What should the Photographer wear ?

1209Hadrian

Suits are usually too hot.
Jeans are only appropriate for 'layed back' weddings.
Should they blend in ? Or look different than anyone else ?

AdeleDazeem

Whatever the photographer wants to wear.

Why are you worrying about this? 

I cared not one iota what my photographer wore - I just cared that they showed up.

KlassyWithaK

I think its common sense. If you'd wear it to a friend's wedding its appropriate.

And its a guy/girl hanging out with you all day with a camera. I think they're pretty noticable in either way.

JoanE2012

Our photographer wll be in black pants and a black shirt.....he said that's his standard outfit.  I'm sure yours has something similar.  Has he asked you what to wear????  If not, why do you care?  It's not like he's taking pictures of himself in your professional photos.

achiduck

You don't tell your vendors what to wear. They are professionals and know how to dress themselves. The photographer will wear what ever is comfortable for them to get a wide variety of angles.

Summer2011Bride

You don't dictate what your photographer wears. Most of our vendors told us upfront (and for some it was in their contract) how they would dress. Like our DJ assured us he wears a tux for all weddings he DJs. It was in our limo contract that the driver wore a suit or tux.

Our photog told us he and his wife (second photographer) try to dress in all black to be as inconspicuous as possible. It was almost 100º on our wedding day and he wore black pants and a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. She wore a black dress. I would not worry about this at all.

annieoldfield

Why does it matter, theyre not going to be in the pictures..

Giaspo

Our photographer and videographer both wore all black. I could see it making a difference if you are having a formal affair and don't want them arriving in jeans, tee shirt and baseball hat (which happened to a bride on my local board). But PPs are right; I don't think you can dictate what he wears, but I do think you can inquire. And in the end it won't matter. GL.

Avion22

I'm pretty sure our photographer wore a black cotton (like t-shirt) dress and black chucks.  She has a cute and funky sense of style, and it worked for her.   I really didn't care -- she is a professional and has done tons of weddings and knows how to dress for one.

If your photographer has ASKED you what he/she should wear, then I would ask them what they USUALLY wear to shoot weddings.  I would think that nice pants (black/dark or khakis) or skirt with a black or white shirt/top would be fine, or a really comfy dress if it's a woman.  I couldn't imagine a photographer wearing jeans to shoot a wedding.

calliopeia2013

...I disagree.  I think you can absolutely dictate what your vendors wear, within reason.  They're people you've contracted with to perform a service, and part of that service involves their attire.  Vendors don't want their clients being unpleasantly surprised by their attire in some way, because they don't want lower tips or negative reviews.  Clients don't want to BE unpleasantly surprised by a vendor's attire, for obvious reasons. 

When I worked as a vendor (did side gigs as a wedding musician throughout high school and college), my clients frequently dictated what I wore.  They'd usually ask what I would typically wear to weddings, I would give them a couple of options, and they'd pick what they wanted.  I asked the same question of all of my vendors (i.e. what they usually wear to weddings) and they gave me a couple of options (e.g. my DJ will wear either a women's tux or a black cocktail dress depending on preference) and I picked the ones I wanted.

Assuming I were having a more formal event, I would ask a male photographer to wear slacks and a dress shirt, and a female photographer to wear a dress.  Just because they're not in pictures doesn't mean that they shouldn't be attired appropriately for the formality of the event.

HobokensFury

Adults can dress themselves.  Photographers are professionals and will present themselves as such.  My 2 photographers and videographer wore all black.

NOLAbridealmost

I have no idea what my photographer wore. 

Eliz77

I had 3 vendors and all three asked me what the attire was. I said "business casual" and beyond that, really didn't even give it a  thought. I know our photographer wore nice black pants, and a black collared shirt becuase we have pictures of him in the photobooth!

mamabear329

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_what-should-the-photographer-wear?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:28d64954-8783-4088-ace9-100fc21ebc62Post:b3eda740-f0cc-496d-8ac8-651c4a6e2fda">What should the Photographer wear ?</a>:
[QUOTE]Suits are usually too hot. Jeans are only appropriate for 'layed back' weddings. Should they blend in ? Or look different than anyone else ?
Posted by 1209Hadrian[/QUOTE]

Is this a professional you are hiring? If so, they should have done this enough to know what is appropriate, you shouldn't tell them what to wear.. Make sure they know how formal/casual your wedding is going to be and let them do the rest.

If it's a friend or family memeber <strong>who has asked you what you want them to wear</strong>, then this is really the only time you should concern yourself with it. Again, make sure your friend knows the attire of the wedding and maybe give your opinion on a couple of outfit choices.

Ultimately, people generally have enough common sense to dress appropriately without outside input....unless they request it.

meganb1977

My photographer stated upfront in the FAQ's on her web site that she wears jeans for engagement sessions and other portraits but black or white shirt and black slacks for weddings.  Perhaps yours puts something like this on their web site or in the contract?

em105

I think all-black is very common and most try to dress to be fairly inconspicuous.  I know our photog will be wearing something most likely all black with comfortable shoes.

She's mentioned that she likes to blend in and not stand out so she tries to wear something that matches the formality of the event to some degree- ie no tees (it won't let me say s-h-i-r-t-s for some reason btw) if it's a formal affair.  That all being said, her main priority is to get good pictures (it won't let me say (s-h-o-t-s either), stay out of the way and not distract people from having fun.

Maggie0829

They are professionals and as professionals know how to properly dress for a wedding. 

This is not your concern or something you should worry about.

mrsweeber

Just a thought for the ones that suggested a dress.....a good photographer isn't just standing taking photos behind a tri-pod. They can be on the ground, getting off and on a ladder, etc. Generally, not a dress type thing if you have a female photographer. Most, in fact their professional society dictates this, will wear all black. Generally pants and some type of comfortable shoes as they're on their feet most of the day.

Peledreamsofrain

Wow, that's a whoooole lot of extra stress to put on top of everything else you have to worry about. 

Your photographer isn't being paid to be a member of your wedding, but rather to take pictures of the members of your wedding.  Unless they've asked you for advice on how to dress or unless your venue has a strict dress code, it would be incredibly rude. 

If you suspect that your photographer is going to show up in a clown suit or something, then you need to do a little more research, and find one that's specific to weddings.  Remember, their livelyhood depends on getting clients.  If word of mouth spread that they were sloppy and showed up in a powder blue suit, nobody would book them.