Just Put The Dang Phone Away Already
July 16, 2024
I remember it so clearly. I was photographing a wedding and it was time to pronounce them husband and wife. The location of the ceremony was indoors and relatively small, but definitely not cramped by any means. I’m standing in the aisle, ready for the photo of their first kiss as a married couple and suddenly, an arm reaches two feet in front of me holding a cell phone and snapping away right as they start their kiss.
Thankfully, this couple held it for quite a few seconds and I do happen to have ninja-like reflexes and was able to jump to the other side of the aisle and not miss photographing this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
I will not condemn this well-meaning father of the groom (yep, that’s who it was!)… he proudly wanted to remember this moment forever, too. But I still want to draw attention to him, along with the countless other family and friends who watch the unions of their loved ones through a phone screen, just hoping to get that photo snapped.
As a society, we have become addicted to our phones which has resulted in the “need” to document everything. I won’t pretend I’m innocent. I’ve been that mom who takes a dozen photos when I take my kids to the water park or during their first soccer game with the intent of sharing them on social media. But I realized that I was putting more effort into documenting the moment than into just enjoying the moment and soaking it in. With that realization, I have also come to the conclusion that the higher the stakes of the moment, the higher the “need” to document it…which is how the moment with the well-meaning father of the groom came to be.
At best, a guest snapping their own photos during a wedding results in them possibly not fully being present in the magical moment. But at worst? It can result in impeding the hired photographer(s) from snapping that same moment which means the couple does not receive a photo of said magical moment.
I promise I don’t mean this in a snarky way… but whose photos have the potential to be enlarged and put on the wall? A cell phone photo taken by someone with (likely) no training that cannot even be printed bigger than a 5x7 without being grainy? Or a photo taken by the professional photographer with years of experience and training that is a big enough file that it can be turned into a giant poster with no issues if desired?
I can’t tell you how many photos I have taken during a wedding (particularly during the ceremony) that have the glare of a cell phone distracting from the main purpose of the photo. Even when the couple and/or the officiant announces to put the phones away, it still happens. It’s frustrating. And it’s unnecessary.
An overwhelming majority of photographers give all digital images from a wedding to the couple. I actually go one step further and (with permission from the bride and groom) give the gallery info to the guests during the reception on their tables… this way, when the photos are finished, they can access ALL the photos from the day. Don’t get me wrong, I love my couples. But I’m the one hired to document the day, not soak it in. It’s not necessary for the loved ones of the couple to document it as well. I’d much rather they soak in the beauty of the moment and leave the documenting to me.
So… next time you are a guest at a wedding. Whether it’s your second cousin or your child (or anything in between)… put your phone away and just enjoy the moment. I promise the photographer has it covered!
