3 Ways to Deal with Church Photography Restrictions at a Wedding

1. UNDERSTAND THE RESTRICTIONS

Church restrictions pertaining to photography can vary wildly, and while wedding photojournalists all cite different restrictions that make them particularly crazy, one thing seems to jive with many: they want to know up-front what the restrictions are, so there are no surprises on the wedding day. It’s always best if brides and grooms don’t have to play catch up, retrofitting their photography needs to fit often misunderstood—and sometimes even arbitrary—restrictions.

Some of our WPJA members have noted that there have been times where they were not permitted to photograph the ceremony at all. However, this is not information that should only be discovered on the wedding day—rather your wedding photographer needs to know the restrictions ahead of time so that they can figure out a plan.

Some wedding photojournalists strive to be very frank with their clients about what they can accomplish, given tight restrictions. They feel their clients should know exactly how the restrictions are going to affect the photographs. For example, if the church will only allow a photographer to shoot from behind the last row of people, then the couple should not expect a spread of shots showing their facial expressions during their vows. There’s always going to be a repercussion.

Churches often impose rules about where the photographer can stand during the ceremony. Some churches won’t let photographers on the altar. Others insist they can only stand behind the last row of people or shoot only from the balcony. WPJA members have noted that one of the most common requests they receive is that they choose one spot to stand in and stay there for the duration of the ceremony. This is a difficult restriction and, while your wedding photojournalist can still make this work and take beautiful, tight shots from just about anywhere, the couple should not expect a variety of different angles with these types of restrictions.

Our members have said that it’s important for the couple to understand ahead of time what is and what isn’t possible. It’s a good idea for the bride and groom to discuss the restrictions with their photographer well in advance to see if they are comfortable working within those restrictions.

2. HOW CAN YOU GET THAT FACE TIME?

WPJA members have noted that one of their favorite moments to capture is when the bride and groom are facing each other during the ceremony, saying that this moment is particularly quiet and intimate, revealing a shared emotion between the couple. Naturally, they have also mentioned that they are always disappointed when they are not able to get into a position that allows them to capture that particular moment. Our members have also said that during every wedding there are many different expressions when the bride and groom glance at one another or share a laugh that, unfortunately, just aren’t in view of the photographer, particularly when the couple is standing at the altar facing the officiant.

Our wedding photojournalists have the same advice: talk to your wedding official. They usually have the power to bend the rules. Sometimes the restrictions are outdated, sometimes they are not enforced, or the official is willing to overlook them if you make a strong case. Many times the matter rests entirely on the mood of the person making decisions that day.

The clergy person or justice who will serve as your wedding official, or officiant, needs to understand that your wedding photojournalist is not going to show up and cause a major disturbance. Perhaps that person has had bad experiences with pushy, inconsiderate wedding photographers in the past. It’s your job to let them know your wedding photojournalist will be respectful of the ceremony. If necessary, our members recommend that you make sure the officiant is made aware that your photographer will not use flash, if requested. Wedding photojournalists, by definition, are there to capture what’s happening as inconspicuously as possible—almost invisibly.

3. IRKSOME INJUSTICE

Another point to raise: the restrictions are usually placed only on the photographer—not the guests, who are all snapping (and flashing!) willy-nilly with their point-and-shoot cameras and phones. That could be a big frustration considering wedding photojournalists often make every effort at being discreet and will avoid using flash when asked.

If a patient explanation gets you nowhere, one last resort is to involve the couple in the negotiation process. When the bride insists the photographer is granted access or permission, it tends to work better.

What most wedding photojournalists will not do is break the rules. Our award-winning members concur, saying that every church has its rules, which most wedding photographers are not willing to break for the bride and groom. It is important to them to remain professional and, first and foremost, the ceremony is a sacred event, not a theatrical performance. So, most wedding photojournalists will move wherever they’re allowed while remaining discreet and without breaking the rules. 

Other wedding photojournalists may not be so docile. As the ones hired to actually document the ceremony, they feel that if rules are placed only on them and a ‘No Photography’ or ‘No Flash Photography’ general announcement is not made to all guests in attendance at the wedding, then they are free to follow what the guests are doing. If the guests are shooting flash, they’ll use it as well, if needed, regardless of the dos and don’ts that were mandated in advance.

In churches where they won’t allow photography at all, one option they usually offer would be to restage the important moments from the wedding after the ceremony has already taken place. However, nobody ever wants to do that. It goes against the very notion of wedding photojournalism.

Ultimately, our members assert that what’s most important is that the bride and groom feel a connection to their church—that they view it as a comfortable environment that they have an attachment to. At the end of the day, the wedding photojournalist’s own desires come second to the couple’s preferred church. Whatever they are or are not allowed to do, your photographer will make it work, which is why the couple’s open communication with them is so important in order to avoid being surprised and unprepared on the wedding day.