Why we ask for room

Wedding photographers are sometimes known to make requests at the ceremony and reception for everyone to give us room and to not take flash photography. There are a few reasons why we ask this:

- We are hired professionals and are there for a reason. Our photos are the most important ones being taken.
- We use thousands of dollars of pro-level equipment vs. a relative running around with a point and shoot. Who's photos are the couple going to like more? My online gallery of high resolution photos, or a  Facebook album full of washed out, overexposed and blurry images.
- If guests do not remain in there seats, they can get in the way of shots and can hinder my ability to get to where I need to be. This is a matter of safety too, if I'm backing up and taking shots, and someone pops out behind me, I could trip and both of us could be injured and I risk ruining my equipment.
- Flashes firing can ruin a moment and my shot.

Here are examples from the most recent wedding I shot.  During the cake cutting ceremony, the guests still bombarded myself and the very lovely couple even after being asked to wait.

There is time for this after I am done taking my own shots.

This is the result of a flash firing while my shutter is open. This photo in particular isn't completely ruined, I could salvage it if need be but what if I wanted everything in the picture? That black bar has effectively ruined this shot and if this happened during a very important moment such as the first kiss, I can't tell you how disappointed a newlywed couple would be.

Requesting for room and no flash photography at a wedding isn't for our benefit.  This is for the bride and grooms benefit, they are paying for me to be there and expect the best of the best for photos. Guests should stay in there seats, enjoy the wedding, and can take as many photos as they'd like but at the appropriate intervals.

- Ryan