Wedding photographer needed

[pensterino]

We’re trying to find a photographer. We thought we had one but we couldn’t accept their terms and conditions, and they weren’t willing to budge. We know what we want - and, more to the point, what we absolutely don’t want! - so does anyone know of a photographer who’ll travel to Gloucester, do the (simple) photos we want, allow us sufficient copyright privileges to share the images with our friends and family, and not stick any of them onto public websites of any kind without our express agreement? We don’t expect to take up more than three hours of their time.

There are Photographers who will do this. My DH gives you a USB of edited photos and you pay a set price for the day, or half day if he's had a cancellation.

He always asks if you give permission to share photos, that should be a given with any Professional Photographer.

He works with other Photographers who all work like this.

Could the issue be your budget? With Wedding Photography it really usually is a case of you get what you pay for.

I don't know what the problem is. I was quite willing to pay extra for the copyright and said so. I also said that if there was an image or images that they wanted to publish, then ask, I just wasn't going to give carte blanche for any and all images to be published anywhere - especially as some will be of our guests who haven't given any permission at all. Aren't there GDPR issues?

They said it was a standard contract and that was that. They also said that they were in charge of the poses - but I don't want to be photographed doing something stupid, and I'm pretty sure my guests won't want it either!

All seems very odd. The images that Photographers share are usually just the Bride and Groom, maybe with their children if they've given permission for this.

It also seems odd that they are saying that they are in charge of the Pose. Have you looked for one that does a reportage style?

I'm mistaken. DH always retains his copyright but will give you a usb of your photos and to share your images as you wish but, he always retains ownership of the images.

So essentially he won't charge you to produce a wedding album or copies for your friends or family but ultimately the image rights are owned by him.

He still won't share on SM then without permission though.

Hey, wedding photographer here. What you're asking for is quite normal but it's possibly not being communicated well on either side.

Personally, I provide every couple I work with with an unlimited license to print and share their photos. However, I ultimately retain copyright. If I was to hand over the copyright for 3 hours worth of coverage we'd be talking upwards of £3000. I'd consider it in certain circumstances, but usually couples just mean they want to share their photos.

Did you go to them with a long list of posed line up photos of your guests? If so they may just not want to do it. Or did you have specific poses in mind for your couple portraits? Most photographers I know will have a certain style, and take the couples ideas into account but also bring their own ideas to the table when working out the best way to pose you. We put a lot of thought into this, and it's an art form. A good photographer will try to capture something of the two of you together, rather than just take snaps.

It's a really busy year for every wedding supplier, as we're essentially fitting 2 seasons into 1. I'm not making excuses for any poor communication on their part, but personally I know that if I had an enquiry asking for 3 hours plus copyright and specific poses I would be extremely wary, especially as I'm stressed and knackered right now.

We just wanted something simple and pretty old-fashioned: guests arriving in their family groups; groom and best man; bride and bridesmaids; couple of shots of the ceremony if the priest allows; formal groups after the wedding; a few shots taken from a high point of everyone looking up at the camera so we can see all the faces. Not very modern, I know.

And we just wanted to be able to share the pictures with family and friends without signing away our privacy.

"And we just wanted to be able to share the pictures with family and friends without signing away our privacy."

You aren't signing away privacy. You don't need the copyright to share the images with your friends and family, at all. The reason photographers retain copyright is so that people don't use the images to advertise. When venues and other suppliers find them they often think they can use willy nilly, but that's not the case. You will definitely be able to find a photographer who can provide what you're after.