When A Guest-With-Camera Saves The Wedding Photography
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Have you ever knocked on the door of the bride’s suite on the morning of her wedding, camera in hand, ready to go – only to find some guest already there with a better camera than you? 
Well, this has actually happened to me on more than one occasion (which either says something about my gear or the confidence brides have in my abilities), but what happened this past weekend was unique.
Read on and I’ll share the story.
If you’re a pro wedding photographer, the guest-with-camera phenomenon is nothing new. There is always some budding wedding photog who has decided that today would be the perfect day to follow you around for the day and annoy the hell out of you.
I have several strategies for dealing with a guest-with-camera who has decided to latch onto my leg for the day…most involve making them carry as much of my stuff that I can get away with, and speaking to them with as much insider photographer jargon that I can think of – like “Hey VAL, do you think the thirty two hundred kelvin tungsten color cast from that lamp will affect the dynamic range of my rim lighting, or should I use a 0.6 ND to get down two stops so I can shoot at 1.4?”
But this guest-with-camera was different. This guy had a Canon 5D MkIII with a 24-70 f/2.8 AND a 70-200 f/2.8 AND a 580ex AND a really cool belt clip full of color correction gels.
I mean, I don’t have a complete set of color correction gels on my belt – WTF!
I should also add that he was dressed very nicely – not as nice as me, I am a pro and a three piece suit is my uniform – but dressing nicely is unheard of within the guest-with-camera crowd.
OK, so framing the dress in the mirror was actually my videographer’s idea – but I set up this shot. It involved putting a sheet over the ugly window air conditioner unit, pushing the dresser about two feet forward so it didn’t block the corner of the window, moving the TV so I could physically place my camera at the right angle, moving the lamp and end table that was in the corner…oh and actually putting the dress in the window and arranging the shoes, necklace box and necklace.
(1/125 sec at f/2.8, ISO 800, 24mm with an on camera flash in TTL -2/3 with the head zoomed out and pointed straight up…in case you were wondering.)
I’m not ashamed to admit that I locked the door to the other room where the guest-with-camera was shooting way too many photos of the girls getting their makeup done while I photographed this.
Next it was time to photograph the girls getting ready. At this point, the girls were about 45 minutes behind schedule due to a makeup malfunction, so the “getting in the dress” ritual took about 10 seconds.
Really, I have never seen a bride get in her dress and go out the door faster!
That is to say that I was not giving up prime position for this shot. I mean, I even made the bed in their room so that if it was reflected in the mirror, it would be neat and tidy.
(Exact same settings as the last photo.)
After the girls left in the limo, I went to find the guys. In a miracle that will never be explained, the guys were actually dressed and ready to go.
So I actually had about two minutes to set-up ye-olde hotel lobby groomsmen semi-gangsta shot.
(1/125 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1600, 35mm with an on camera flash in TTL -2/3 with the head zoomed out and pointed straight up.)
After the usual Grand Theft Auto race to the venue (I beat the guy’s limo by 15 minutes…oh ya) I had 15 minutes to grab a few of the glam photos of the bride and the girls that I missed at the hotel.
(1/125 sec at f2.8, ISO 1600, 35mm – natural light from a window to camera left.)
Next was the wedding ceremony. I would rather photograph an outdoor wedding ceremony every time over any dark, dingy church (with some obvious exceptions), but at 4:00 on a summer afternoon without a cloud in the sky…there is only so much you can do. The only thing I could think of was to add a 0.6 neutral density filter to help my flash out, and to use a polarizer. If I was going to be photographing blue skies, they better be damn blue!
(1/250 sec at f/3.5, ISO 200, 24mm with an on camera flash in manual at 1/1 with the head zoomed out and pointed straight ahead.)
Do you know what you don’t see in this photo? A guest-with-camera right in the middle of the isle. He’s in the photo (10 points if you can find him), but he was actually extremely courteous and asked me where it would be OK for him to shoot from (ie. anywhere except the middle of the isle…or in front of the bride and groom…or, well, pretty much anywhere that would disrupt the ceremony). Ya, amazing right?
After the ceremony, I did a few sets of the wedding party and then the bride and groom together. There wasn’t much shade, but we did manage to find a pretty nice spot beside the barn – and it was late enough in the day to get a little cow bell.
(1/125 sec at f/2.8, ISO 800, 24mm with a 0.6 neutral density and polarizing filter – natural light sun flare.)
Which brings me to my hero shot for the day. At this point, the bride and groom were pretty much toast. We were all hot and tired, but we had just enough time left to go down to the nice, cool, smelly and dingy wine cellar. I had the idea for this shot in my head since I had scouted out the location, and I knew that we would be going down there at some point.
But when we got there, I realized I only had one strobe with me.
I set up the shot anyway, figuring that it would still make a nice silhouette.
(1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 400, 50mm – strobe on a light stand behind the couple and to camera right in manual at about 1/16th with the head zoomed out and pointed back towards the camera.)
The silhouette shot was OK, but not really what I wanted. I was about to call it a day and send the bride and groom up to the bar when my guest-with-camera (who had been with us all day) volunteered to let me use HIS strobe!
For real – this happened. One photographer offered to help out another. Mind blown.
Luckily, I was using my Cactus V6 triggers which can be used to trigger both Canon and Nikon strobes – as opposed to my usual Pocket Wizard Mini TT1 / Flex TT5 setup – which is Nikon only. (Incidentally, since my initial review, the Cactus V6 triggers have found a permanent home in my camera bag – although they do still have a few quirks).
(1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 400, 50mm – strobe on a light stand behind the couple and to camera right in manual at about 1/16th with the head zoomed out and pointed back towards the camera. Another strobe at about 1/16th held high to camera right by guest-with-camera).
I love giving my clients photos like this because they are so unexpected. All they see is a dingy wine cellar – but when you pull off a really cool shot like this, the wow factor is incredible – so I was really happy that I was able to get the shot I wanted – with a little unexpected help from a guest-with-camera.
Have You Ever Had Another Photographer Help You Out?
Have you ever had another photographer offer to let you use their gear to get your shot?
Or is every photographer you have ever met a selfish, competitive jerk?
Leave a comment below and let us know!
JP Danko
JP Danko is a commercial photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
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45 responses to “When A Guest-With-Camera Saves The Wedding Photography”
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
Describes almost every time I shoot. There’s usually someone who needs a speedlight or a faster lens
I’ve been on the “guest” side of the story. Both times were not as nice as yours went. I respect other photographers and know exactly how they feel when, on an official shoot, somebody walks around with two camera bodies taking candid ninja shots.
In any case, in both occasions, despite my attempts to talk to the photographers and assure them that i would not be in their way, they instantly threw hissie fits about how i shouldn’t be there. One went up to the bride and groom 5 minutes before they were to walk down the isle, threatening to terminate the contract because he saw me carrying two cameras. Another literally pushed me out the door in anger.
In both instances, a simple talk or gtky would’ve sufficed to determine that i pose no threat. An attempt i’ve made, but was quickly ignored.
As much as i love to photograph in and out of work, i try to leave the good cameras home when participating in these types of events these days. Too much non-essential drama. On the upside, it makes me a better official photographer when called upon… i already know what guests like these would feel like if treated the way i was — not good. It’s nice to see things from both sides of the street.
If I would hear a “pro” say “Hey VAL, do you think the thirty two hundred kelvin tungsten color cast from that lamp will affect the dynamic range of my rim lighting, or should I use a 0.6 ND to get down two stops so I can shoot at 1.4?” I would not take him serious for the rest of his life…
Or just reply “it won’t matter with your crappy gear” or replace crappy and insert canon/nikon.
Well at least he did not try that on the guy with the 5Dm3. He might not have gotten the flash later on.
tl;dr version: “Look at my awesome work! Also: A nice guest borrowed me a flash.”
“Professional photographer needs to borrow gear from wedding guest”. Don’t know if I would want to write about that anyway.
I had a guest photographing everything alongside me one day and when we got to the first dance he was sat with his arms crossed, looking a bit miserable. He’d left his extra memory cards at home, so I lent him one of mine to get the dance on. He was made up and sent me my card back two days later-Couldn’t stop saying nice things about me to the couple and actually recommended me to another couple (he doesn’t shoot weddings professionally). It pays to be nice sometimes. :)
This is awesome. Great way to reach out and get more business as an added plus.
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
Jajaja yo salvé un reportaje de un familiar hace unos años….
I was a guest with camera to a wedding a few years back (I shoot weddings but he was a good mate and I wanted to celebrate the day with him without looking through a viewfinder) He got married here in the UK and on the first day that England were playing in the World Cup. When it came to the first dance, cake cutting and all those other evening activities their official photographer was nowhere to be seen.. yep you guessed it, he was sat drinking beer and watching the game!!! Luckily I had my camera gear in the car and capture those moments for them.
I showed up to a friend’s wedding once where the primary shooter canceled the day before. They hastily had found a replacement but knowing the situation I offered to shoot secondary and they wanted me to. It was well out of town and I’d packed some gear in the car for the mini-vacation, so I did what I could with the limited equipment I had.
The replacement shooter had equipment problems, wasn’t there in time for the dance and cake, and had to borrow a memory card from me. On top of that, she later managed to lose ALL of their images. The only images the couple now has to remember their day were what I shot for them while staying out of the way of the primary shooter.
THAT is when a GWaC saves the wedding photos.
I guess I don’t understand this at all. Are photographers just usually douches to each other for no good reason?
As an astronomer and astrophotographer we are all helpful and try to work together so everyone gets good shots. At my last event I had forgot to bring a spare 9V battery for my finder and a couple of people searched all over and found one for me. I have gotten so much processing advice I would not know where to start to thank people… except by offering my own help and advice when I am able.
Wedding photography, like sideline sports photography is ultra competitive. There is also the omnipresent background tension between the pros who are there to do a job, and everyone else with a camera who thinks they could do it better – which tends to lead to friction. In my experience the real asshats are photographers who are not confident in their ability – so they get angry if someone else gets “their shot”. In this case, both the GWaC and I were pretty experienced, so a little mutual respect worked out well for everyone.
I agreed to take the back seat at a friend’s wedding when he discovered his bride had booked her best friend. The compromise was to 2nd shoot and cover the lads prep etc.
I showed up with my Nikon D3s, 35, 85 & 105 and the other tog’s jaw dropped. She was expecting me however my gear dwarfed her two Canon 550Ds with a 10-20mm on one and a 50mm 1.8 on the other.
I assured her I was not gonna get in her way but after the ceremony I saw her looking flushed and went over to enquire. Her flash had stopped working jus before family formals so I yanked my SB800, gave it to her to use but alas she did not understand manual flash.
I called a fellow Canon shooter and within half an hour a new flash came along at which point she was doing couple shots. She accepted the flash and asked me to leave the room as she was uncomfortable with me watching
Been the guest with camera. First thing I did after saying hi to friends and family is to talk with the official photographer and get the griund rules from them. This is their job, their livelihood. They get to set the rules and tone.
Have always been a good encounter. But then again, it depends on the wedding, the photographers involved, and the guest involved.
This article read like: “I didn’t want to deal with the guest with camera and despite my trying to steer clear of him, he surprised me by helping me out.”
It sounded like the guest was being respectful and had the shooting experience to notice what the wedding photographer’s shot needed and helped out, but otherwise, left him alone.
The thing I don’t understand is: how does the photographer dare to complain about a guest?! Just to understand, the importance of a photographer on a wedding, is below the waiters. Sorry guys, the wedding can happen with or without you. Also, the guests are way much more important than you. If on my wedding the photographer came to me to complain about my friend with the camera, not to mention being impolite with him/her. I would send him home.
You need to understand, that there is a wedding, and you are photographing it. It’s not your photo event that was made for you to photograph.
I’ve never shot a wedding before (and I don’t plan on shooting one, ever, or even actually GOING to one), but I think I can understand the official photographers complaining. They get hired to get good shots so that the couple can remember their wedding with amazing photos for the rest of their lives. Having a guest just taking snapshots in the middle of the ceremony makes those shots almost impossible to get. When the photog has to show their pictures to the couple, if they only got crappy shots because a guest was always between them and the couple, preventing them from getting ‘the’ shot, it could completely ruin their reputation.
Whining about idiots on a wedding here is absolutely fine. Doing the same at the actual wedding, not fine. Breaking down gear is one of the photographer’s technical problem, other obstacles are the creative problems. None is the couple’s or guests’ problem. Deal with it. I have never heard of a wedding photographer telling the couple that the church of their choice is not good, because it’s too dark, or the venue is not good, since it has mixed lights.
Anyway, in my opinion the wedding industry made the whole event a horrible thing. Originally it was a fun day, now it is a nightmare. Photos also overrated thanks to the wedding photographers, who think that they are the most important part of the wedding and the result of a wedding must be nothing else than great photos.
Hey, why don’t we invite a photographer for signing our mortgage contract?
I know many of you have a higher blood pressure now, but think it over and be just a bit more humble.
(I had no pro on my wedding, just friends with mediocre cameras. I’ve got awesome pictures. No, they won’t win any competition, but remind me of my friends and a good day. Not a show.)
I was guest with camera and helped the photographer fix there camera. The shutter was some how locked in the open position. Even after removing the battery the shutter would not come down. I put the camera into the MUP setting and the window came down….Ironically I think this was the first time the photographer used this camera.
I like to help people taking selfies in dark places by adding a side light with my smartphone :)
I was shooting a roller derby game for class about three years ago, and the event photographer there let me use his 300 EF 1.4. He walked up and struck a conversation and kinda asked about my gear. After a bit he took it right off the body of his and attached it to mine, and even let me run around with it for fifteen minutes.
Earlier this year, I was shooting a wedding (photography), and the videographers showed up just before the ceremony with Canon 6Ds (full frame) and EF-S (crop sensor) lenses. They had rented the equipment, and just happened to miss that the lenses were EF-S during the rental process. Yikes!
Thankfully (for them), between me and my second shooter, we were each able to come up with a lens or two that they could use for the ceremony and reception. I can’t even imagine how terrible it would have been if we hadn’t been willing to share! I also ended up loaning them a tripod (which I just happened to have in case we ended up doing long-exposure stuff later on).
Slightly different context, I know, but plenty of photogs have really negative attitudes toward videographers as well.