Post # 1

Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
My Fiance friends brother is a professional photographer and has offered to do our whole wedding For $500 & we have to pay for his hotel room as he’s from another province… My wedding isn’t until December but i think it’s good to look at diff photographers and whatnot. He does beautiful work. He emailed me a copy of his contract and in it it says that he prefers that se the only photographer there and that he would prefer that he be the only one taking pictures. Meaning noone bring a camera. is this normal?
Post # 3

Member
1723 posts
Bumble bee
@2beemrs: I’ve personally never heard of that… And I wouldn’t agree to it. if someone wants to take pictures at my wedding i want them to be able to! I also love looking at those kind of pictures!
Post # 4

Member
5371 posts
Bee Keeper
- Wedding: June 2014 - Ontario, Canada ♥ EDD- April 2016
Mine says something like that too, but it just means that there can’t be another professional photographer. This means we can’t hire another photographer and if we have a guest who is a professional, they can’t be up taking pictures as if they’re the wedding photographer. Does it specifically say no guests with cameras? Or does it say no other photographers?
Post # 5

Member
7759 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@2beemrs: No other photos during the ceremony is becoming common – as long as there are other times for photos.
No other photos at any time is over-zealous, in my opinion. People want their own photographic memories of the day – plus the couple often likes some of the candid shots guests take.
Post # 6

Member
3691 posts
Sugar bee
I can see both sides, actually. With his, he doesn’t want to deal with people jumping in front of him and messing up his shots by being in the way or screwing him up with their flashes.
On the other hand, what if something happens to his SD drive or his computer ruining your pro photos, and you miss out on any amateur photos you would have had?
Post # 7

Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
It saya no other cameras at the wedding. I mean the price is perfect but now I don’t know if I want to do that knowing my family his family our friends can’t take pics
Post # 8

Member
8369 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@2beemrs: I think he means other professional photographers.
But if he doesn’t I personally would never hire a photographer that said that guests could not take photos especially if it extended into the reception.
Post # 9

Member
1635 posts
Bumble bee
My photog said the same. What my photog explained is he doesn’t want a guest snapping photos of shots he set up. His art is how he creates a moment and captures it. Guests can take photos just not the ones he staged.
Post # 10

Member
9209 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
- Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA
@2beemrs: I would just clarify with him. If it truly means NO cameras at the entire reception, period, that eff that. Your guests will think you’re a crazy bridezilla and it’s really fun to see people’s photos from the reception (aka hilarious drunk pics).
Post # 11

Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
Thanks ladies. I will most def be clarifying this with him
Post # 12

Member
5371 posts
Bee Keeper
- Wedding: June 2014 - Ontario, Canada ♥ EDD- April 2016
@lolot: +1
I would clarify and if it means no guest photos then I think I would find another photographer. I would want to see our wedding from our guests’ perspectives (:
Post # 13

Member
7759 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@2beemrs: No cameras at all? This guy should be warned of this newfangled invention: phones which are also cameras. As a guest, I would not leave my phone at home, even if I was told to. I’d have it on silent of course, but I’d have it with me in my bag.
The cynical side of me says it’s a way to generate revenue because the only way guests can get photos is by buying his.
Post # 14

Member
658 posts
Busy bee
@2beemrs: My contract has similar language and when I asked for clarification, he told me basically it means no other professional photographers and that the guests need to respect that he has a job to do. In other words, no jumping in front of him, no standing up at front of the church when we’re doing posed pictures, etc.
I would ask for clarification, but I doubt it means something as strict as you are thinking.
Post # 15

Member
7759 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@CurlyCue: @tigergrrl2008: It’s probably something like what you two are saying. Why can’t photographers say what they mean? It’s not that hard.
Post # 16

Member
731 posts
Busy bee
@sugarpea: +1
@2beemrs: Usually it means no other professionals or professional cameras/