My fiance is a little horrified by the idea of flash photography during the ceremony. I don't think we'll even notice the flashes, but I think we'll definitely notice the lack of photos from our ceremony and I know I'll feel sad as a result.
Anyone have experience either way? Should we limit flash photography to just the photographer to keep it at a minimum? If so, what's the etiquette for telling our guests to refrain from snapping photos?
I'm not sure the pictures would come out okay if we allowed photography, but without flashes. We are getting married in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window and I'm afraid we'll be backlit if we don't have flash pictures.
2007-10-23 09:09:40 · 14 answers · asked by weirdiscomplimentary 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Put a sign going into the ceremony that lets guests know they are free to take as many pictures as they like but they cannot use their flashes.
Heres why:
You are paying a pro to document the ceremony so you will have plenty of pics through him. If you allow flashes the bulbs from your guests are going to go off at random times. As a photographer it makes it really, really hard if not impossible to get your levels correct and get the right exposure if your guests are always flashing and changing the light.
2007-10-23 11:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by pspoptart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a recently married bride, and as a professional photographer - no flash photography during the ceremony! A good photographer will know how to keep you from being backlit. Most churches do not allow flash photography anyways, it is rude and disrespectful. I would think that most guests would not take photos during the ceremony, but since you never know, just have the ushers tell the guests as they are seated. Even if you and your soon to be husband don't notice the flashes of light, the guests sitting next to that person might be annoyed. Talk to your photographer - he will know what to do - and if he doesn't, get him to go onto a professional photography forum for tips and answers!
2007-10-23 11:06:20 · answer #2 · answered by Cheezie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly this should really be on the bottom of your list of worries. Let your photographer worry about the professional photos, and don't worry about the guests.
You are correct, neither of you will even notice if anyone is taking picture with or without a flash. Also not many of your guests will take pictures, mostly just close friends and family so there won't be that many to worry about.
If you announce to everyone "no flash photos" you will just come off sounding like a diva, let it go both of you. Everything will work out beautifully and you will still be husband and wife, with or without flash photos.
I like Cheezie's idea of having ushers advise guests (if in a church) to not use flash photography, they can use the excuse "per church rules" that way you don't look like a bridezilla!!
Good luck!
2007-10-23 14:09:42 · answer #3 · answered by Reba 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your photographer would be the best person to advise on this situation. They will be able to tell you what kind of lighting that they need to make your pictures turn out great. I have planned many weddings and often the photographers do not have to use flash and when they do they are distracting (I have not even noticed it). You will also have to check with your church to see what their policy is on that. Some churches have strict policies regarding flash photography.
The only way you can try to eliminate guests from taking pictures is for you to post a sign that you make right outside of the doors into the church that say that flash photography is prohibited in the church. That way most people will refrain from taking pictures.
2007-10-23 09:41:39 · answer #4 · answered by Wedding Planner 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Will your location allow flash photography during the actual ceremony? My church allows it while the party is walking up/out, but not during the actual ceremony. As they hold at least one wedding almost every weekend, I'm assuming professional photographers are used to this type of restriction.
Their reasoning is a ceremony should be in a sacred manner and not as a show. Afterwards, however, you can pose is those positions for shots if you must.
Also, they list at the bottom of the bulletin this:
(We respectfully request that no flash pictures be taken during the ceremony.)
2007-10-23 09:31:26 · answer #5 · answered by alynette84 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do wedding photography. I HATE using flash photography, but sometimes it is necessary to get the big shots. During the ceremony, I do try to limit the use of flash, but, honestly, people don't notice when it is flashing. If I were shooting every second, of course they would start getting annoyed, but not too likely to happen. You and your fiancee should discuss your concerns w/ your photographer, because, ultimately, it is up to you. To cut to the quick, you will probably want those photos and you probably won't notice the flash firing. You'll be too busy getting married and lost in each others eyes...
2007-10-23 09:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by ktkansas 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A good photographer will have ways around using flash photography. And guests shouldnt be using flash photography anyways. As a guest who has attended a wedding where the photographer roamed around at will clicking photos everywhere, I would advise against this. It is distracting and annoying and inappropriate. You will have enough photos without these ones.
2007-10-23 09:15:05 · answer #7 · answered by bluegirl6 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Trust this from someone who just got married, some of the best photos I have of my wedding were taken by friends and family, NOT the photographer. We didn't even notice all the pictures being taken. You are so focused on your husband and what you have to say during the ceremony you don't even realize that there are actually people behind you let alone that there are people taking pictures behind you. No one's camera flashes affected any of our photos.
2007-10-23 09:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by Paula Christine 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Check with a photographer, see what they would recommend. If your sweetheart would be distracted by flashes, try to limit the flash photography. The new digital cameras are great for using the light that is available. Blessings to you, Chaplain Debby
2007-10-23 16:13:46 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the photographer deal with this issue. I paid oodles of money to a man who is a professional photographer.... so I let him worry about that stuff. Honestly...I just got married a month ago and couldn't tell you if he used a flash or not! I was not phased either way. Trust me...he/she knows what to do. Don't worry yourself about it and let the photographer take all the photos he can!
2007-10-23 09:19:25 · answer #10 · answered by Kim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋