Groomsman/Photographer

Re: Groomsman/Photographer

• itzMS member

  

  August 2013

  NicolaSam said:

  Hi all!

  
  

  My fiancé's very good friend also happens to be an amazing photographer. He does not do it professionally, and doesn't work with any assistants. He is more than willing to photograph our wedding for free (YAY!), which is especially awesome because we are working with a very small budget and couldn't afford even a mediocre professional. He has done a few of our friends' weddings and the pictures have been beautiful.

  
  

  Anyway, this friend is someone that my fiancé really wants as a groomsman. My fiancé is okay with him not standing with him during the ceremony, but I was wondering if any of you ladies had any genius ideas for how we could still incorporate him as a part of the wedding party...? We have a mutual friend who will be able to get some good shots of the photographer with the guys, but this mutual friend just can't be trusted to photograph the ceremony, as he has no wedding experience and minimal photography experience.

  
  

  Maybe the photographer just wears the groomsmen attire and we thank him especially in a speech? Invite him to rehearsal dinner, give him the same gift. 

  
  

  I'm guessing there isn't really a good solution to this dilemma, but any ideas are appreciated. 

  
  

  
  

  No, there's not really a good solution if it's important to you to have him walk with the bridal party and be in lots of pictures. He probably wouldn't be comfortable with someone handling his expensive camera, either.

  Asking him to "work" your wedding as a photographer in groomsmen attire isn't feasible either...he should be free to wear what he's comfortable in, since he will be working the day.

  Ulitimately, this is your FI's decision. Maybe he and his friend can go out and talk about if over a couple of beers.
  

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• NicolaSam member

  

  August 2013

  Yeah, they talked about it already. Friend is really excited about either option. I saw them after they talked about it and tried to gage which option he preferred, but I really couldn't get anything from him but excitement either way. So at least that part's taken care of!

  
  

  I don't think I am expecting any kind of solution. I just am stressed out about everything at the moment and I really wish I could just clone this dude so he could do two things at once!  

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• mrsbizzz member

  

  August 2013

  I personally think you shouldn't ever hire a friend as a major wedding vendor, no matter how good they are. There is also something to be said for a photog who works with an assistant. You never think of how many photos need to be taken when the bride and groom are separated.

  I was in a similar situation when I started plannng and I ultimately realized that, despite a limited budget, pictures are all you have left after the day is over and you only get one shot to capture certain moments. Professional wedding photographers know how to capture these moments and capture them beautifully. IMO, it's worth the extra money to hire a professional.

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• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  August 2013

  NicolaSam said:

  Yeah, they talked about it already. Friend is really excited about either option. I saw them after they talked about it and tried to gage which option he preferred, but I really couldn't get anything from him but excitement either way. So at least that part's taken care of!

  
  

  I don't think I am expecting any kind of solution. I just am stressed out about everything at the moment and I really wish I could just clone this dude so he could do two things at once!  

  Personally, I'd have him photograph the ceremony if he doesn't care either way. Does he have a tripod? That might be helpful for group pictures where you want him in the photos.

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• Jen4948 member

  

  August 2013

  I think he needs to be either a groomsman or the photographer, but he can't be both.
  
  If he's the groomsman, he really can't also function as a photographer except in a very informal, unofficial capacity.  He can take some pictures on the fly, but he shouldn't be expected to take "the" pictures.
  

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• MayDay513 member

  

  August 2013

  I think you need to just honor him with the role that seems best. It sounds like he volunteered to do photos. Let him do that.
  
  I was in a wedding where the Bride had her friend be the DOC, 3 days before the wedding one of the bridesmaids flew out of the country because her grandma was dying. The bride then made the DOC a bridesmaid. Let's just say all the DOC responsibilities went down the drain, the girl pretty much couldn't do it all.  It's hard to do both things at once. If photos are so important that you wouldn't trust someone else to do just do the ceremony then I would say let him photograph.
  

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• NicolaSam member

  

  August 2013

  Thanks for all your responses! I agree, doing both jobs will not work out so well. Since we aren't worried about reception pictures (we'll have some friends with nice cameras informally take the first dance, cake cutting, etc)  and I'm only really concerned with ceremony pictures, I think having him photograph will work out just fine. 

  
  

  @southernbelle, he does have a tripod! I forgot that he mentioned bringing it already! That would allow for him to be in at least a couple of the staged photos.

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• itzMS member

  

  August 2013

  NicolaSam said:

  Thanks for all your responses! I agree, doing both jobs will not work out so well. Since we aren't worried about reception pictures (we'll have some friends with nice cameras informally take the first dance, cake cutting, etc)  and I'm only really concerned with ceremony pictures, I think having him photograph will work out just fine. 

  
  

  southernbelle, he does have a tripod! I forgot that he mentioned bringing it already! That would allow for him to be in at least a couple of the staged photos.

  
  @nicolasam I encourage you to really, REALLY think about the bolded.

  Relying on "friends" with "nice cameras" is not a solution. You'll probably end up with very few nice photos, if any. Lighting in reception venues can be poor, and this is not something the average shutterbug is prepared for.

  You want your friends to enjoy your wedding as guests, not have to worry about catching moments throughout the reception.

  Your reception is the only chance you'll have to get nice pictures of you and H with your family and friends. And pictures of your family and friends dancing, laughing, and enjoying your reception. You'll likely cherish those pictures more than you think.

  A hired photographer will be able to catch beautiful, candid, in-the-moment photos, whereas you'll only get posed photos from your friends with cameras.

   

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