Mobile phones at weddings...

Hey, I've done a follow up of sorts on this based on what clients and friends said to me about the original post. Just a few common sense ideas. The only one that I chose to not post, which people mentioned, was "that guy" getting in the way or people obscuring the photo of the commissioned photographer... I felt like that is just too dangerous to talk about! And I genuinely think the other points are more important as well.

http://www.rharris-images.com/2017/01/11/5-reasons-to-go-unplugged-at-your-wedding/

Some valid points in the article, but one point made me chuckle - "bzzzzz". While the ubiquitous iPad can be intrusive, and before that, P&S compacts were intrusive, the wedding photography team can be the worst. I've been to two weddings where the only confirmations that the wedding happened were in the photos as the photographers completely blocked the view. At one I was within 5m and still couldn't see or hear a thing due to the positioning of the photographer and his equipment. These experiences informed our choice for my own wedding, so that we had a minimilalist photographer - we had less images to choose from, but still had all the images we wanted.

If you're going to promote unplugged, have a look at your own practices too to ensure that you're not providing the bzzzzz.

Bob J wrote: My wife's uncle was a pro, who did our wedding. He was a very mild mannered guy, but when he was being the wedding photographer he was not above shoving someone out of the way or pounding on the top of their head if it was getting into frame. I tend to use the mother of the bride as the main means of control... There are not too many people who will argue with MotB of she tells them to get out of the way... As far as unplugged is concerned, I think I'd try asking people to do flight mode during the critical bits.. that way you don't get the phone ringing or the ping for an alert, but you do get all those lovely informal shots people used to put disposable cameras on the tables for.

Hah! I have heard of and seen similar things Bob. It can be funny. Over the years I have at times had to ask people to step aside or just put a hand on their shoulder. It's rarely a big deal. When guests take photos in an intrusive way it's almost always done out of excitement & happiness for the people, I guess some people just feel that the level of intrusion can be too great and that they (and everyone else) would be better off removing it entirely.

For as long as I can remember when in a christian church the vicar or priest has always made a short announcement including "don't use your phone / take photos". It's very low key and doesn't cause a fuss. It doesn't seem very common elsewhere though, and of course, just covers the ceremony.

addy landzaat wrote: Atom Ant Oz wrote: I've been to two weddings where the only confirmations that the wedding happened were in the photos as the photographers completely blocked the view. That is unprofessional IMHO. A wedding is a family (and friends) celebration and by blocking the view the photographer is intrusive during this "symbolic life-event which perfectly frames how much your loved ones mean to you" (to quote Richard). I doubt Richard is in the way, look at his portfolio. To me, only #5 Bzzzz of this new article convinces me, the others might be important to others, less so to me. I expect (hope?) that when you glance to your mum, you'll actually share that connection with her, rather than with the back of her phone because she cares and you hopefully don't need a photographer to tell your mum to put down that phone.....

You may be onto something there, Addy. But perhaps I've never shared my usual attire for weddings?





Thanks!

These are all just things people have told me directly, but not all from the same person, so it's likely one or two will relate more to you

Tricky01 wrote: It's a great article Richard. I like the updated website too. Not sure how recently you did it, but it's got a nice flow.

+1 !