Yeah, I said it…lol. But here’s what I mean.

Wedding photographers are always complaining and griping about ‘Uncle Bob’. Who is Uncle Bob you ask? Well, he is the family member that comes to the wedding with his nice DSLR and takes photos ALL DAY LONG. So photographers have come up with this nickname. I hear photographers ALL OVER whine and complain about them getting in their shots or taking photos of poses they’ve set up or even messing up the lighting with the flash. Now, I TOTALLY understand their concern here BUT…. who really thinks that you as a wedding photographer will be the ONLY one with a camera?! Truth is, relatives do NOT bother me one bit with cameras. I LOVE that they want to capture the moment too. I often try to not be in THEIR way! I do not feel like they are ‘stealing my poses’ or messing up with my lighting. To be honest, it is SO SO SO rare for them to trigger their flash the same time as yours. And if you’re doing your job right, you’ll have additional images that are perfect and not affected by anyone.

I must admit that I was once ‘Uncle Bob’ (or the female version “Aunt Sally’) at my brothers wedding a few years back before I even became a photographer. I followed them all over and was taking photos and NOT ONCE did it even occur to me that I was a bother to the photographer. Mostly because I just didn’t know any better but ALSO because that photographer had the best professional demeanor that a photographer can have. He allowed me to photograph and was pleasant and smiling. Now if he were to have been rude or tell me to leave, I probably would’ve had a WHOLE different feeling about him right? As would my brother and his wife. Our job is to be the professional in ALL manners. I would NEVER keep a family member from getting the shot. I would never tell them to stop using flash. I WANT them to capture the day. And hey, maybe they can get a few shots of me too! That’s my $.02. Weddings are for EVERYONE!

Peace, love and photography!