photographer's cards at dinner???

krazykramer

We just booked my photographer today and I really like him.  However, his custom is during the dinner hour, he requests the maid of honor and best man to hand out his cards to our guests during dinner. On the card, it will be his site where guests can go and order pics of our wedding. I like the idea of our guests being given instructions on how to see pics of our special day.  They can order pics of ones they would like to buy or just look at them. However, my fiance and mom both think it is a little tacky to bother guests during dinner and not fair to ask the maid of honor and best man to do this during their dinner.  How did your photographer handle this?

kmmssg

I have 3 married DDs and I have never ever heard of this.  I would definitely not allow that to happen.  It is tacky and your guests should not be bothered/solicited like that.

LightSourcePhotography

Only if requested, we put a few holders (by the cake, by the reception table etc) with business cards out. We never pass them out except other vendors and we only have them out if our clients ask. Professionally speaking, that really is tacky.

geminagi

I agree with PP. It is tacky. We keep them on our person/camera bags and only hand them out if specifically requested and at the very end of the day to parents if the couple requests. In no circumstance should the BM & MOH be made to advertise for any company on your day. (Plus they aren't even getting paid for it by this photog.). Just doesn't make sense. It is slick, but not good business manners.

m_reagle

Here's what I would do.  I would politely tell him that since the MOH and the Best Man should be eating dinner instead of passing out his cards, you'll put a few cards on each table with a little note about, "If you'd like to view/order pictures of our big day, here is where you should visit..." and have his card attached to the note.  That way, the people who want to, can take one, and the ones who don't, won't feel obligated. 

fallbride1109

Our photographer made up some with one of our E-pics on the front but she just had them out with our guest book table and on the table where our tossing petals were.  I would opt for something like this.

atomicphoto

It is definitely tacky to ask someone to pass them out or even if he wanted to pass them out himself. It borders on advertising at that point, and is in my opinion unprofessional. We always offer up cards vs. an email sign up list, and always tell the couple that it is up to them how they want them displayed/distributed. I would never pester the guests while they are eating. 

GenesisMoss

No Way! My partner and I are photographers in Los Angeles (Timless Wedding Photography) and the MOST we do is place our cards at the reception next to the slideshow so people know how to order prints if they see one they like. Anything else to me is inappropriate. Seriously, tell him that you think it's best to place the cards somewhere where guests can voluntarily grab them. I'm sure he's a great photographer and means well - but he needs to be given guidlines that make YOU feel comfortable.

KarenArnoldMaine

the photographer should NOT do this...very unprofessional...i am a planner from time to time and i have never heard of this. i have only seen them left at the guest sign-in and guests have the option to take them...you can always send an email blast with a link to their work after you get back from the h-moon.

gymbugmj2k

either have a few cards already on the tables or set up a station by the guestbook.
its good information, but NOT okay to bother people during dinner.

slwilliams84

Nope not acceptable at all.  He can place them himself (or his assistant can) on the center of the tables perhaps during dinner for guest to grab.  He can place them on the sign in table, he can place them with the guest gifts as they exit, there is literally 100 things he could do before having the BM & MoH hand them out.  That is just silly!

gidgetscout

Have the photographer either hand them out himself or he can put one at each place setting on the tables. I like the idea with the guesbook though.

khines18

A friend of mine had a few shots of her and H on the photographer's card. The card looked great, not your standard business card. They were on a table beside the photo booth at the wedding. There is NO WAY I would inconvenience my BP by making them hand out cards for a photographer. If he insists, look elsewhere. It is your wedding, not his marketing campaign! That's what Facebook is for.