POLL - The ‘unofficial’ wedding photographer

[Damien_Demolder]

It’s flattering to be considered an expert by one’s peers. There can be downsides, though. Your friends and extended family know you are ‘into’ photography, and will assume ownership of photographic apparatus indicates a degree of proficiency in its use. So when births, birthdays, christenings and Christmases come around so will you – with your camera.

Shooting normal occasions is fine – there’s a bit of responsibility, but if things don’t turn out it’s not the end of the world. You will, though, at some point, by asked to ‘bring your camera’ to someone’s wedding. You may even be asked to ‘do the pictures’. This is where you need to measure your ability to fulfil expectations. You may well have all the kit, and backup kit, and the skill to be the official photographer, but most of us don’t, and many simply do not want to make photography into a chore.

Being the unofficial photographer is often a much better option – there is still responsibility but it is greatly reduced, and snapping the behind-the-scenes scenes is so much more fun. We’ve produced this week's issue (on sale Tuesday 7th July) with the inevitability of your being asked to take pictures at a wedding in mind – read it and you’ll know exactly what to do and what not to do, and still be able to enjoy the day.

To take part in this week's poll Do you feel confident enough to be the ‘unofficial’ wedding photographer? head to the home page.

Thanks all

Damien

[Barney]

Of course I'm confident enough! That's not to say I'm good enough mind.

[El_Sid]

I actually did it once.... unofficial tog AND Best Man. Never again...

[Steve]

So long as realistic expectations are set and I get to make my own decisions about what to shoot and what not to shoot.

I love taking candid stuff...and capturing little moments in the street perhaps without being noticed. So I would take my camera to a wedding so long as people don't start thinking of me as the official tog. Otherwise there's just no fun in it.

[OneTen]

I'd quite happily take on the role of unofficial tog, it's the official job I'll never do again! I really enjoy taking candids and weddings offer up loads of opportunities.

[Hotblack]

Of course I'm confident enough! That's not to say I'm good enough mind.

Same here. And then again I probably wouldn't want too either.

[LargeFormat]

Confident enough, just about, but I might have changed my mind by the time I get to the end of this week's AP.

[zx9]

'unofficial' photographer yes I have done it a few times but always just as a bit of fun. Usually on B&W film informal or 'street' shots as Steve says above. There are a few mantle pieces with my 10x8 prints on display whilst the 'official' photographs lay hidden in an album somewhere.
What is shocking is low quality of some of the professional wedding photographs I have seen.

[Nod]

As a photographer I feel that I'm confident and competent enough to do the job but my people skills aren't up to it! I've done a couple of family functions and did OK at them but was let down at one by a dodgy (cheap) CF card which dented confidence in digital storage for a while - since switching to SanDisk cards exclusively, no more problems.

ETA.. Ah! UNofficial! Yup, done a couple for friends, mainly candids before and after the ceremony and at the reception.

[Zou]

I'd quite happily take on the role of unofficial tog, it's the official job I'll never do again! I really enjoy taking candids and weddings offer up loads of opportunities.

I'd go along with that, although I wouldn't mind doing official pictures (as a wingman ideally, before trying it solo).

[Rhys]

I've been the 'official photographer' at three weddings so being an unofficial one would be a piece of cake. Plus you'd get to enjoy the booze afterwards as well

[Damien_Demolder]

Plus you'd get to enjoy the booze afterwards as well

That's what AF is for.

[Roger_Provins]

I don't like weddings at the best of times and always try to find an excuse not to attend but some you just can't wriggle out of.

So I've ended up doing several weddings as the main photographer and although all were successful it was far too stressful.

But never again - not even as the unofficial photographer - and I hope never to have to even go to a wedding again.

[Benchista]

As unofficial photographer? Hell, no; I've shot a fair few weddings in my time, but I've either been paid for it, or done it as the wedding present. Doing it for nothing? No thanks. I would rather not do it at all, but there has to be a good reason.

[parisian]

That's what AF is for.

Agreed, after a shedload of booze; 'auto-fornicate' mode is probably the only viable option

[daft_biker]

I've heard pro wedding togs can vary their quality control depending on the customer's photographic knowledge....so when the wedding tog comes round to discuss requirements have a Canon DSLR and the latest copy of AP and WDC on your coffee table so it looks like you know your stuff. That should ensure you get the tog's A game

Could I shoot a wedding? Suspect I could turn my hand to it if I needed to but have only had my camera at a couple of weddings so far....got plenty shots the couples liked but nothing I'm particularly proud of taking. Must try harder

[Benchista]

I've heard pro wedding togs can vary their quality control depending on the customer's photographic knowledge....so when the wedding tog comes round to discuss requirements have a Canon DSLR and the latest copy of AP and WDC on your coffee table so it looks like you know your stuff. That should ensure you get the tog's A game

Whereas if you have a Nikon, he'll know you know nothing, and he can get away with dross?

[GeoffR]

I have been Official photographer once or twice, for friends and yes they are still friends, so I do have the confidence. I wouldn't do it unless I knew the couple pretty well though. You need a relationship with the couple for them to be properly relaxed.

[daft_biker]

Aye...and if you put a Leica on the table you get charged double for the dross

[Benchista]

And if it's an Olympus, you'll get 82% less for your money?