What about when you aren't the photog?

In one of my cases they don't have a pro and have a cousin who they "hope" will show. For that one I think I'll take a camera and a lens to be sure that pics are taken. The other one I will leave my camera in the car for the ceremony and just shoot at the reception because my mom will kill me if I don't.
p.s. I'm not a pro and I have been asked by both parties to be the primary and truned them down because I simply can't handle the pressure at my level.

I don't have a PnS. If I am invited to a wedding and the BnG hint at "...and maybe you can get some good ones while you're there..." or something like that, I generally want to leave my gear at home (unless I'm really close to them - then they wouldn't hint, they would just ask or it would be assumed). If they don't hint at anything and they are important to me, I don't care about the pro photographer (as I'm not competing with him). Do you know what all those PnS'ers are doing? They are taking pictures for themselves, because they care about the BnG and want something to remember it by. Just because I own some professional bodies and "L" glass doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to do the same thing.

Now, where it becomes disrespectful is when you start competing with the hired photog. Basically, if you're walking around and people think you might be the hired photog, you are probably crossing the line. I don't have a list of required shots in my mind or have my camera up to my face the whole time. It's generally in my wife's purse - with ONE lens - and I take it out a maximum of maybe ten minutes through out the entire day. Now, if some are wanting to shoot for the duration of the wedding then I agree with everyone saying "leave the gear." There's already a photographer working. But if you're bringing your camera because A) you don't have a PnS yourself, B) you want these photos for your own sake (just like everyone else with their cell phones and PnS's) and C) you've only brought it to take a handful of pictures, then I see no problem in bringing your camera and a lens.

I'd just relax and enjoy not having to stress about getting great shots

well I went as an usher on saturday and took all my gear. I'm not a pro but would like to get into it... the photog went before reception so I'm glad I took my stuff but they're were few jokes I'd been taking photos all day...

noone really minded though and the brides parents loved the photos


here's a link to a few...


https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=405646