I have one camera in my hand, and one around my shoulder at all times, so I wouldn't be able to hold onto a drink, and I couldn't set it down because I move all over the place.
SoloHiker wrote:
I seem to get one distinct impression from this discussion: professionalism means different things to different people.
You're only as professional as you're perceived by your community. If your community thinks it's OK to drink on-the-job, then it's all good. I guess the folks that think it's OK to drink while working wouldn't have an issue with their dentist tossing back a few during a procedure. Good to know there are still some real professionals out there.
/thread
I guess the bottom line here is...why even take a chance drinking while at work and being perceived as unprofessional? Is the drink that important to people? I don't believe anyone has ever lost photography work by not drinking...but can anyone be sure they did not lose business because they were seen drinking while trying to photograph a wedding? I know I would pass on a photographer that drinks while doing a job.
I think this thread has me more worked up than any other in the 7 or so years I've been on here. Some of you are flat out ridiculous. You make it seem like having a drink at a wedding is akin to a commercial pilot shooting heroin in the cockpit. I have a blast at weddings. My clients love me. Every wedding I've ever shot, except the first, has been a referral. At the end of the night, or a day after, most of my clients will call or email to make sure I had a great time... They know they got what they paid for and are genuinely concerned that I enjoyed myself. There is a point in most receptions where the wheels fall off. Everyone is drunk. They are sweaty, shirts untucked, etc. They mob me and want me to come have a drink with them. They ask me because they want to hang with me. At that point my work is done. Sure, I have a drink with them and they love it. They ask to hear wedding horror stories of bridezillas, etc. Then I do a bit of dancing with them, take a few photos with them. The parents love me and the next day, without fail, I get an email from a friend that was there that wants to know if I'm available to shoot their wedding.
The point of this is that you can't say for certain that you should NEVER drink at a wedding... Our business is one of salesmanship. The first rule of sales is: Dance to the music played. So I do.
They know they got what they paid for and are genuinely concerned that I enjoyed myself. There is a point in most receptions where the wheels fall off. Everyone is drunk.
hondageek wrote:
Some of you are flat out ridiculous.
Since we're in this deep, I might as well drive some to drink. Oh, I see you're already there!
Not only did I not drink at weddings, I also didn't like photographing weddings where there was heavy drinking. There was always someone acting the fool who would make group shots difficult if not impossible. Here's a hint to the sloshed: you're not that funny. I regarded my job as capturing nice photos of the wedding party and guests. Intoxicated people don't look their best. Also, in too many instances, I have seen the bride leave her reception in tears because drunk Uncle Joe got beligerent and made and ass out of himself. All of a sudden, the reception is not about the bride and groom but the inappropriate behavior of the drunk relative or friend.
I also didn't care for weddings where members of the wedding party, especially the bride and/or groom, show up either half lit or heavily hung over. They tended to be uncooperative or just looked terrible. Just like you can't fix ugly, you can't fix drunk.
Now for the part that will be ignored. I did photograph numerous weddings where there was responsible drinking. For lack of a better way to describe them, these were people who were "raised right". There might be a champagne toast or nice wine was served.
Our business is one of salesmanship. The first rule of sales is: Dance to the music played. So I do.
OTOH, the bartenders and bargirls don't drink, and their job is also sales.
With regard to anecdotes about salespeople in luncheon sales meetings: In those circumstances, the salespeople are using entertainment as a sales device. I may do the same thing: Take a client to lunch, provide drinks and snacks at a session. Once upon a time, I would have provided wine as an option at a shooting session--I do not do that anymore.
But a sales session is one thing, a working session is another. If I were in the IT business, I might allow my sales staff to have luncheon drinks with the clients, but I would never allow my installers to drink while they were installing the equipment.
Closer to the point, if I were a caterer, I might allow my sales staff to have luncheon drinks with a prospective wedding client, but I would never allow the catering staff to drink with the client during the reception, nor would I allow my bartender to drink during the reception.
Yet, while my operational staff is working at the reception, they are certainly still representing my business and to the extent that they are "representing," they do perform a sales function, but entertaining the client is not part of the operational function.
hondageek wrote:
This thread is hilarious! I can't believe all of the high and mighty BS from the "I'd never, ever..." crowd. Quoting professionalism as a reason is ridiculous. Use your judgement and have a drink if you're offered one. For Christ's sake, most of the big business dealings around the world are done over drinks. Anyone in sales that reads this thread would think we're a bunch of dorks. I can't remember the last time I shot something and didn't have drinks! You're a photographer not a neurosurgeon. Lighten up.
You do what works for you. I'll keep on not drinking while working.
Say what you will about sales people and businessmen who drink while making deals, the vast majority of business does not work this way. I personally don't care about what a random sales person thinks of how I conduct business.
The question implies one is incapable of having a cocktail and remaining professional, apparently one drink and they are worthless.
When I shoot a wedding - I only second shoot weddings, not interested in developing with it further - I usually have two drinks. I assure you, 2 cocktails in a 6' 220# man is not going to impair my ability to work.
I have no issues not drinking at weddings, BTW. But if my choice is pepsi or a gimlet, I am having a gimlet.
As for a remark I read above; I usually do not have Lobster or Prime Rib at my day job but I certainly do when I shoot weddings.
hondageek wrote: This thread is hilarious! I can't believe all of the high and mighty BS from the "I'd never, ever..." crowd. Quoting professionalism as a reason is ridiculous. Use your judgement and have a drink if you're offered one. For Christ's sake, most of the big business dealings around the world are done over drinks. Anyone in sales that reads this thread would think we're a bunch of dorks. I can't remember the last time I shot something and didn't have drinks! You're a photographer not a neurosurgeon. Lighten up.
The interesting thing in this thread is that it's the drinkers who are being the most judgmental and directive.
It's weird, but I get offered drinks a lot, especially at weddings. Maybe it's because I'm a guy in my 20s. I don't always take up the offer either. For instance, I was shooting some pics for our an article in our alt-weekly paper on a newly-opened bar & grille. The owner immediately offered me a beer, which I declined, because a) I can't be tending to a drink while I'm trying to do my work, and b) I don't want word to get back to my boss that I was drinking on an assignment! Weddings are a whole 'nother animal. I feel that, given the client, it's OK to share a drink with them and become part of the party to a small extent. I think they appreciate that and want you to have a little fun amidst the hundreds of pictures you've been taking for hours. The offer usually comes later into the reception. I would never get drunk. Many of the best wedding photogs agree with this. My photography hero - Chip Litherland - is one of the best in the biz IMO and drinks with clients occasionally. See this blog post.
So.....if you were having surgery...even minor surgery...say a vasectomy..would it be OK for the surgeon to have one or two drinks? One or surely wouldn't impair the doctor...would it?
I'm pretty sure wedding photography isn't a potential life-and-death situation. I wouldn't care if the band or dj playing at my wedding had a couple drinks. I wouldn't care if the caterers had a couple drinks. I would care if my surgeon, or pilot, or anyone else extremely important where my life is in their hands had a drink. Let's not combine apples to oranges, cause that just gets stupid.
Personally, I think it is totally unprofessional to have a drink on the job, no matter what the job is. Everyone mentions sales people have a drink with the client...but this is done after the work is complete and the social aspect of the job is entered. I am sure the sales person was not kicking back a couple in the boardroom as he was making a presentation.
I have no issues with a photographer having a drink or two at the wedding as long as his job is done, his equipment stored away and he is there in a purely social function. Just because the bride or groom or some other member of the wedding party gets you a drink does not mean you need to accept. Most likely they've had a few drinks and just might not be thinking straight. Maybe you the photographer who has been hired to do a job should keep their wits about them and just finish off your job before sitting down for a drink.
All I know is the single gimlet I had this evening completely destroyed all photos taken seconds after my first sip. Clearly it was impossible for my to shoot an image while also having a beverage. how would tending to a gimlet be any different than tending to a coke?
I know the bride and groom must have been wasted, otherwise they would never have told us how much they enjoyed working with us and how we made the day better buy calming their stress; me specifically with the groom.
rhyder wrote:
So.....if you were having surgery...even minor surgery...say a vasectomy..would it be OK for the surgeon to have one or two drinks? One or surely wouldn't impair the doctor...would it?
