Photographer Sharon Casey with Videographers Alastair Brown (left) and his assistant Martin (centre) discuss camera technique at their meal break at my eldest daughter's wedding yesterday.

Apologies for poor iPhone photo taken after two glasses of wine and several pints of Belhaven Best.

It's amazing what you can do in photoshop these days... you nearly had me believing this was a real photo.

Seriously though, I think the whole videographers vs photographer thing gets blown out of proportion. Like anything on the internet, you only hear the complaints, but very few good stories. Nobody has a good experience with a vendor and then runs home to blow off steam about it on a forum. For every uncooperative, arragant photographer there are three courteuos, professional photographers and one who is a absolute dream to work with - it's just that you never hear about those ones.

Small world,

Sharon my photographer at wedding last year, and alistair is also man behind glidetrack, whose world wide hq happens to be in my neck of the woods.

Small world

Hi Colin

That just proves it's not a myth!! Then again after a fair number of pints of Belhaven Best they would probably be best of friends...remember this is the reception now..the ceremony fighting is just a distant memory!! At this stage the pace slows, the food is good so friendships blossom!!

Seriously, I normally make a point of eating with the photog and the company is enjoyable. One thing you didn't point out is that the poor girl is outnumbered in this one...it's normally the other way around!!

Nice to see peaceful co-existence!!

Chris

Back in the day when I used to shoot weddings, peaceful coexistence with the photographer was the rule, not the exception. We shared downtown studio space with one of the best bridal photographers in the area and I worked side by side with him quite a bit. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a negative encounter with a photographer. The idea that it's some sort of problem in this market is really overblown so far out of proportion that it's ridiculous, and I'm speaking from many years of experience.

Chris is right!!

It's more the exception than the rule. I normally have a great time with the photog and we always end up exchanging business cards and work well together. The postive experiences in a full season can often be 100% but we always tend to remember the bad ones even if they were ages ago!! Look at the news!! Good news is seldom a newsworthy item only bad news so you don't even hear about the good stuff as people want to listen/read only about "Photographer and Videographer fight at wedding" ... "photographer and videographer work in perfect harmony" just isn't newsworthy!!!

If you liase and make friends with the photog BEFORE the show begins then things will go smoothly...I think also your own attitude makes a big difference and having respect for each other.

Remember that there must be photogs that have also experienced the "videographer from hell"

It's all about working together and keeping in mind that the bride is more important than both of you.

Chris

I have tried to be friends with theme before as well.
I even called the photographer prior to the event to say Hi and I got a snob guy who does not know what do i want from him
It is all about personalty. some of theme think that it is all about theme and ignore you all the time and some are low key.
What I did notice is that photographers always in a rush and uptight. As well they are freaking out when the video guy try to take control.
I tend to talk with the copes prior to the wedding and advice on the parts that I need control,that way I get what i need.
Even then, I have a photographer that try to tell me how to film the first look and try to take over the control.
If you are asking me, I think that some of theme ignorant.

For every uncooperative, arragant photographer there are three courteuos, professional photographers and one who is a absolute dream to work with - it's just that you never hear about those ones.

Absolutely true!!

Small world,
Sharon my photographer at wedding last year...

"BIG smile, James..... WAAAAAY hey!"

I have never had a bad experience with a photographer. They've all been more than willing to help out and work together. Every once in a while they jump into my shot, but I'm equally as guilty of stepping in front of them occasionally.

No matter what, I just stay positive, personable and helpful.

So true, so true, so true

For every uncooperative, arragant photographer there are three courteuos, professional photographers and one who is a absolute dream to work with - it's just that you never hear about those ones.

I shot a wedding on Saturday with a photographer that I've worked with many times. Probably a dozen times during the shoot, he actually glanced at my LCD to check my frame before moving forward to get his shot. He wanted to make sure he wasn't blocking me. Now that's courtesy!

In my years doing weddings, I've found photographers to be almost universally great to work with.

Yep, 99% of the photogs I've worked with over the years have been good to work with. We respect each others craft and try to work together. Sometimes the first time you work with someone there may be a glitch or 2 but nothing worth warring over and the next time it isn't an issue BUT there's usually 1 a year that get's to me and we do have words. I always start out being nice but then I'm not so nice and if need be I'm a real "treat" (IOW, I can be a great big SOB) but that has only happened maybe 2 or 3 times in the last 10 or 11 years.
Most are good folks and a pleasure to work with.

As with all people that I meet at a wedding, photographers are a mixed bunch, I've encountered uncooperative drivers, hotel staff, vicars (that goes without saying), DJs, as well as photographers.

I couldn't put a percentage on it but I've worked with many more amenable photographers than obstructive ones, in fact I've made some good friends from the photographers some who I now meet with socially, and have even covered family weddings for some of them.

As for eating with the 'opposition' I always do that (if they are still around) even if it's been a fraught day and they have been particularly difficult to work with, which is usually when there is more than one. Most don't have the intention of 'spoiling' our work just concentrating on doing theirs.

I'm shocked you didn't give them a table to sit at inside the wedding ballroom! :p

"I'm shocked you didn't give them a table to sit at inside the wedding ballroom!"

That would be the last place I'd want to take a break at a wedding. I prefer a back room well away where I can take my shoes off and relax for a while.

"I'm shocked you didn't give them a table to sit at inside the wedding ballroom!"

That would be the last place I'd want to take a break at a wedding. I prefer a back room well away where I can take my shoes off and relax for a while.

That is very true. I'm just so use to things happening so quickly down here that if I'm away from the room I can end up missing some key moments with my clients. I retract my statement! :)

Once the bride and groom have taken their place I keep well away from the room until just before the speeches. It is one of my stipulations that I don't film anyone eating. It gives them sometime out of the 'spotlight' and the guests don't have to worry that they'll be seen on the video stuffing food into their face.

I agree with that but I don't film weddings. I film Quinceanera's and once she starts greeting people it's back to work for me.

I had to google that. I learn something new every day.

I think a video of a girl's fifteenth birthday here would be a very different thing to the ones you do.

Just for interest George

At ethnic weddings (which I only did one and never again) you are expected to film the guests serving themselves and eating too..the couple need to know that their guests are enjoying their food!!

In fact they expect everything to be filmed non-stop ..the very reason I only ever did one!!!

I have done a Barmitzvah once when the usual Jewish videographer couldn't make it ..much like a wedding.

A Quinceanera's are a big deal in Spanish culture (as important as a Jewish Barmitzvah) so parent's are quite happy to have all the trimmings...don't see any in our part of the world though!!!

I have had the odd request for a 16th Birthday but the Mom just about choked on the cost..I guess she figured it would only be $100 or so?????

I must admit I like to have a "service table" in the corner away from guests so I can see what's going on and not miss anything..the photogs and I once were about to tuck into a nice steak when the MC called the FOB for his speech..luckily the venue kept it warm for me!!! I try to have a seat with an "overview" now so nothing is missed , despite having the reception running sheet which is often not adheared to!!

Chris

I have had the privileged of filming a few Asian weddings and yes, at the first one I was almost manhandled around the tables to film what brothers, uncles or cousins thought I should be filming and at the most recent one, which I posted about recently, one of the complaints I had was that I didn't film the guests eating.

As for the Quinceanera, I'd never come across that term or event before today, but then there are not that many Spaniards where I live, though I have travelled quite widely in Spanish speaking countries.

...I think a video of a girl's fifteenth birthday here would be a very different thing to the ones you do.Most definitely. It's just cool to see or read how things are different from region to region. Good conversation George.