So most weddings I do nowadays I get to work with my photographer wife, and things go pretty well. But we had separate weddings this weekend and now I remember one of the reasons I really prefer to work with her anymore.

For the ceremony I had a wide-angle camera on a tripod right at the back of the center aisle. The ceremony was at country club, and the place was PACKED with seating, so much so that there weren't any side aisles. The only way back to the camera was down the center aisle.

Now before the ceremony I'm making final adjustments to the wide-angle camera while the photographer was right next to me getting her gear ready. At one point she even asks if I'm using the seat next to my camera, and I say no, so she stores her gear there.

Anyways, the ceremony starts and my wide-angle camera is already running and I'm up front with my assistant running 2 other cameras. As the groom is walking his mother down the aisle I notice that the photog is standing right in front of my wide-angle camera, about a foot in front of it, completely blocking the shot. I spend the next several minutes trying to get her attention without be distracting to the guests (yeah, try and do that from 100 feet away). She's not seeing me and the bride will be coming down the aisle soon.

I don't know what to do. My only options are to leave her blocking my camera or walk right down the center aisle and squeeze past the wedding party as they walk to the front. Both are horrible options. I need the footage from the wide-angle, but it would be extremely distracting to be squeezing past the bridal party as they try to walk down the aisle past me, plus I'm shooting handheld with my unit, so I'd be losing footage from that cam as well.

Finally, one of the ushers near me noticed the issue I was having, and he took it upon himself to walk down the aisle and inform the photog that she was blocking my camera. She had this shocked look on her face, and I sincerely believe that she didn't block the camera on purpose, but jeez. I would think a professional would be a bit more aware than that.

For the rest of the ceremony I was very busy moving around getting creative shots, and I'm really worried that she ended up in front of that camera again. Anyways, I just had to get that off my chest. I try so hard to stay out of the photog's way, and it really pisses me off when they don't return the favor.

She had this shocked look on her face, and I sincerely believe that she didn't block the camera on purpose, but jeez. I would think a professional would be a bit more aware than that.
It's the danger of a locked off, unmanned camera. I can well imagine that to a photographer unmanned=not running, and if she noticed it at all presumably thought it was rigged ready to be manned and used later on. I can only suggest that any unmanned cameras are mounted on very high tripods, high enough to see over anyone standing right in front..........

She had this shocked look on her face, and I sincerely believe that she didn't block the camera on purpose, but jeez. I would think a professional would be a bit more aware than that.I don't know why you titled this thread "unbelievable" Travis, as to me it's perfectly believable. This photographer was in her own world, completely oblivious to anything but her subject and the frame she's looking through. Not hard to believe at all. Unfortunate, but not hard to believe.

Back when I shot weddings, I worked most all of them with photographers I knew, who were as conscious of me working the job as I was of them. Most weddings I shot were photographed by a photographer with whom we shared studio space, so it was a very good relationship.

Anytime I had to work with a photographer I didn't know, I always made it a point to introduce myself straight away and immediately start talking about how we could best work together to provide the customer with the best images possible, which usually meant a clear understanding of how to stay out of each other's way in critical moments.

Here's hoping that you'll soon reach a position where you can turn away any work that doesn't involve your wife as the photographer. Eventually that's what I did... I got to the point where I wouldn't shoot a wedding unless our studio partner was the photographer, or at least someone we knew and had worked with before.

Two thoughts: squirt gun or laser pen.

A squirt gun is probably over the top, but will get the photog to move. The guests might find it entertaining as well! ;o)

A laser pen would catch the attention of the photog, but they might think it rude. Actually, though, in this case you could've lasered your assistants and they would've known what to do. My wife and I are often trying to get each other's attention. Hmm...maybe the laser is a good idea.

Realistically, it's touchy. You want referrals from photogs, so it pays to be courteous. I use a photographer's light pole for my unmanned cam. It stands 12-14 feet off the ground. The only problem I've had it that it can sway back and forth if it's too high, or on a bad floor.

Chris, what led you away from weddings?

After the last wedding I did with a bunch of guests that stood throughout the processional shooting pix with disposable cameras (really...) and the one relative who planted himself right in front in the middle with a 35mm non-SLR cam for the same time... I'm thinking blowgun with tranq darts...

In another thread, I was referred to one that looks much like a monopod, so perhaps a dual purpose device... that laser idea is intriguing though...

Just killed my processional footage, but oh well, I've got tricks in editing, and people are going to be moving REALLY slow!! I always liked that look anyway 8-P It was for friends, they were just glad to have ANY coverage, and I wanted to try out a couple new toys, but I'm putting a "No pictures" clause back in the old contract! Everyone with a disposable/cell phone cam thinks they're Ansel Adams or something nowadays... the joys of modern technology for the masses swing both ways!

Travis - check around for a Sunpak 7500 tripod - the "75" refers to the height in inches - yep, it's over 6 ft, so unless Herman Munster is in the crowd, your wide safety shot is pretty safe. I learned fast that unless your camera can be up high (and not all venues have a balcony or elevated sound booth), don't count on that angle - so I've picked up a couple 6ft+ pods - weigh a bit more, but worth having every time! Not easy to find pods that tall, but they can be found - the Sunpak is easy to find for around $80 (the head is commensurate with that price, but you'll be locked down).

It's the danger of a locked off, unmanned camera. I can well imagine that to a photographer unmanned=not running, and if she noticed it at all presumably thought it was rigged ready to be manned and used later on. I can only suggest that any unmanned cameras are mounted on very high tripods, high enough to see over anyone standing right in front..........

Well, the country club staff had promised to set up a table that I could put my tripod on and have it up high and out of the way. We arrived on location after the photoshoot, and there was no table available and no room to set one up anyways at that point.

I literally only had one place to put that camera to get a shot, and once I left it I couldnt' get back to it until afterwards. There wasn't even enough room to extend the tripod legs out, so I had to go with a low shot down the aisle. As it was the bride STILL caught her dress on one of the legs. It was just a really bad setup for video.

I don't know why you titled this thread "unbelievable" Travis, as to me it's perfectly believable. This photographer was in her own world, completely oblivious to anything but her subject and the frame she's looking through. Not hard to believe at all. Unfortunate, but not hard to believe.

Well, the thing is, the photographer had space available to her right next to the camera. And we discussed the fact that my camera was there while setting up for the ceremony. A professional would make a note in their minds that they can't stand there to get any shots, just like I noted where she and her assistant were so that I wouldn't block their shots. I just feel it's unbelievably unprofessional to do what she did.

Also, after reflecting on this a little more I'm not so sure she didn't just ignore the fact that the camera was there in order to get the shots SHE wanted. The whole "look of surprise" may have just been for the benefit of the usher and the nearby guests. I just find it really hard to believe that someone can spend 10-20 minutes waiting next to a camera and then suddenly forget that it's there. A guest . . maybe . . but a photographer . . hard to believe.

And Chris, I totally agree that it will be nice to reach a point where I only work with photographers I know and trust. Definitely.

I suspect it's more just a case of the photographer being completely oblivious to whether or not she was blocking your camera. As someone else said, her thoughts were on what was happening in front of her and that was it. We can hope that photographers notice our cameras but I wouldn't ever count on it -- once I figured that out I bought an extra-tall Bogen tripod I can use in a pinch. They have several models which are taller than normal: here's one example but it's not the one I got:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5286-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3046_3046_Tripod_Legs_Chrome_.html

We can hope that photographers notice our cameras but I wouldn't ever count on it -- once I figured that out I bought an extra-tall Bogen tripod I can use in a pinch. They have several models which are taller than normal: here's one example but it's not the one I got:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5286-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3046_3046_Tripod_Legs_Chrome_.html

Kevin, I have that same tripod in black. And you're right, it gets up there above everyone's head. I was quite surprised when I got that thing a few years ago along with the XL1 (both used) and extended both leg sections then cranked the center column.

That's really the best way to avoid these situations. Use tall sticks, or find higher ground.

-gb-

I suspect it's more just a case of the photographer being completely oblivious to whether or not she was blocking your camera. As someone else said, her thoughts were on what was happening in front of her and that was it. We can hope that photographers notice our cameras but I wouldn't ever count on it -- once I figured that out I bought an extra-tall Bogen tripod I can use in a pinch. They have several models which are taller than normal: here's one example but it's not the one I got:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5286-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3046_3046_Tripod_Legs_Chrome_.html

I'll check out that tripod, because I've really been wanting to get a tripod that can extend above heads. Thanks for the link.

As for the photographer, I don't think it's any excuse for her to say she was focusing on what was going on in front of her. Like I said before, she had plenty of advance warning as to where my camera was. If I can be courteous regarding her position during the photoshoot, then she can keep in mind where my camera is. It's absolutely no excuse for her to block a camera that she KNEW was there. Very unprofessional.

Though I agree it was unprofessional of the photographer to stand in front of your camera, this issue has been discussed on this forum and Travis participated in that thread.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=62759&highlight=unmanned

The gist of the conversation was that unmanned cameras are fine if put in a good location and if there are already two manned cameras. The issue of how much to pay a second operator was brought up and $20-$40 was deemed insufficient no matter how inexperienced they are. Even if that operator just helped carry gear and kept an eye on your camera it is worth paying them $100.

I mostly disagree with the consensus of that thread as I don't think unmanned cameras are worthwhile. I used an unmanned camera on my first wedding and had this exact problem. The second wedding I used one I put it on my 7' tall tripod and I still did not think it worthwhile as I didn't like the static camera. I felt it only to be useful for a few quick cutaways and an expensive camera is too valuable to be wasted.

I hoped that bringing up my experiences would warn people away from depending on an unmanned camera. I hope that Travis' experience added to mine will really make people think twice of having only two cameras and one of them unmanned. It would be better to use that second camera as a tape deck in your backpack so you can send a firewire to it to duplicate the footage from your main camera.

I just got back from shooting a wedding the other weekend and had the same problem but it wasn't with an un-maned camera. I was standing in the same spot throughout the entire wedding with the photographer standing next to me so she obviously knew I was there and when the minister announced Mr. and Mrs. Smith she walked up and stood right in front of my camera as they turned to the audience. I was furious. I'm glad I had my two other locked off cams to cut to. I don't know if she was just that unprofessional or if it's because when they asked what company I worked for I told them I was just the brother-in-law of the groom. All I know is I didn't have any respect for her the rest of the day.

It's absolutely no excuse for her to block a camera that she KNEW was there. Very unprofessional.

It's not an excuse; it's just the way things are with some photographers - they're simply not thinking about the video cameras. Better to use a taller tripod next time than hope the photographer will be more professional...

Better to use a taller tripod next time than hope the photographer will be more professional...I agree with Kevin wholeheartedly, it's much better that you assure your set-up is idiot proof and safe from this sort of thing than to rely on something you ultimately can't control.

Chris, what led you away from weddings?It was a combination of things that happened to occur pretty much all together... the photographer who shared the studio with us got married and moved away, and I found a lot of new work shooting the Central Texas rave scene which was really booming at the time, so there went my Saturday nights. There was only one occasion where I shot a wedding and went straight from there to shoot a party that went until dawn, if I had been in my 20's then maybe I could have handled that kind of schedule consistently, but once was enough for me.

The rave circuit was imminently more fun and more interesting to me than the wedding market; too bad it couldn't last. By then I wanted my weekends free, although my wife has shot a couple of weddings for friends and has been bitten by the bug a little bit, so the option to get back in the game is something we're still holding open.

On a side note, I've actually done the same thing to photographers so it works both ways. Never on purpose but my fault just the same. One videographer I know has this problem a lot but usually from guests so he just hung a sign on his tripod saying "please don't block the camera" or something like that.

An 8-10 foot lightstand with a modified attachment works pretty well for an unmanned cam. It's a pain to position it but you never have to worry about blocked shoots and it's a lot cheaper than a special tripod (which you most likely won't use that often).

Though I agree it was unprofessional of the photographer to stand in front of your camera, this issue has been discussed on this forum and Travis participated in that thread.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=62759&highlight=unmanned

The gist of the conversation was that unmanned cameras are fine if put in a good location and if there are already two manned cameras. The issue of how much to pay a second operator was brought up and $20-$40 was deemed insufficient no matter how inexperienced they are. Even if that operator just helped carry gear and kept an eye on your camera it is worth paying them $100.

I mostly disagree with the consensus of that thread as I don't think unmanned cameras are worthwhile. I used an unmanned camera on my first wedding and had this exact problem. The second wedding I used one I put it on my 7' tall tripod and I still did not think it worthwhile as I didn't like the static camera. I felt it only to be useful for a few quick cutaways and an expensive camera is too valuable to be wasted.

I hoped that bringing up my experiences would warn people away from depending on an unmanned camera. I hope that Travis' experience added to mine will really make people think twice of having only two cameras and one of them unmanned. It would be better to use that second camera as a tape deck in your backpack so you can send a firewire to it to duplicate the footage from your main camera.

I couldn't disagree more. Having a 3rd camera shoot a nice wide-angle shot throughout the ceremony is a huge benefit, because you always have that angle to go back to if the other two cameras don't have a shot. 99% of the time if makes your life easier.

It's not an excuse; it's just the way things are with some photographers - they're simply not thinking about the video cameras. Better to use a taller tripod next time than hope the photographer will be more professional...

Oh, I agree with that for sure. I just wanted to be clear that it's unprofessional to do what she did.

"I hope that Travis' experience added to mine will really make people think twice of having only two cameras and one of them unmanned."

Note that I did say that the second camera should not be unmanned. There are some interesting ideas for unmanned camera placement in that old thread.

Leaving an unmanned camera behind is allways a risk, you can't expect people, professional or not, to assure all the time they wan't be blocking its view. If you work like that you just have to live with the fact that every now and then it can go wrong.
You can blaim the photographer as much as you want afterwards, only thing that counts is that you lost your important footage and the only way to prevent it is to get an extra camera operator.

Leaving an unmanned camera behind is allways a risk, you can't expect people, professional or not, to assure all the time they wan't be blocking its view. If you work like that you just have to live with the fact that every now and then it can go wrong.
You can blaim the photographer as much as you want afterwards, only thing that counts is that you lost your important footage and the only way to prevent it is to get an extra camera operator.

Of course it's a risk, but I rarely have a problem with placing it somewhere that won't be problematic. However, this was a unique case because I literally had ONE place to put the camera. In the end, we got the photographer out of the way and I will probably have some great shots from that camera, so I'm still happy I had it there.

One of 60 reasons I stopped doing weddings:


Back then I had a brand new XL1s and was doing a small wedding. I had it all setup on the sticks and ready to go the I simply walked across the backyard (huge) to get a drink. By the time I had gotten back, someone took it upon themselves to be the shooter!!! I'm like "excuse me, can I help you with that" the guy says "oh, sorry I thought it was here for anyone to use"..... C'MON!!! A $4K camera (at the time) is just going to sit there for everyone to come take pictures of the wedding! Yeah, just walk over the area I roped off too, that's not there for any reason.

I've had people walk in front of the cam(s) a few times, it's not easy to prevent but it is easy to not take the blame later. "Sorry, your best man Bob didn't see me (a 6'3" with a 6' tripod and 20lb camera) and walked right in front as the best moment of the whole wedding was happening." Darnit Bob!!!

2 reasons not to stop doing weddings; never, ever leave a 4K camera unattended and never use a tripod on a very important moment if you are a solo shooter.
Maybe if you give the other 58 reasons I could help to change your mind about stopping? ;)

2 reasons not to stop doing weddings; never, ever leave a 4K camera unattended and never use a tripod on a very important moment if you are a solo shooter.
Maybe if you give the other 58 reasons I could help to change your mind about stopping? ;)

No doubt, that was the only time I ever left it alone. It wasn't on the sticks when the guy got in the way, I was just making a point about how "hard" it is to miss me.


The rest of the reasons -

3. I hate weddings, ugh.
4. I hate weddings, argh.
5. I have rotten luck with weddings (ie. weather, lighting, drunk idiots breaking things etc)
6. I'm too busy doing the other million and a half things I do that pay way better.
7. I have rotten luck with the ministers or preachers or pastors or priests (they ALWAYS want to get me to come to church, persistently).
8. PUSH Insider Magazine parties are far better to film for. (i'm spoiled now)
9. I like my weekends free, mainly for filming non-paying work, like UWOL :-)
10. Did I mention I hate weddings?


Ok, so I only get like 5 or so good reasons, lol. I just don't do weddings anymore, at any price. I gotta hand it do those of you who do, it takes a special breed. I'm far better at filming half naked models, :-)

Half-naked models . . . hmm . . . are you trying to make my week even more difficult? lol

I'm far better at filming half naked models, :-)

You lucky ***** :D
You are absolutely right, weddingvideographers are a special breed who enjoy suffering. :) There is one reason you mentioned that is by far the most uncontrollable thing and that are drunk idiots who can give you a hard time.

"drunk idiots who can give you a hard time."

Fortunately, I also am larger than the average person in Hawaii and I know to immediately deflect hassles with a comment like, "Elizabeth is paying me a lot of money to be here and I'm just trying to do my job. I know how disappointed she will be if I can't ____." Politely bringing up the bride will put even a 300-pound Samoan dude in the right frame of mind.

It seems like there is a correlation between the physical size of a man and how much he is afraid of his mother or wife. Maybe big boys get scolded more? Also, most people in Hawaii are rather nice and low key. I don't like drunks, but outright hostility is really frowned upon here so they are usually quiet enough.

On the other hand, people here being so laid back means that they are often clueless about events happening around them. That means that they will definitely stand in front of an unmanned camera.

My brother was the one at my wedding, he head butted the camera, then took it and proceeded to insult a couple people while filming. I thought it was funny as heck WAY AFTER the fact. At the time though it was like trying to get an egg from a grumpy bear.

That's what it is. Photogs in front of cameras are a fact of life. but then again are uncle Joe and the bride's brother with his cellphone taking pictures and so on.
Some time ago on another thread discussing the same issue, Chris Hurd expressed is wise opinion to me (saying that my "I'll throw my 100W light at you" attitude was more unprofessional that the photog blocking my view. And he his dead right.
An unmaned camera is always a risk. Even if it is way high, it can be bumped to the ground.
I allways work with the same photogh, and believe me, he his one hell of guy, but I know the back of his head better than anyone else. Simply because at that moment he is simply trying to get the best possible shot, simple as that.
So, what do I do? I lift camera and monopod and station myself next to him.
Its we that have to acomodate, because if its not the photogh, it will be someone else, and remember, a gentle tap on the shoulder does wonders :)

Best regards,
Arnaldo

This is my biggest selling point for multiple camera weddings. When meeting with clients, we talk about vows being from multiple cameras, but we also talk about the ability to avoide problems such as photographers in the shot. I constantly work with unmanned cameras, but not out of sight cameras.

The edit I'm currently working on, the photographer walked back and forth in the front of the church about a half a dozen times, (white walls in the church, photographer dressed in black) I'm trying to work him out of the shot by switching from cam to cam, but I wont' get rid of him completely.

That's what it is. Photogs in front of cameras are a fact of life. but then again are uncle Joe and the bride's brother with his cellphone taking pictures and so on.
Some time ago on another thread discussing the same issue, Chris Hurd expressed is wise opinion to me (saying that my "I'll throw my 100W light at you" attitude was more unprofessional that the photog blocking my view. And he his dead right.
An unmaned camera is always a risk. Even if it is way high, it can be bumped to the ground.
I allways work with the same photogh, and believe me, he his one hell of guy, but I know the back of his head better than anyone else. Simply because at that moment he is simply trying to get the best possible shot, simple as that.
So, what do I do? I lift camera and monopod and station myself next to him.
Its we that have to acomodate, because if its not the photogh, it will be someone else, and remember, a gentle tap on the shoulder does wonders :)

Best regards,
Arnaldo

You must not have read my original post very carefully. The camera was unmanned and I was nowhere near it. Kind of hard to give a "gentle tap on the shoulder" from 100 feet away.

Also, the point of my thread was that it was unprofessional of the photographer to stand right in front of a camera when we had previously discussed it's placement. I'm not bothered by a photographer who walks around up front or who has to pass in front of my camera sometimes. I have a problem when I've discussed the camera placement with the photographer and then the photographer ignores this discussion and stands in front of the camera, completely blocking the shot.

Saying that "photog's in front of the camera is a fact of life" is the wrong attitude to have in my opinion. As professionals, it shouldn't be that hard to work together so that both of us get the shots we need.

Okay I had to dig this post up again. I just got back from shooting a wedding and had to work with the most unprofessional photographer I've ever seen. Besides her long speech at the rehearsal telling the entire wedding party that she didn't want anyone else (as in guests) taking pictures during the wedding, she was trying to tell me where I should be filming from. Throughout the entire ceremony she kept coming up to the balcony I was filming from and talking to her assistant right next to my camera. Well there goes that audio. To make things worse during the reception every time there was a speech or anything else I was shooting she would come stand right in front of the camera. I was standing off to the side and back a little ways so I wouldn't be in other peoples way that were trying to see the speeches or dances but she even had the nerve to come look at my screen, saw I was filming and had a good shot and then walked up about five feet and stood in front of my camera. I was so furious by the end of the night. One time I gave her a very dirty look and she just smiled and walked away. I did tell the groom at the end of the night that I'd try to edit what I could but she was in front of the camera most of the time. It didn't sound like the B&G were any to happy with her either. Okay I guess that's enough I just needed to vent.

Just my two cents, but about the only recourse you or anyone of us have, is a law suit. Then maybe that person will think twice about interfering in someone elses work. I've worked with this type of person before, they have a god complex.

Frankly in a case like this, I think litigation is far more trouble than it's worth. Not to mention the expense involved... in my opinion your best course of action is to chalk it up to experience and never shoot a wedding with that particular photographer again. When I shot weddings, the second question I always asked the prospective customer (after determining when and where the wedding would be), was "who is the photographer." I had a very short list of photographers (two or three) that I refused to work with based on similar past experiences. If the couple hadn't yet signed a photographer by the time they got to me (very rare), then I'd point them to our photographer or one from a list of photographers we knew we worked well with.

A smooth, healthy relationship between photographer and videographer is mission-critical for providing a good package to the customer.

In Belgium you just have to deal with it, never heared about law suites for these reasons. I allways look at the photographer and give him/her the room needed, if I see I end up in their shot I quickly move away if possible, that allways has resulted in the photog making room for me afterwards.
One time I had a photog driving so fast to a fotoshoot (The couple was with him) and because I didn't know exaclty were he went (It was somewere close to a lake so no real street name I could enter in my gps) and when I lost him at a traffic light I just went to the the place were they had the reception. I allready warned the couple then, and still do now, that if the photog doesn't wait for me I won't start seaching and go directly to the reception.

Frankly in a case like this, I think litigation is far more trouble than it's worth.

I agree that a lawsuit probably wouldn't be the best course of action for me. However, I also don't have the luxury (yet!) of turning down weddings because of the photographer that the couple picked. It's pretty hard to book videography in my market, and I have bills to pay, so I can't turn down a job unless it's for a much better reason.

I'd agree. I can't really afford a lawsuit either but if I could I know I'd be taking this photographer to court. I just can't believe that some people are that rude. And yes she did have a God complex. If I didn't mind interrupting the reception I would have chewed her out right there but than again that would have made me look bad too.

Man, I can't believe what I'm hearing. Take them to court? What do you do when a guest blocks your shot?

I quit complaining about people getting in the way and just got another camera. :)

It's the nature of the business - somebody's going to get in the way. But why you would keep letting the same person do it over and over again is beyond me.

Kev -
Sounds like she knew she was messing with you - I'd explain that to the B&G, and let them address the issue. It's a darn shame that some people forget whose DAY this is and make it about themselves - anyone deliberately making themselves the most important thing should get 5 minutes in a locked room with the bride and a bat... perhas a gentle reminder about professionalism and why she was there would have been effective?

It amazes me how someone will practically walk right into your cam, pop offscreen and pop back on just to say "sorry" as if they really wanted to make sure their stupidity recorded for posterity was somehow offset by their "manners". Speaking of which, you might make a short reel of your special photog to show to the B&G (or there's youtoob <wink>). Maybe a bit of public "exposure" of the special talents involved will be helpful to others <wink>.

Just for your future reference, this is why most of my rigging can be set to shoot over Herman Munster... tall tripods, etc... prepare for the inevitable! Taller tripods and Monopods are heavier, but when you need an extra foot extension, it's worth it. If you can get to 6 ft, it'll cover most situations, but the tall pods are harder to find. I just added a Giottos P-Pod myself (tall 5 section monopod with screw in legs hidden in the bottom section) - so far it seems like a nice piece, I wish the extension locks were lever not twist, but I'm sure it will come in handy on some shoots!

I was standing off to the side and back a little ways so I wouldn't be in other peoples way that were trying to see the speeches or dances but she even had the nerve to come look at my screen, saw I was filming and had a good shot and then walked up about five feet and stood in front of my camera. I was so furious by the end of the night.

You gave her a dirty look? What about your responsibility to the client? From what I can find in your post you stayed where you were while the photog got in your way. In these cases, the client comes first, you pick up that tripod and move it to be next to her so she can't get in front of your camera or you dismount the camera and go handheld so that if she moves to block you you can react quickly and smoothly.

We are the professionals and as professionals we need to get our job done properly and not allow these photogs to destroy our work. After all if you are standing in front of Judge Judy (bad example I know, she's not a real judge) or any real judge for that matter being sued for not doing your job properly... A judge is not going to accept as an excuse "The photog was in my way", their response will be: "Why didn't you move?".

To allow a photog to do this to you is not to do you job. I can easily say I'm sorry I blocked your view to a guest, I can't easily say to a bride "well your photog ruined the video".

I had a photog one time mess with my assitant; unknown to me he walked up and locked my assistants tripod legs with his own. Something easy to undo really but my assistant had never encounted this, and I was locked to where I was on the altar. So he quietly allowed this photog to block his shot, as the photog's tripod sat there and the photog walked around hand held. I was livid when I found out he had missed some of his shots but since we had never discussed such an incident and what to do I only had myself to blame. A month later we worked with the same photog, I took the back of the church position and the photog had something new coming. He locked the tripod legs, I just collapsed mine and moved 2 feet right (10 foot wide aisle, no reason to lock legs). He moved to relock the legs, I shifted to a position on the side of the tripod blocking him. He gave me a dirty look, gave up and took the camera handheld and then moved to block my shot. I dismounted and in seconds was standing right next to him on the aisle. We stayed in lockstep for 5 minutes till he finally gave up and moved to another location in the church.

At the reception I gave him one chance, as soon as he moved to block one of the cameras, he suddenly not only had 1 person on his side, but two. My assistant and I treated him like the meat on a sandwich taking up positions on either side of him and staying in lockstep the entire time. Finally after the first dances he looked at me called me a name and said he'd leave us alone for the rest of the time.

You don't have to interfere with their work but you do have to get yours done properly. Don't let them push you around and get your shot!

Judge Judy (bad example I know, she's not a real judge) Well actually, Judith Sheindlin (http://www.judgejudy.com/Bios/allaboutjudy.asp) has in fact been a real judge for over 25 years. Not to mention also one of the most successful female television personalities of all time. Whether you like Judge Judy or not, you have to acknowledge and appreciate her success (and no I am not a fan of the show, but I certainly recognize her for her accomplishments). Sorry for the off-topic tangent...

Man, I can't believe what I'm hearing. Take them to court? What do you do when a guest blocks your shot?

I quit complaining about people getting in the way and just got another camera. :)

It's the nature of the business - somebody's going to get in the way. But why you would keep letting the same person do it over and over again is beyond me.

Rick, I wasn't advising it, I was just saying that for his particular situation, and at the point of his post, that's about all he had. But like you, I won't put up with it, I will address it at the moment. I was trying to encourage the guy, not advise him to do anything.

I feel the pain. Here is one of my previous post's.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=99289&highlight=typical+photog

Rick, I wasn't advising it, I was just saying that for his particular situation, and at the point of his post, that's about all he had.And like you, I would hope folks just speak up. There are courteous ways to do it and that's usually all it takes. I can certainly say I've gotten in their way more than once.

I also know there are prima donna photographers out there that won't accomodate us... all the more reason for another cam angle.

At the last wedding I shot, the photog decided to stand directly in my line when the best man was giving the speech at the reception. The funny (?) thing is, he turned around and looked right at me and continued to stand there taking pictures. I was there first! Geeze, I sound like my four-year-old son...

Anyway, the reception hall was packed, and I have some very amateur looking footage from the camera while I moved it to a new location.

Anyway, the reception hall was packed, and I have some very amateur looking footage from the camera while I moved it to a new location.

that is frustrating. just explain it to the bride and groom and they should understand. nothing you can really do about. can't reshoot it.

that is frustrating. just explain it to the bride and groom and they should understand.Heck, no explaining necessary... it's on tape for all the world to see. :)

Plus, the idiot turned around and knew he was in the way. I love it when they shoot themselves in the foot. :)

I feel the pain. I've come across many photographers who just don't give a damn. My first wedding I ever shot professionally had the rear camera completely blocked by the 250lb photographer who stood there even after I first approached him (he had moved my camera so he could stand in the spot).

I've also encountered my last wedding (a party of 60 people) and the photographer had herself and two assistants (the video looks like a disco with all the flashing; even the B&G had enough by the end of the reception).

I shot another wedding where a friend of the Bride not only stood in front of me during the ceremony (yes I tried repositioning several times), but he actually stood on the alter with his $200 camera (the priest had warned me that if I even came close to the alter he would stop the ceremony and make me leave). The funny thing is I did my best to fix this in post (I had three camera's running; two manned) and I tried to creatively 'cut' out the friend. When I watched the video with the B&G she became furious with her friend for doing what he did (unfortunately it was obvious in the video; he seemed to pop up in every shot) and she called him up to b*tch him out. She knew it wasn't my fault and she thought the video was outstanding.

At the end of the day it's really about how well we can do our job (despite numerous headaches).

Todd

so the option to get back in the game is something we're still holding open.

Hey Chris, I'll keep you in mind when if I need a third operator, although you'll have to supply your own gear and buy lunch for the crew. Thanks for sharing that story, I found it interesting. I'm not sure about the rave scene, but our goal is to branch out, I'd like to get into the local band scene, since I learned audio PA systems from a young child. Anyway, thanks for sharing Chris.

Thanks for the offer, Steve, much appreciated. Shall I assume that I'm on my own for travel expenses to and from Virginia? Whatever it takes, because I could really use the experience!

;-)