Why doesnt the bride do her homework first? about how,where photos are to be taken...and if she cant get what she wants at a particular venue...go to one that does,if these photos are so important,and dont put the photographer in the middle...
lukeb wrote:
What happens if I don't sign it? Would they just ban me (not that they know who I am)?
I know of churches that ban photogs they don't like. They collect your business card after the service, keep it on file, and compare for upcoming weddings. Don't ask me how I know this.
Chris Beaumont wrote:
It's way too vague to be legally binding surely?
I am not American, nor a lawyer (anymore) however here Down Under contracts (of which this is) are only as good the lawyer that has to back them up in court.
So, if the OP ignored the contract he/she signed (no witness signature there I see!) and the priest booted them out, wrecked the wedding. Then the bride went for damages in a civil suit (no law has been broken) then the defense would have to argue that the contract was not valid or did not apply or other such thing.
andrew81 wrote:
I am not American, nor a lawyer (anymore) however here Down Under contracts (of which this is) are only as good the lawyer that has to back them up in court.
So, if the OP ignored the contract he/she signed (no witness signature there I see!) and the priest booted them out, wrecked the wedding. Then the bride went for damages in a civil suit (no law has been broken) then the defense would have to argue that the contract was not valid or did not apply or other such thing.
I think that we are missing a point here. What may have happened here is that some guy went to best buy (why is it always Best Buy) bought a DSLR, got a wedding and just interrupted the ceremony of a bride and groom and showed no respect for ones religion. Then the church, synagogue, place of worship issued a blanket statement saying no more photographers are allowed to do this. I think that the church got a bad taste from a very unprofessional photographer. I have had churches (Villinova University) tell me that I can't shoot during the ceremony and I have to stay in the back. I wait for the priest and ask him if he is OK and I assure him that the couple will be the main focus of this sacrament not me the photographer. Their eyes usually light up because I just explained to him that I understand why we are all here on this day.
If you shoot weddings take the time to understand the religion and the reasons why things are done during the ceremony I not saying you have to get a degree in Theology but show your clients y understand them and let them know you're not a wedding photography mill.
I not saying that anyone above or below this post is doing this, I'm saying that this is what works for me.
I would first ask the couple if they have read this form and ask if this is exactly what they want. If so, have them sign a form that will cover you, stating that pictures fro the ceremony will not be provided.
If not, ask them to speak with the officiant for permission, if unsuccessful I'd strongly recommend getting another church that will allow for pictures during the ceremony. (yes Iv've had a client actually drop their venue because of this kind of conflict) it is also part of my contract.
Let me know if you need more help regarding this issue, this year I want to be more active in the forums other than buy/sell equipment.
Edited to add that we stay in the back during the ceremony and never, never go near the couple or altar. A 70-200 2.8 with stabilizer is a must have, I'm sure you have this in your line up.
i dont see a problem if the couple agrees that ,
just be sure your talking to the couple and they know that they wont be having any photos from the ceremony ,
and if they agree , thats cool for you since you will be shooting less .
if they wont agree i think its their problem to talk to the church about the ceremony and maybe finding a new church near by or something .
im having a wedding on may , at a venue that sent my a form that i have to sign that i cant use any lighting stands , and cables or something that can make people slip\fall or get hurt from it ,
wierd rules but looks like they are scared to get sued or something
Is the church videoing the ceremony and selling to the couple?
I'd go to their rehearsal, understand what you can do, and then do what they in combo agree to - with the bride there with the pastor when they are saying the do's and don'ts - then amend that doc to what is said at the rehearsal
Pastors like me because I spend the hour at the rehearsal and they get to know me
The bride can influence the whole thing with her there- the pastor doesn't want to upset what she wants
So then you end up with a modified document giving you more access and selling more pics
One of the reasons why picked up a couple fuji x10's and getting the new fuji pro1, we were restricted to not take any photos during the ceremony once the bride was down the aisle. Unless we were way in the back or in the balcony. Which at some of the churches we shoot at it is even too far for a 300 to get good shots at times.
So at the end of the season in 2011, we picked up a fuji x10 and after the bride came down I sat in the crow like a guest and shot with my x10. Why? it is quiet, decent to get the shots I needed and then we wouldnt have to stage anything after.
I had 1 priest come up to me after and said he may change his rules because of me. I told me he said no photos during because he ddint want someone running around and disturbing the ceremony. He said he watched me sit in the 4th row and put my professional camera away and use something that made no noise and used no flashes. He was pleased.
So I say sign it, suck it up but find a way to get the shot. Thats our job right
