may not have cut it.