Lens Flare with a Rainbow Effect

Um...is that fire getting a little...um...

Who says you always need flash?

But I’m sad to say, that’s not how some photographers operate. And because of it, many churches have clamped down with very strict rules.

We’re fine with it. We’re trained to shoot under all kinds of conditions, even ones which change from minute to minute. But it always helps US when we know what the church rules are beforehand so we can discuss them with our couple.

We’ve discovered that oftentimes, the couple has NOT been informed before they’ve booked the church that they might not have but three or four images from the entire ceremony, or that the photographers are not allowed to go beyond the very back of the church and that every shot will be a wide shot.

By staying close to the organist, I can blend in and not be heard!

A few weeks ago, in a church we’ve shot in many times before, we were stopped by the church coordinator from going up a side aisle to get closer. She had been told that it was against the Diocese rules that photographers move during the ceremony, which was frightfully incorrect. And even more recently, I was told I could only take six shots total, from the vestibule, shooting through the glass!

Please make sure you know the church’s rules for photography and videography before you book your church. Share them as soon as possible with your team and discuss how those rules may affect them and the art they produce. You may have one long shot of the whole ceremony from one video camera, or in the case of my couple, only five photos from the vestibule.

If you’ve already booked the church and discover the rules are not what you had hoped, here are ways to help:

1. Discuss the rules with the the person who is actually officiating. If it means going over the head of the church coordinator, so be it.  But know that what he says, goes.  Period.  He may agree with you, or he may have valid reasons why photography will be limited.
2. Ask your photographer to talk with the church personnel in charge and discuss their method of shooting. MOST church rules have been put in place because of disrespectful or semi-pros who don’t have enough experience to realize they’re being disrespectful.  But if your photographer can show that that’s not how she operates, they may relax a bit.  I’ve gone as far as to send them a signed agreement I’ve created that states our mission – we won’t use flash, we’re respectful, we don’t click the shutter during silent moments.  By relieving the coordinator’s fear, you may find your photographer will be granted more access than others.  Luckily for me, I’ve had many a rule relaxed when they realized how respectful we were!

Getting close during a Persian wedding ceremony

If you’re thinking, “oh, this doesn’t apply to us, it’s our church” or “we hired the officiate and it’s an outdoor ceremony” – you still want to ask!  I once had an officiate in a outdoor, non-religious ceremony attempt to limit where and when I could shoot ten minutes beforehand.  And my favorite – a Greek orthodox priest who dodged every “where can our photographer be” question from the bride and groom by saying, “I’ll let them know” – and then told us we could not leave the back of the church AS THE PROCESSION STARTED.

Remember, it’s your ceremony.  If no photography is allowed or strictly limited, please know that going in and if you’re okay with it, so are we.

Holding up her bride's dress during crowning at a Russian Orthodox ceremony

Peanut joins the engagement session

Jody & Brandon came up to visit with the adorable, fluffy Peanut in tow. I like babies, I like cake, I like spring days and long walks in the rain…but if you really want to make my day, put a dog in front of me.

Peanut was amazing! Wasn’t afraid of the big lens, jumped right up and said hi. She then proceeded to herd the geese. Yes, all fifty or so of them, almost bigger than she was. An explosive burst of energy, a glimpse of fur and off she went. Granted, it did take ten minutes and an SUV to wrangle her back, but impressive? Oh yes!

Even more impressive was Jody & Brandon themselves. I did a tiny bit of coaching, then just stood the heck back and captured what I saw. I love that within five minutes, it was as if the camera wasn’t there!

Here are a few from the session. Enjoy!

Please take a looksie!  You might find your DJ or lighting services for your wedding while you’re there, too.  ::grin::

Yes, indeed, they shut down a whole city block.  The view was to die for, the reason was so romantic, and come rain or shine, that’s where the vows were to be had!

The editor approached me and asked if they could get five images from the ceremony to choose from and feature, and the one they chose was one of my favorites.  It’s right after Justin stomps the glass, the crowd yells Mazel tov and he plants a big kiss on Jenna.  My 2nd shooter for the day, friend and PPA certified photographer Jeanne dePolo, was on the ladder for that shot while I was down in the aisle for the “traditional” view – and hers was the one they chose!

Jenna Marries Justin in a Potrero Hill Crosswalk

Why do I have a 2nd photographer?  For exactly that reason! My 2nd photographer IS my second pair of eyes and gives me the necessary “two places at once” that my style of wedding photography demands.  I’m a documentarian, a storyteller, and an artist all at once – and a little bit anal wanting to capture every-single-moment.  My 2nd photographers are or have been lead photographers for weddings for at least three seasons and I trust them enough to put my name and reputation on every shot they take.  My 2nd photographer is there in case anything happens to me (accident, illness) so that I know my bride and groom are covered no matter what.  My 2nd photographer is VITAL.

And in this case, my 2nd photographer got her shot in the Sunday Chronicle.  Hee!

More from that wedding when we’re done!

Beaming Christy on her way to the church...

Last year, three couples who signed with us bucked tradition. They picked us even before they had a venue! Can I tell you how brilliant this is? Here’s why – we are natural observers. Think about how many weddings we’ve experienced. Kelvin’s been a shooter since 1989 so I don’t think there’s a single place you could get married that he hasn’t shot at. We know which places are gorgeous to look at, gorgeous to be at and gorgeous to shoot. We also know which ones don’t photograph as well as you’d think, or which ones make you stand in the sun at a funny angle, or which ones have a staff that could possibly ruin the entire day for everyone.
Here’s my point. Start meeting with photographers before you even pick your date. If any of them have a “pencil me in” policy, hire them and make the most out of that retainer. Pick their brain. Don’t ask them where’s the best place to get married, ask them where THEY would get married if they were doing it next May and every venue was available? Find out which month they’d recommend for a vineyard, and which time of day looks best at that old mansion on the peninsula. Yeah, you could do the same with a wedding planner, but a planner doesn’t see it through the camera lens, or on the screen while the album’s being designed.

Smokin' Hot Couple at Casa Real

Where would I recommend? That’s like asking me what flavor of ice cream is my favorite. Depends on the weather, where I’m at, who I’m with, and what mood I’m in. For a wedding venue, depends on what your “wedding adjective” is (you’ll need to meet with me to understand what that is), where your families are, what time of year you’re looking at, if it’s day/evening/night wedding, and what kind of people you are (nature lovers, wine lovers, art lovers…).
Now if I can only get all the wedding magazines on board with this idea….