No photography during ceremony

So, The Wife and I had a wedding shoot outside of Houston at a small Methodist church this past weekend. During rehearsal, The Wife approached the minister to ask about any photography restrictions during the ceremony, and was dumbstruck when the minister said she wouldn't allow *any* photography during the actual wedding. She offered the expected reasons: Dignity of the occasion, sacred ceremony, etc. We'd been expecting restrictions on flashes, so this was a bit off-putting

Fortunately, we'd heard about this kind of hurdle before, by reading this very forum, so we were able to make adjustments. The bride just about had a meltdown when she heard, because the minister had never mentioned any such restrictions during their months of pre-marital counseling, etc. We were able to assure the bride that this wasn't unheard of, and that we could recreate all the "key" moments afterward.

In hindsight, it's pretty clear the minister imposed those restrictions because she could, rather than anything else. She was cracking jokes throughout the actual ceremony, and allowed the bride and groom to add a non-traditional Apache sand ceremony. Point-and-shoots with flashes were going off continuously, and the minister didn't say boo. She'd also promised to stick around afterward to re-create shots, but as soon as the bride and groom had walked down the aisle, her vestments came off and she was out the door. I caught her and ushered her back, and she posed for exactly two shots before taking off not to be seen again.

For us, the photographers, it wasn't that big of a deal. We got, or recreated, the shots we needed. But it seems like a cruel power-trip to spring something like this on the bride and groom without warning--even granted that the B&G don't hear 90 percent of what's said in their pre-marital sessions, you'd expect "Oh yeah, I won't allow photography during your ceremony" to stand out a bit. And given that she's conducted hundreds of wedding ceremonies, she's got to know that such a restriction isn't an insignificant one.

I'll confess it was a bit humiliating how people in attendance kept looking back at us during key moments, with questioning looks on their faces as to why the pro photographers weren't doing their jobs. Even as P&S flashes went off all around. I'm just glad others have suffered through this scenario before and shared, because if we hadn't been forewarned, it could've turned into a disaster.

Almost makes you want to pick up a G11 and join the masses.

wdwpsu wrote in post #8850989
Almost makes you want to pick up a G11 and join the masses.

Almost, but not quite. The drama was just so silly and pointless...

Interesting to hear that, had I heard that before, personally, I probably would have found a different minister.

I would have taken photos from the back anyway. You can't disallow it for the pros and let the guests do it.

If I was told "you may not take any images" i'd not take any images. Simple. I want to be allowed back. However i'd ask if I could shoot from the back of the church, which would be better than nothign.

I would have just took the shots anyway. The minister isnt going to completely stop the ceremony because a couple people in the back of the church of snapping shots. The minister would have to then explain to the B/Gs families that they are also not allowed to take pictures as well. I think that would go over like, well, a fart in church.

To the several posters who said they would shoot anyway..... One of the reasons some minsiters do not allow ANY photography during the ceremony is because they have run into you, or others like you before, and they do not want a repeat preformance. I enjoy many benefits that other photographers don't because I have worked in those churches, and they know I will not violate the rules. I am not in this business just to shoot that particular wedding where the minister added restrictions. This is the profession I have chosen. I have photographed literally hundreds and hundreds of weddings and want to continue doing so.

I had a very nice priest once place a restriction on photography even though I had just been there 2 weeks before and there was no such restriction. He apologized to me after the wedding and told me he had an apparent newbie shooter who came up into the altar (very forbidden) and place his camera on this priests' shoulder to steady it.

If you are serious about this business, please remember you not only have an obligation to know the rituals and rules of any particular religion and abide by these rules no matter what. Furthermore, you also have an obligation to the shooter who will come in behind you. Do not ruin it for them. If you want to be a rebel, please do it in another line of work.

Dave

cchooks wrote in post #8854329
He apologized to me after the wedding and told me he had an apparent newbie shooter who came up into the altar (very forbidden) and place his camera on this priests' shoulder to steady it.

lol Good lord. That goes way beyond being a newbie photographer. Thats just rude!

Sounds like this particular minister was just on a power trip for the sake of it but it does bring up a good point,as a Christian and a wedding photographer I can see it from both sides,the wedding service is a sacrament like any other chyurch service and as such should be respected by all attending and the Minister is within their rights to impose their own rules but obviously all parties should be made aware wekll in advance.What always surprisese though is that there is so much variance between ministers from the everything goes to the "A CAMERA IS A TOOL OF SATAN"
However not sure what its like in the states but certainly in the UK I have never found a registrar who will allow shots of any type during the service so really civil ceremonies are more restricted than many churches

captainpenguin wrote in post #8856677
However not sure what its like in the states but certainly in the UK I have never found a registrar who will allow shots of any type during the service so really civil ceremonies are more restricted than many churches

I believe that's a West Mids thing - most areas of Devon (with the notable exception of Plymouth City), and places we've been in Nottingham, Derbyshire and Rutland, the registrars have been brilliant.

Rob

captainpenguin wrote in post #8856677
What always surprisese though is that there is so much variance between ministers from the everything goes to the "A CAMERA IS A TOOL OF SATAN"

You can say that again. We've got a wedding at a historic Catholic Church next month, so after this experience I double-checked that The Wife had talked to the priest for any restrictions. Not only does the priest allow photography, but he suggested places to put our strobes for the best lighting and a spot on the balcony that produces "great" shots. There's just no telling. Every officiant is different!

I have a rule........that I never ask what the rules are....I simply do my thing..taking photos without flash and stay out of the way.....I am never in anyones way and never had anyone ever complain.

Here in the LDS (Mormon) capital of the world, many weddings are done in LDS temples where not only is photography forbidden, only active members can go inside to the ceremony. So this is pretty common here. What most people do is just spend an hour or so outside the temple taking the new couple's shots on the grounds while they are still dressed up - then they go to the reception, etc. Seems to work pretty well.

At a friends wedding in London two years ago, the priest said that if he saw any guests taking photos or videoing he would stop the ceremony.

They had two official videographers who were out of the way. The could video (but my friend had to pay the priest/church £200 for the privilege).