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Bad Photographer
A friend asked me to be her photographer for her wedding out in Cali. I live in Indiana. I told her she should find someone else for a number of reasons, but mostly I did not want to mix "business and pleasure". She is a good friend and I have seen what happens to other photographers when they do that and the friendship ends badly. So she has found another photographer and this photographer is just bad. I mean this is the wanna be photographer who's photos are dark, lots of noise, bad editing (where you try to make a black and white photo but only the red roses are in color. Instead the roses, half the flower and half of the person's arm is in color) I realize we all have to start some where but this person is calling themselves a professional and I want my friends photos to come out and be good. So my problem is where do I draw the line? Do I just stand back and let the photographer work? Do I offer a little help? Do I just tell the photographer to get out of my way? Right now I feel that I should just stand back. This is the photographer my friend has picked and I should respect her choices but at the same time, I feel kind of bad. Jan 31 13 02:39 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: Until asked, it's Nunya Jan 31 13 02:42 pm Link She must have seen the photographers work and think it meets her expectations. Jan 31 13 02:45 pm Link I had a friend that got married recently and she asked me if I was interested in shooting her wedding but I politely declined and explained why then offered to help her choose a photographer. She sent me a couple of ones she was interested in and they were all pretty bad. I sent her a couple of recommendations and she ended up choosing one of them and ended up VERY happy with the photos. My suggestion: tell her you think she could find a better photographer and offer to help her choose. If she's getting married in SoCal I can send you a link to the photographer my friend used. I believe she was very reasonably priced. Jan 31 13 02:45 pm Link I usually offer references for shoots I'm unable or not interested in doing. There's nothing wrong with identifying and suggesting someone you believe will be the most proper fit for a project. Jan 31 13 02:46 pm Link Instinct Images wrote: I offered that and she went with a friend of her soon to be hubby Jan 31 13 02:49 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: Given that she asked you as well, I'd be asking your friend "Do you really think I suck as much as this guy?" Jan 31 13 02:53 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: Let it go then. Jan 31 13 02:53 pm Link Take your camera and shoot some photos too. You asked to not be their photographer for a good reason. If this individual fails it is their issue. I have several times taken my camera to friends weddings and out shot their photographer from my seat. I just edit and give them the images and don't say a word about their guy/gal until asked. I professionally shot my uncle's wedding, only because they begged me. The photos came out great and they were happy. I on the other hand was not. And will probably not do aother wedding as I felt so stressed about the entire thing and it was just family as a client instead of someone else that it just turned me off to that type of photography. However I will continue to take my gear to other weddings... Jan 31 13 02:53 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: It's not your business to draw the line. Ask your friend if they are happy with what the photographer can deliver based on what they are paying this photographer. If they are, butt out. Jan 31 13 02:54 pm Link Instinct Images wrote: I recently had a friend and client ask me to shoot her wedding. I told her no way, no how, not happening, but made the same offer you did. Jan 31 13 02:56 pm Link Ya gotta love all the white knight wedding shooters out there. I wonder if they also go to restaurants and bring food for the guests just in case the chef screws up. If I'm invited to a wedding that I am not shooting, I never bring my camera(s). They invited me as a friend and guest and I enjoy it just as that. But that's just me. Jan 31 13 03:01 pm Link @OP Maybe your friend knows the work is bad and sent you it so you'd save the day and do it yourself. Anyway, good decision not to do it. Jan 31 13 03:05 pm Link Mike Collins wrote: I don't shoot weddings. As a guest at a wedding, I've always had a camera with me though. No white knighting, I just like getting embarrassing shots of my friends after a few beers at the reception. Jan 31 13 03:06 pm Link Here's what you do. (to those who shoot at friends' weddings) Stop being a dick and bringing your camera to the wedding if they hired a photographer. If you're better, fine, shut up and let your ego have the last laugh. I shoot weddings and I look at you like a wanna-be buffoon, no matter how much of a bad-ass you might be. If it were your job, your duty, you'd have been hired and not declined. Do you bring your own guitar to the concert and play with the band? No, sit back and talk shit, but keep off the stage. The right thing to do is help steer your loved ones to someone who is worth a damn. You know the value of a photo. You have a better eye for it. You should know that a wedding is not a model shoot, so there's going to be some variation from what you see here. They should value that opinion, especially if they asked you to shoot. I know I sound like a complete a-hole. But, I speak from experience. Jan 31 13 03:08 pm Link Mike Collins wrote: Yeah ditto. I would consider it bad form to bring my camera. Jan 31 13 03:10 pm Link IBS wrote: x2 Jan 31 13 03:12 pm Link I've only shot one wedding and that was several years ago for a friend. I can tell you from personal experience, it's a LOT of work and if you're not properly prepared it can easily turn into a disaster. Since you've already turned down the job, my suggestion would be to simply attend as a friend, enjoy the day, and stay out of the photographer's way and let him/her work. The resulting photos may or may not be any good but 1) the wedding photographer was your friend's choice and 2) you won't be in the middle of things. In the long run your friendship is likely more valuable than pictures in a photo album. Jan 31 13 03:14 pm Link I would not get involved whatsoever. And I would be wary of commenting in ANY way about the photos because, after turning it down, it would then look like you're questioning her choices too. No offense to your friend, but if she's choosing someone that bad she's obviously trying to get the photography done cheap, which doesn't give me a lot of confidence that she would have paid you what you wanted and would have invariably pulled "the friend card" on you. Jan 31 13 03:18 pm Link Thomas Sellberg wrote: That might be the worst advice I have ever heard in the forums. That doesn't sound like a professional, it sounds like an Uncle Bob who is shooting to satisfy their own ego. Jan 31 13 03:22 pm Link If you wanted to be involved in the quality of the photos, you should be the one getting married or the photographer, otherwise you should probably just stay quiet unless your opinion is asked for. Jan 31 13 03:23 pm Link Myself being a photographer I know when someone is good at what they do. I am using a photographer that I met when I first started for my wedding. Check out www.richwellcorrea.com he is in SD and the best wedding photographer in the area. Jan 31 13 03:24 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: I skipped over this, after I got the jest of it and tossed out the sadness.. Jan 31 13 03:31 pm Link In general, stay out of it completely. You never know what their budgeting. They might be looking on CL for someone cheap, so yeah the work is bad. You get what you pay for basically. Not saying your friends are doing this, but you never know. Also, like you responded, it was a friend of the grooms. Leave it go. Jan 31 13 03:31 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: As a friend give her some good examples of what you consider to be a good wedding photographer. Have her look over the work and make her own choice after reviewing a short list "non-friend" pros in her area, and budget. Jan 31 13 03:37 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: In that case don't say a word! Jan 31 13 03:41 pm Link offer to take a few photos as a favor but as a guest. if the official photographer no-shows or freaks out or disappears with a bridesmaid then be ready to take over if the bride asks (and i have heard of this happening before). i think the main thing in working with customers is to have a good contract. that covers a lot of important ground. that and knowing what the heck you are doing. Jan 31 13 03:55 pm Link You have control issues. Jan 31 13 03:56 pm Link Jan 31 13 04:58 pm Link IBS wrote: x4 Jan 31 13 05:02 pm Link Kaouthia wrote: +1 Jan 31 13 05:50 pm Link I did a wedding for a model friend of mine and the photos came out great. Granted she acted like a bride which they can through out the day, friend or not, but she was so glad to have went with me over everyone else she's worked with. Despite the stressfulness of the big day, friends appreciate your work and efforts. I don't know, it's worked for me having my contacts and friends become repeat customers. Jan 31 13 06:27 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: oh Lordy.....and soon to be EXfriend of her soon to be hubby.... Jan 31 13 06:36 pm Link Actually, it is quite rude to bring your own camera and shoot over the photographer's shoulder, much less shoot from your chairs and so forth. I think some people have forgotten their etiquette. You are a guest, not a vendor. You don't make your own wedding cake to serve. You don't bring your own DJ to play music. Why do you think that you have some right or obligation to bring your gear? If you want to practice your wedding shots, get a gig as an assistant wedding photographer. All too often, people ruin the hired photographer's shots because of their orange AF assist lights and red grids or their flash is going off at the same time and overexposing the shot because they are trying to get their own shot of a certain moment. Too many uncle Bobs in the aisle or jumping in front of the alter. I once had one of MY weddings blogged by a guest which seriously pissed me off. It's not ruining the photographer's photos. It's ruining the bride's and groom's photos. Do you let people come into your studio and just shoot while you're shooting? Jan 31 13 06:59 pm Link If you do not want to shoot the wedding, don't. Simple. If you think they are looking at poor photographers, it is probably because it is all they can afford. Long ago, back when I took weddings, I did take some for friends, and even my brother's wedding. Each time, I tried to convince them to find someone else, but they wanted to include me in the wedding. It became my wedding gift to them. If I was asked today, I'd decline on being out of practice, but I might consider paying for a good photographer as the wedding present. (Family, yes. Real close friends, yes. Others? Might donate towards the cause of getting a good photographer to do the honors.) And for friends and family, bring a point and shoot along, and capture some moments before the wedding (that they never saw as they prepared) and after the wedding at the reception of mutual friends. These do not have to works of art ready to enlarge on five foot canvas frames. These are the snapshots to bring a laugh or smile. Something you as a friend would see that even an experienced professional photographer might not ever notice. Jan 31 13 07:37 pm Link Heh. The last time I was asked to a wedding I was the best man. No one wanted me holding a camera. I don't bring my dSLRs to parties and I wouldn't bring them to a wedding. I have a little pocket camera that I take with me sometimes. One of the things I like most about it is the ability to make sure it doesn't fire the flash or use AF assist, so I'm not screwing with or disturbing anyone else. I had to photograph an awards event for work once. When trying to photograph the awards recipient one of my co-workers stood up, walked directly in my way and then had their flash ruin my shot when I moved and got ready to shoot again. I nearly walked over and broke his camera over his head. Jan 31 13 07:39 pm Link She chooses who she chooses. The best you can do is recommend nicely. If she's sticking with the first guy -- then that's her deal. Maybe she'll realize her error. Maybe she'll love her photographer. Either way, it's out of your hands. Jan 31 13 07:45 pm Link if you bring your camera to the wedding be sure to legally change your name to "uncle Bob" prior to stepping on a plane. here's a handy link to get you started (this only works for the OP's state. Everyone else find yer own) http://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2338.htm Jan 31 13 09:35 pm Link Buzz Photography LLC wrote: I don't know if I am going crazy, I checked the dates of the post over and over. But this is so similar to another post it is uncanny. All the responses were the same too. Jan 31 13 11:28 pm Link I'd tell your friend straight. Tell her the photographer shes picked is useless and contructrively point out why. Feb 01 13 02:33 am Link |
