The One where the Photographer gets booted out of the church.

As Martin Gore of Depeche Mode once wrote.

“People are people, so why should it be, you and I should get on so awfully?”

You may have read in the press and seen on the TV news/current affairs show last week about the wedding photographer Rachel Roberts initiating a petition to improve working conditions for wedding photographers and videographers in churches.

This call to arms has so far rallied 900 signatures in a week, which, considering the amount of coverage the article garnered, coupled with the likelihood that there are over 900 wedding photographers in my street alone, isn’t so much a sign from God as a drop in the baptismal font.

Before I continue, I am not taking sides. Firstly, I am a wedding photographer, and have been for over 20 years, I am also a practising, god-fearing atheist. So, you might suspect my allegiances would be firmly in camp camera, but not so fast.

As the 80s synth-pop song proclaims, “People are People.” We are not dealing with a blanket problem with The Church of England or a higher deity with a cross to bear; these are human individuals with emotions, off days, and stress, just like you and me.

Part of the issue stems from some wedding photographers themselves. I have heard many stories from Vicars, Priests, wedding guests and couples where their “snapper” (I hate that term almost as much as “Togs”) behaved wholly (or holy) unacceptably. I suspect this has become more prevalent in today’s age of entitlement and absence of respect and manners. A lack of understanding on the part of many photographers as to how stressful leading a wedding ceremony can be may also account for their unwillingness to be as invisible as possible.

The photographer (or videographer) must first respect that they are entering a holy sanctuary, a sacred space of reflection, prayer, and worship; regardless of whether they are, like me, an unbeliever, they should be mindful of others. Would they refuse to remove their shoes on entering a Mosque or dress inappropriately for a Hindu Temple or Synagogue? I would hope not.

Although our churches are more lenient with the attire you wear to church, I find that dressing smartly, similar to the wedding guests, will help to win favour. With dismay, I often see in social media videos a photo/video team in black hoodies scampering around a church mid-service like a troop of macaques preying on unsuspecting tourists. I cringe, and I am sure the presiding officiant feels very distracted.

For balance, I have also met with some very un-Christian clergy, one in particular, at a church in Exmouth who barred all photography, no matter how discreet, save from the first kiss. What a strange narrative: the Bride arrives at Church, the Bride and Groom kiss, and the Bride and Groom exit the church as a married couple.

I can only imagine his decision and point-blank refusal to sway from it was based on PTSD from one or more previous encounters with photographers “popping up” between the couple, like Mr Punch, but in a black hoodie.

If you are planning a church wedding, please talk with your Vicar or Priest. If their prerequisites are restrictive beyond reasonableness, challenge their reasoning; please don’t expect your photographer/videographer to negotiate this on your wedding day.

I have photographed hundreds of church weddings and have never had a problem being discreet, respectful, and ultimately coming away with a beautiful record of the occasion. The ceremony and marriage are paramount, and the photos are to record the event.  

Photographers don’t let your ego get in the way of a religious service. Be respectful and discreet; it’s not all about you.

Vicars, please don’t tarnish all wedding professionals with the same brush; some are less professional than others.

Couples, please discuss the subject with your officiant before your wedding day; it is not fair for your photographer or videographer to have this conversation minutes before your wedding. 

This isn’t a problem that cannot be amicably resolved, I think the petition is confusing Churches with corporations, I am not sure which of the disciples would be the HR department dealing with “better working conditions”? Maybe Judas?