did I ever mention how much I despise photographers at weddings?
at my most recent wedding, the photographer asked if it was ok to stand right by me (the organ is in the center of the choir loft-an ideal place to take pictures from.) and I said ok if she didnt flash (a parish policy which the bride was supposed to have told her.) she seemed surprised, took one picture without flash, didnt seem pleased with it, then flashed away... *flash* *flash* click *flash* ugh so obnoxious to ANYone trying to enjoy the ceremony. Not only did she scoot as close to me as possible (definitely inside my personal space bubble on the organ bench,) but then by leaning over she accidentally bumped down some paper that I had sitting on the loft railing! (oops... good thing it just landed on the co-photographer below...) in the middle of the wedding!
I also just don't understand the amount of money that people find necessary to spend on a photographer at their wedding. like, what, are you really going to forget that you got married? And after the first year of marriage, who EVER actually pulls out their book of wedding photos? Can't you just get some friend with a steady hand and a decent camera to take a bunch of pictures? (Better yet, the friend will *know* all of the important relatives/friends whose pictures ought to be taken!)
Once I had agreed to play for a friends wedding (on piano) for my standard fee, (and I understand, piano players are a dime a dozen...but still, I charge the same for my time doesn't matter what instrument!) then she later apologetically told me that she had had a misunderstanding with her fiance about the bugdet and couldnt afford me. Well, fine, I totally understand...
HOWEVER... let me guess that they were spending a couple thousand dollars on a photographer! Which is really more lasting? The photos which only a few people will see, then they will be shoved in a closet for the next 50 years? (really, when we look at old photographs, of, say, our grandparents weddings, who really cares about anything except the picture of the bride and groom?!) Or is the music more lasting, that *every*one will hear and enjoy or not!
(don't misread me, in this particular situation, they did get a very fine but not professional piano player who did an excellent job, and so I am glad they saved money and certainly do not hold it against them, I am just pointing out the irony, that I suspect is regularly repeated at weddings.)
Also, I think that photographers are the absolute worst culprit of dis-respect at Mass, as in they have NO idea of what is sacred. Guess what? You don't need to snap 20 million pictures of the priest reading the Gospel! He's just STANDING THERE! Let us enjoy the moment!
2 comments:
did I ever mention how much I despise photographers at weddings?
Actually, yes: http://marajoy.blogspot.com/2007/06/story-for-catholics-so-i-just-played.html
I haven't had any real obnoxious ones (one of the benefits of not having ever worked in your city), but I say give 'em a break. They're trying to do their job, which does entail some awkward positioning and fast timing. Sure some of them don't know how to behave, but these days it's also likely they weren't brought up in a church where reverence is a value (or in a church at all!) And don't act like you're free of irreverence if you're anything like me - I presume we all run around like chickens with our heads cut off during the canon when we can't find the music for the communion chant...
I would have told the photographer to do his/her job without invading the organ bench, and reminded him/her of the flash agreement. Then again all the weddings I've had have been very pain-free.
We had one about a year ago that laid down in the middle of the aisle as the bride was walking up and then used his legs to scoot himself back several times, snapping pictures up at the bride, before rolling out of the way of her and her father's walking feet. He also laid down in front of the ambo to get pictures of the Pastor as he delivered the homily.
It was super classy and tasteful... and kinda like James Bond.
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