That's my new name for the guy/girl hanging over your shoulder taking candids ALL day while you are trying to do the job you were hired to do. I know, it's an old problem but I wanted to know how some of you are handling it.

Last Saturday, I had to deal with this and I REALLY wanted to say something. It was a husband wife team shooting with a Canon D30. I know they had to have taken 400-500 images. I told the bride that no flashes were allowed but they kept shooting anyway (with less frequency). The groom thanked me for "being cool with the other cameras", but inside I was really frustrated.

If I were a guest at a wedding, I would never do this to someone else. Not only is it distracting but I have kids and a family that totally depend on photography for survival. I don't mind the little cell phone and point and shoot cameras but this guy had a full rig. I even saw him putting together a slide show on his laptop.

I actually had this same sort of thing happen twice in the last 30 days. My agreement states that I am not responsible for blinks and missed shots because of other cameras flashing. It still bugs me and it always will.

I shot this a few years ago. The grooms aunt had a little point and shoot on the front row. Maybe I need to blow it up and hang it on my studio wall.

What we do is to explain to the couple at our initial meeting why the clause is in our contract (that we're the only photographers allowed...) Then, if it becomes an issue, we politely ask people not to take photos. The only time it's a big deal is if we're crunched for time and the only way to get the shot is if everyone concentrates on us. Sometimes we need to be more forceful. I tell the couple that we don't mind being "the bad guy" who tells them off. It can be bad for referrals but most family members will appreciate it, actually. And also, it just looks like we're trying to "do what the couple paid an awful lot of money to do" and they're making it impossible for us to perform.

Now, if the people are really rude about it, there isn't much that can be done. I mean, you're not going to be able to kick them out of the reception. Well, not usually. ;-)

The real solution is to charge enough up front that it won't bother you. But that's hard to do and stay competitive (and I know lots of people are going to jump all over that sentence).

Wow...

Greg I'm sorry that happened to you. Do you think that if you told the people not to shoot while you were shooting they would have respected and listened to you?

I had a friend of mine shoot a wedding and there was another guest who had like a D100. The guest was an aspiring photographer who didn't have a wedding portfolio so she shadowed her and posted the very same shots on her new website.

But yeah...I can totally understand why some photographers state in their contracts that no one else should be taking pictures while the photographer is working.

KK

Don't mean to be repetitive, but I'll second and third what the others are saying about having a clause in your contract about this issue and communicating with the bride and groom ahead of time. We actually have this on our pre-wedding questionaire as one of the issues we mention to the bride and/or groom before the big day!

You make sure that the bride and groom are on your side on this issue before the day even starts, and then they can communicate to friends and family the day of, as well as back you up if you have to say something!!!

Thanks everyone!

Yes, we do talk to the bride twice about this issue. Once upon booking and the second time about a week before the wedding about other photographers. We tell her that during the pre-wedding and ceremony I want to be the only photographer because we are working so fast. I also tell her that during the reception we really don't care if others are shooting. I started doing that about 3 years ago and it seemed to have solved the problem.

Last Saturday, we had to deal with the shooters anyway. I asked them to hold all flashes but they just moved to another part of the church and shot candids anyway. I was professional about it and planned on keeping my mouth shut unless they crossed the line (ie: by stopping me or getting in front of me).

Lately, videographers are getting in the way. A video guy in Cleveland, Tn even has a base package where he videos the still shots. Seriously, that is his minimum package. How un-imaginative and redundant that would be.