I've hesitated because I strive to be a kind, understanding person. I've spent my adult life proudly pleasing people with my skills... including my people skills. Being a nice person is required, when you hope to successfully make a living providing any type of personal service.
But there is a line that is crossed, eventually, which makes even the kindest people need to speak up and speak out.
As a wedding photographer who has enjoyed weddings in my own family, I understand the importance of capturing as many special moments as possible.
In my contract there is this clause, which in the beginning seemed like over-kill and too controlling, but I left it in my contract because I knew from the beginning of my career that there are reasons for all this legal 'jibberish':
"EXCLUSIVITY / GUEST PHOTOGRAPHY: It is understood that Ana Edwards Photography will act as the sole and exclusive wedding photographer, unless otherwise agreed upon. Because of the fact that flashes from guest’s cameras may ruin shots taken by Ana Edwards Photography, THE CLIENT acknowledges that they are responsible for notifying all of their guests that guest photography is not permitted at any time while the professional photographer are in session. The formal photography time is for the exclusive use of Ana Edwards Photography to capture the formal wedding portraits. Because of time constraints and the need for subjects to pay full attention to the professional photographer, guest photography cannot be permitted. Ana Edwards Photography will allow guests to take snapshots during the processional and recessional, during candid events at the church/venue, and at the altar during the time Ana Edwards Photography equipment is being packed up. In return for this consideration Ana Edwards Photography insists no other guest photography take place when or where Ana Edwards Photography is working. No other guest/photographer using professional equipment will be allowed by Ana Edwards Photography at any time during the wedding. Ana Edwards Photography reserves the right to stop any photographic services paid for and leave the function should any other person take photographs with any professional equipment – with the payment being forfeit."
Whenever I go over the contract, I make sure the bride understands that I know others will be taking pictures. I really only ask that during the Bride & Groom portraits, let's let it be just me with the Bride & Groom. Those are my favorite. Those are the ones I hope you'll want for your huge canvas above your fireplace. Those are the ones I want to spend quality time together {alone}, to be sure we get the most flattering angles, the most artistic composition, the most perfect lighting. When I'm with the Bride & Groom, I consider that my artwork. It's not usually a candid moment... it's more like creating the most beautiful, romantic, still life... with gorgeous subjects, who deserve to receive what they've paid for: the most beautiful artwork I can create for them.
Please allow me THAT.
It's not that I'm insecure... I know that my image will be of the best technical quality. I've worked hard to learn my craft. I hope that when I'm chosen as a wedding photographer, it's because the client chose me for my knowledge and artistic understanding of the beautiful human form, as well as the lighting, angles, and composition which compliments it.
When there are others trying to get their shots during the ceremony and portrait sessions... it interferes with the limited time we have, especially if it's an outside location, with a time limit set by the Sun. When there are others trying to get their shots... I have to work to keep them out of my images, limiting where and what I capture. When there are others... they will eventually end up in your otherwise beautiful images.
Most of all... when there are others trying to get their shots, it's saying that they don't trust my ability to do what I do best. And what you've paid me a lot of money to do. Ironically, having so many others trying to get their shots actually interferes with the finished product... and it makes it look like I didn't do the job you've paid me to do.
Now on to part two...
All those awesome filters provided on your phone are super cool. They're made for fixing what's wrong with the pictures: bad lighting, bad skin, bad color... and lots of other things you'd like to make more interesting, more flattering.
Screen shotting is a wonderful tool that technology has granted us... but it wasn't created to screenshot professional images so that you can filter away to your heart's delight.
The time we spend photographing a wedding is a mere fraction of the time we sit at our computer, painstakingly performing enhancements to each image... including, but not limited to: exposure, white balance, wrinkles, pimples, bruises, bug bites, and boogers. So to see the work I literally spent hours on, perfecting every detail to the best of my anal-obsessive-ability, filtered to make your skin some un-humanly, un-natural tone... disturbs me. If that's your preference that's great... but when it's done to my artwork, it makes it look like I chose that 'look'. Reworking a professional image is not OK.
{To enlighten those who are not aware: Photographs are copyrighted at the time of their creation, by default.}
My thoughts on Pinterest are enough for a blog another day... but I will summarize to say that I think it's a wonderful tool for gathering ideas. I love to see your ideas and the style of photography you enjoy the most, but to try to duplicate an image you found on Pinterest exactly will not happen. It's like tracing paper... something you use when you have no artistic ability of your own. Let's add some kind of twist and originality that works best for you and your style.
I hope that this information will not offend anyone, as I've tried to explain our thoughts as wedding and portrait photographers. I do understand that there are so many styles of photography, so many photographers, each with their own artistic style... it's important that you choose your photographer carefully, so that you'll be happy with your product. Because in the end, that's all that matters... we want YOU to be happy with all the hard work we pour into your photography.
