Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

I didn't really care about table pictures at first, but I thought about it and now I would like the option to have them - so I re read the contract I have with my photographer - and it says that every table picture that is taken will have to be included in my main album.

I am confused as to what the big deal is about a photographer - does it compromise their 'art' or something - I'm a paying thousands of dollars - please go around a take table pictures of my guests!!!! Can someone fill me in. I'm feeding him, tipping him, paying him and he can't take a stupid table picture.

I know it isn't just my photographer, sometimes they charge more to do it. I just don't understand?

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

Hmmmm that's strange.
I didn't ask for table pics but he took them of the 2 immediate family tables which I thought was nice.

Maybe just give them a call. I am sure you can work something out. I have found my photographer to be flexible on things.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

Because my dad is a wedding photographer, I am going to defend the photographer on this one. Typically, photographers only do the two head tables unless otherwise requested. I go out with him sometimes as his assistant and i can tell you how difficult it is to get all of the people sitting at the table at one point to take a photo. Think about it, you want your guests to be mingling and having a good time dancing and what not. You don't want them sitting at the table all night anyway. A photographer can't possibly track down every person at every table to be there at one time to take a picture. It is really not practical. Plus, how is the photographer supposed to know who is missing from a table. Trust me, it is really really hard. And would you rather your photographer be taking pictures of memorable things during your reception or would you rather him be chasing down your guests for a photo. I did a wedding with him once where the bride paid extra to have all table shots done. She had about 15-20 tables which is about average. It took us the whole night to get them done. Thankfully he had me (the assistant with him) so that I can worry about getting everyone there and posed and he can focus on taking the important shots like first dance, cake, toasts, dancing with parents.

Now in your defense though, photography is a lot of money. When I got married mine was free (no, my dad didn't shoot my wedding) so I didn't request anything extra that the photographer would have to go out of his way for. But, I can certainly sympathize with how you feel. In this industry everything seems overpriced and you really expect a lot for the prices you pay and sometimes you don't get it.

Best of luck.


ETS: I just read your post again and wanted to comment that I do think it is strange that they would require it to be in your album, I agree with you on that one, it is very strange.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

we didn't want table pics taken...we thought it was too posed....they only took pics of our immediate family tables.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

We just decided it would be easier to have disposable cameras on the tables so those could be used for our table pictures.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

Thanks everyone - I guess I needed the perspective, I was just mad because I didn't see the problem.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

My Fh and I decided we were going to put the deposible cameras on each table and announce to our guest that we would like a table picture for each camera. OUr photogragher told us that it would take up a lot of time to take the table pictures and that it would take away from the 'candid' shots. HOpe it helps

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

It does sound a bit weird that you would have to have the table pics in your album. Maybe that is their way of not chasing down your guests all night? I think the table cameras will take care of that for you!

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

awwwwwwwwwwwe don't stress ginny!!

table cameras sounds like a good solution!!

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

I understand what you mean. My bro is a wedding photographer and did our wedding for us. I told him before the wedding that I wanted table pics and he told me exactly what Mrs. M said. I understood what he was saying but I didn't think that it would be a big deal. I decided against it since we had table cameras anyway. You know what, he was right. The only time that he would have had to take them and have everyone there at the table would have been in the very begining or when people were trying to eat. I got some great table shots from the cameras on the table. Maybe you can do the table cameras and put a note card asking your guests to get shots of everyone at the table. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Table Pictures... whats the big @$%* deal (vent)

Way back when, when we were meeting with photographers, some of them had table shots at an extra charge for the reasons mentioned. In all honesty you are probably not going to want pictures of people you work with in your wedding album. And I guess this was the photographers way of saying I am not wasting my time on this for nothing.