so i was shooting a wedding this weekend...

and a guy and a girl show up. i assume a bf/gf. the girl was carrying a nikon d200.

They are going to college for photojournalism and one freelances for the local newspaper.

i gotta tell ya what, she got pretty annoying real fast.

So what do you all do? I mean i am sure she knew what they were doing as far as "taking" a photo...but she got in my way over and over and over.

I'm assuming that they were guests right? You tell them, politely, and if that doesn't work then I go to the bride and explain the situation and that it needs to stop.

I would go to the person who hired you, the person who is paying you to be there and talk to them about the situation. I also have a clause in my contract that states something along the lines that if other photographers are present and are being obsticals to me doing my job then I am not responsible and have the right to end the job without penalty. I make sure I verbally communicate this at contract signing time and let them know that I fully welcome any other people there with cameras but that if they get in the way and prevent me from doing my job then something will need to change, either them not being allowed to continue with what they are doing or by me walking out on the rest of the job. I have NEVER had a problem with this.

There is a big difference between getting in your way and being annoying. It is your paid job to capture the moments... all of them

#1- If this person is truly keeping you from doing your job you need to say something to them about it without being rude and without causing comotion as to disrupt anything

#2 If #1 does not work you need to get help from someone involved and not necessarily the bride - just someone who will understand you are missing capturing images due to this interference and fix the issue - This is why developing a relationship with clients is key .

My inlaws have a wedding on the beach. They hire a company to facilitate the wedding (justice of the piece to administer the service, 2 photogs, chairs, flowers, champaign, etc). I sit in the front row, invited by the bride, and take pictures with my camera.

The photogs provide a CD of their images as part of the package. All are garbage. Bride asks me if she can see my images. Mine are superior to the professionals work. She wants to buy them.

Did I cross the line? She asked me to take pictures before and after the ceremony (not covered by the pros), but did not mention the ceremony.

I've seen the pros shots and they could have been taken by any knucklehead with a P&S. Apparently they didn't know how to use their flash to balance with ambient light and focus seemed to be a challenge. Forget any sunset shots. They looked like over exposed pictures of light bulbs.

Did I cross a line by agreeing to sell my photos?

bwolford wrote in post #5826582
My inlaws have a wedding on the beach. They hire a company to facilitate the wedding (justice of the piece to administer the service, 2 photogs, chairs, flowers, champaign, etc). I sit in the front row, invited by the bride, and take pictures with my camera.

The photogs provide a CD of their images as part of the package. All are garbage. Bride asks me if she can see my images. Mine are superior to the professionals work. She wants to buy them.

Did I cross the line? She asked me to take pictures before and after the ceremony (not covered by the pros), but did not mention the ceremony.

I've seen the pros shots and they could have been taken by any knucklehead with a P&S. Apparently they didn't know how to use their flash to balance with ambient light and focus seemed to be a challenge. Forget any sunset shots. They looked like over exposed pictures of light bulbs.

Did I cross a line by agreeing to sell my photos?

IMO opinion, not at all. If all the package photogs were to do is give images on a CD, they fulfilled their contract. Might be an issue if those photos were expecting print sales from them, but it doesnt sound that way.

she was getting in my shots...for instance when they did their first dance i was photographing them, next thing i know she is right there in the way photographing.

to her credit she was like a ninja! at one point she literally rolled to the floor raised up and started taking phots...i about stepped on her.

Good thing I wasn't shooting that wedding. She would have been sorry she showed up.

That is completely unprofessional and unwarranted.

Agreed. Taking pictures from your seat is one thing. Repeatedly jumping in front of the paid photog is completely different and could (should?) very well get you an L upside the head.

cory1848 wrote in post #5826892
IMO opinion, not at all. If all the package photogs were to do is give images on a CD, they fulfilled their contract. Might be an issue if those photos were expecting print sales from them, but it doesnt sound that way.

Print sales optional. Package purchased included the CD and time and attendance only.

I'm a big stickler when it comes to guests taking pictures and being in my shot. I don't care if they sit in the seat and take pictures during the ceremony. But I don't let it fly during the portraits. If I see someone getting up during the ceremony to get different angles, I will walk over to them and ask them to sit back down, and tell them that prints are available for purchase through my website. During the portraits, I'll let a few people snap a couple shots with their point and shoot cameras, but if someone is there with an SLR and they're taking shots of every pose I set up, then I ask them to stop. If they won't, then I tell the couple that their free prints are no longer available, and they will have to purchase everything they want. I warn the couple that I will say that, but it isn't true. Usually the person that is the problem will feel bad and stop, and then everything is cool. But if it doesn't then I pack up my stuff and leave.

If I had been the OP, I would have gone to those people the minute I saw them, and explained the situation. Most of the time people are pretty cool about it. If they give you attitude, then go speak with the bride or groom, and tell them that if the problem isn't solved, then you'll be leaving.

I agree with Dermit, it is a good idea to have a claus in the contract about other "photographers" and distractions. I have one in mine, and since it's been in there, I've only had one person really bother me.

Did you have a clause in your contract to the effect that your services will no longer be provided if you have to deal with another overzealous photographer who's hindering your ability to take the photographs they hired YOU for?

I always take a moment to show them that part and explain why at the consultation. I'm not an ass about it, but i'm firm, and I do let it be known that I don't mind the mommas and aunts firing off their points and shoots to the side (without a flash) but I do mind people getting in my way.

I once had someone knock over my light in her quest for a photo of the bride and groom, thankfully it wasn't broken and I'm insured in any case. I promptly banished her from the premises, even with her saying she will no longer get in my way.

I do find it interesting though - the MORE they pay you, the EASIER it is for you to get what you want done.

I am pretty accommodating and let whoever would like to take photos. Typically my brides stop the other photographers and let them know that I am the one their paid the big money to take photos---- my brides have not had a problem doing the work for me and letting others know that they are in the way and they need to accommodate the "paid photographer"

What's that thing that Spock used to do to people on Star Trek? You know the thing where he pinches their collar bone? That'd probably work nicely!

jdlloyd67 wrote in post #5829033
What's that thing that Spock used to do to people on Star Trek? You know the thing where he pinches their collar bone? That'd probably work nicely!

More realistically you need a tazer.