Discreet photographer, leave the pro alone...

Hi Mizuno Nice of you to weigh in on this one.

Mizuno is a 'protective pro' and expects other pros to be the same. That's fine!! Maybe the pro at the wedding in question will be like Mizuno, and if so you'd do well to leave your gear in its bag. The contracted shooter has every right to expect to be the only serious shooter at a wedding. (This is why I suggested contacting the pro beforehand )

But not all pros are the same as Mizuno. Some are keen to help keen beans like you get started and will let you work closely with them. Some will say they don't care if you shoot, as long as you stay out of their way. And some, like Mizuno, will ask you to put your camera away (it doesn't mean they're nasty, it just means they need to work alone to do their job well). It takes all sorts, and the important thing to respect is that the pro calls the shots. Otherwise you risk stuffing up the day for the bride and groom, which would suck.

And I have to agree that getting the bridal party to call you when photo ops come up is a bit much ... the day is not about your photos, it's about the bride and groom. Don't ask for this.

And the REALLY important thing to remember is the purpose of the day, and respect the guests and bride and groom enough to not become "that bl**dy photographer" ... easier said than done btw

linarms wrote in post #2426158
But not all pros are the same as Mizuno. Some are keen to help keen beans like you get started and will let you work closely with them. Some will say they don't care if you shoot, as long as you stay out of their way. And some, like Mizuno, will ask you to put your camera away (it doesn't mean they're nasty, it just means they need to work alone to do their job well).

I think you're missing the point, either that or you're tongue in cheeck and I've failed to recognise it.

Contrary to your assumption, I am very open, polite and encouraging of 'Uncle Bob' shooters who turn up at my assignments. I'm just stating that it does make my job less comfortable and I'd prefer it if they left the gear at home. I'm also prepared to bank on the fact that the vast majority of pro shooters feel exactly the same.

You make it sound like I'm an over-protective scrooge who won't help anyone aspiring to get into the industry. That's the oposite of my philosophy. I am very generous with my time, resources and contribute here and elsewhere in that light. There are ocassions where it is appropriate to offer help, guidance and information and occasions where it is not. A wedding is for most people an incredibly emotional and important day - my concern is with the bride and groom, their experience and their memories. Why should I concern myself with little johnny and his new camera?

Little Johnny can come and talk to me mid-week and I'll point him in the right direction and give him all the help he needs, but when I'm working, he needs to understand that I have responsibilities which far outweigh his personal photography ambitions.

Hey Mizuno, I didn't misunderstand you (I don't think I did, anyway).

I didn't say you're an "over-protective scrooge" who won't help people ... I just said you're not comfortable working with amateurs at weddings. I respect that totally and don't think you're scroogy at all.

But there are other pros who are happy to give amateurs some space at weddings. (I know, I shot with one at my sister's wedding 6 months after getting my first DSLR. He used me as a lens hood a couple of times [not sure why he didn't have his own]) They're comfortable about getting the photos they need while letting an amateur get a couple of shots or some alternative angles. Maybe the quality of their work isn't as high as yours, but that's the call they make.

All I was saying was that different pros handle serious amateurs in different ways at weddings, and that the OP should respect that.

I'm sure you're very generous with advice in the right context and totally didn't mean to tar you with the 'nasty' brush. Sorry if I caused offence.

(BTW, Mizuno's work is superb. His avoidance of distracting second shooters really does pay off )

I've not had any really serious amateurs at a wedding yet, if I did i'd ask them to stay away from the areas where i'm shooting and tell them the reasons why (they spoil my photos). People with small cameras I don't mind, but even then I restrict where they go and what they do so they don't spoil my photos. Actually I herd anyone out of my way whether they have a camera or not, either way they distract people from group shots.

On the other hand if someone's not affecting me I really don't care what they take photos of. I'm paid in advance so it's not like they'll affect my sales much or anything.