I've photographed a lot of wedding this year and even though we are offered Alcohol at just about every wedding I don't always take them up on the offer. When I do I wont do it until the dancing has started. We will dance and drink along side our clients and their families and for the most part they LOVE IT!
We have met with several couples after the wedding and they have always complimented us about it. To them it is unexpected and they love that we are able to drink and dance while have a good time with them instead of just being a professional square at the end of the day. Yes, we are still taking photographs and yes we are still on the job.
We are only drinking moderately. We have never been drunk at a wedding and we don't plan to. Please keep in mind that these are only our best clients. The ones we click really well with and have insisted several times during the day for us to have a drink. Now by no means am I claiming that we take better photos by having a few drinks. I just wanted to be clear on that part.
In some ways it bothers me even after several offers by the couples themselves. I do wish to remain professional even at the end of the day, but a large part of me cannot ignore that when we do, our clients love that we are willing to party down with them.
I would like to know your thoughts on the subject. I know many photographers wont do it, but I find it very hard to ignore all of the positive things that our clients are saying and the referrals we are getting off of those clients.
I'm not sure if this is a genuine question about this old well worn chestnut or an excuse to put up some of the phsycadellic pics you make after you have had a few.
Despite the inevitable responses from uptight zealots with a wharped sense of professionalism that will want to berate anyone with an opposite opinion, I do agree with you.
While there may be some geographical or percieved senses of what is right or wrong, where I am and with many of the people I work with, It would be Highly insulting to them not to have a drink with them. Generally I don't drink bvefore I get to the reception ( but again sometimes you have to to avoid insult) and saying I have a drink does not mean I get plastered like a lot of the tea totallers instantly take it to mean.
I have never been drunk in my life and although I can handle a LOT more than most people ( and have actually been formally tested in a study to be able to verify this) I am happy to have one drink and leave it at that.
I have recieved loads of comments over the years of how good it was that I got in and had fun with the people and wasn't a stick in the mud stuck in the corner looking bored.
Some people may think they have to remain stoney faced to be professional But I have no trouble building rapport with the people and getting great shots at the same time.
So is the consensus that a person who simply doesn't drink at all is unable to enjoy himself? In what way does simply not drinking while otherwise rollicking and rolling have anything to do with "stick in the mud stuck in the corner looking bored" or "stoney faced?" Is it that some people can't have fun without alcohol?
RDKirk wrote:
So is the consensus that a person who simply doesn't drink at all is unable to enjoy himself? In what way does simply not drinking while otherwise rollicking and rolling have anything to do with "stick in the mud stuck in the corner looking bored" or "stoney faced?" Is it that some people can't have fun without alcohol?
Ok CLEARLY that's not what anyone is saying...i love a cold beer as much as the next guy, and i've been offered drinks before...i usually politely say no thanks, all it takes is one guest at the wedding to tell someone "the photog was drinking", then they tell someone "the photog was trashed!!!" .... I say look right, act right, be right...plus, my work is bad enough already, no need to make it worse....
glort wrote:
Despite the inevitable responses from uptight zealots with a wharped sense of professionalism that will want to berate anyone with an opposite opinion,
So is the consensus that a person who simply doesn't drink at all is unable to enjoy himself? In what way does simply not drinking while otherwise rollicking and rolling have anything to do with "stick in the mud stuck in the corner looking bored" or "stoney faced?" Is it that some people can't have fun without alcohol?
glort wrote:
I'm not sure if this is a genuine question about this old well worn chestnut or an excuse to put up some of the phsycadellic pics you make after you have had a few.
Despite the inevitable responses from uptight zealots with a wharped sense of professionalism that will want to berate anyone with an opposite opinion, I do agree with you.
While there may be some geographical or percieved senses of what is right or wrong, where I am and with many of the people I work with, It would be Highly insulting to them not to have a drink with them. Generally I don't drink bvefore I get to the reception ( but again sometimes you have to to avoid insult) and saying I have a drink does not mean I get plastered like a lot of the tea totallers instantly take it to mean.
I have never been drunk in my life and although I can handle a LOT more than most people ( and have actually been formally tested in a study to be able to verify this) I am happy to have one drink and leave it at that.
I have recieved loads of comments over the years of how good it was that I got in and had fun with the people and wasn't a stick in the mud stuck in the corner looking bored.
Some people may think they have to remain stoney faced to be professional But I have no trouble building rapport with the people and getting great shots at the same time. ...Show more →
I thought everyone down under was drunk all the time.
You are a hired professional not a guest. You should not be drinking at the wedding. However you are free to do as you want. Of course if it is a friend or relative's wedding than that would be different.
I don't drink in front of clients. If I smoked, I wouldn't do that in front of clients, either. And I certainly won't drink on the job. No puritanical hogwash or "zealot" BS here, I just don't think it's professional.
Simple question: Why do it? Just work and have fun working. Though some folks find a need/reason/excuse to drink and they call it anything they think will be ok with the masses.....there still no point in it to me. If you're thirsty on the job drink water.
Also, if someone says 'have a drink', that doesn't mean drink alcohol. That easily means 'we know you have worked your butt off. Have some water, soda, ice tea....'
I don't drink when I'm being paid to do a job. I don't get out on the dance floor and dance, either, but that's more because I'm afraid my clients would think I'm having an epileptic seizure, an aneurysm, or both simultaneously.
Why don't I drink? Let's suppose I tripped over something. I can manage to do that while sober. Suppose I broke something. I'm thinking my insurance agent isn't going to like reports of my drinking at the wedding right before I stumbled around in a drunken stupor. Doesn't matter if I'm drunk or not. If I have witnesses saying I've been drinking, I'm not thinking I'll be portrayed in the best light if something unfortunate happened.
Alcohol--even in small quantities--makes me physically ill, so I don't drink at all. You might as well be asking my feelings on drinking drain cleaner. Whether I'm taking photos is irrelevant; whether I'm acting in a professional capacity is also irrelevant. Can't have me none.
I photographed weddings in the southern US where attitudes towards drinking are more conservative. The serving of alcohol at the reception was the exception instead of the rule. I was offered alcohol every once in a while and always declined. None of my customers were offended. I only provided an explanation when asked. I had plenty of fun and wasn't considered a fuddy duddy.
Michael, it sounds like you're being careful selecting the situations where you drink. However, you might want to do some thinking about the potential risks and if you're willing to take them. If you ever have an unhappy customer, this is a mighty big stick they could use to beat you.
I've almost always been offered a drink by the bride or groom during dinner or the reception and rarely refuse. I am also an adult and know when to stop before it has an effect on my behavior or performance. There is usually a point during a reception where the b&g want me to enjoy myself so I have a vodka and tonic, do a bit of dancing, and chatting. This comes from working my ass off the rest of the time and the clients realizing that. I have a great time with the wedding party and usually get some other business from it. In almost every aspect of my business I have found that clients want to work with someone that can get the job done and have fun with them also. Basically, if someone offers you a drink and you can have one and still control yourself, why not?
I think having a glass of wine during dinner, if offered is acceptable.
I think partaking in beers, mixers or cocktails is unacceptable.
If you're at a friend's wedding, and you're not doing it as a professional, I can see it. However, even if you're not working, you're always representing your brand name, and anyone can be a potential client. If you're out being a jackass in public, that is in effect, trashing your brand name.
RDKirk wrote:
What about your second shooters and assistants drinking?
No and no.
Hell, there is alcohol offered at events that I photograph (MMA), and I do not drink then. If I bring an assistant (for my journalism work), they are told not to drink. If they were to drink, they would be let go on the spot.
I don't drink alcohol even when I am not working. But just let's say I enjoy drinking and I still wouldn't want to drink when being offered at a client's wedding. I never enjoy drinking because it impairs my senses, especially when I am paid to shoot, I prefer to stay sharp and focus.
I just wanted to be clear on that part.
