“Please no outside photography” — WHY?

Anyone who is already an SS&G client knows in reading their contract that we request that there be no outside photography during our set photo times.  We understand that everyone wants to snap a pic of the bride and groom dancing, cutting the cake, etc and we usually even invite people to come do so BUT… there are certain times during the day when we need those cameras to be put away.  This is for many reasons.  I know a lot of people think that it is for us to be able to monopolize the photos and FORCE everyone to buy from us but for the majority of our brides, they purchase the full DVD anyhow so whether uncle bob is taking his own pics or not, really is not affecting my bottom line.  What it IS affecting is YOUR PHOTOS!

We have the ability to control our OWN lights, flash, cameras etc but cameras are only as smart as their operators and the conditions around them.

So WHY do we ask that people are not shooting over our shoulders?  Well here’s why…

1) I do not come with backup sensors.  I cannot tell you how many people I have stepped on an run over backing up because they were right on my heels.  Sometimes its even a child.  While I feel bad and apologize, I have a job to do and most of the time, too little time to do it.  I am not a small lady and being stepped on by me is probably not pleasant.  So protect your children and your toes and stay off my heels!

2) Eyes darting.  Its the rule of multiplicity.  1 bride + 1 grom + 8 family members x 2 eyeballs on each x # of cameras and family yelling “look over here and let me get a picture” = the number of ways eyes can be looking during a single photo.  Trust me its a mess.

3) Ruined photos.  Sometimes perfectly good photos are ruined completely by stray flashes.  You friend or family member is likely only EVER going to stick these pics up on Facebook and call it a day but WE, as your photographers are responsible for capturing, in the most professional and flattering manner, the STORY of your ENTIRE wedding day.  That is a responsibility that we do not take lightly and we will fight to make sure that YOUR wedding images, books, etc look as professional, artistic and beautiful as possible even if that means calling down 2nd cousin “so and so” with the camera.

For those of you who are visual learners… here is a family image created by us, with our lighting, no outside distractions… look how happy and beautifully lit it is. For the sake of being 100% honest this is what photographers call a SOOC image (straight out of camera).  There has been no cropping, editing etc.  So you know you are comparing apples to apples here.

Here is what happens when Uncle Billy Bob decides to help us out… 

Uncle somebody was sitting to my right… notice the flash.  Also, when his flash popped my focus jumped and then it all went out of focus and now has a horrible cast on the photo that is also a bit orange.

Get the point?

Luckily we are smart enough to take a string of images so this family’s image is not ruined but it sure does make it harder (and longer) in editing when I am dodging these kinds of “bullets”.

So… when we ask your family to put their cameras away… please do NOT be offended.  We are simply protecting YOUR best interests!