Legalities of photos during civil ceremonies ?

pulsar69 (e2 Member)

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9 Dec 2011 - 6:11 PM

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Thought it was about time to open up this can of worms.

Not for the first time during a recent civil ceremony I was stopped by the registrar and informed there was no flash and no photos of the registry signing , then given the most awkward position from which to take the photos, no trouble though did what was required and got some good shots for the B&G as there was also two of us at two different angles.

However all the way through the ceremony and during the signing the wedding party continued to take shots using flash and all manner of moving around etc, whilst I as the professional photographer was expected not too. The registrar was unable unwilling and didnt even attempt to stop the wedding guests from taking photos.

So as part of my job I am prevented from photography whilst others are able to take shots, and this is in a private venue which I have permission to take photos in , does the registrar actually have any legal right to be enforcing such rules? there does not seem to be any legal presidence covering this and when its mentioned just seems to have become some sort of 'taboo' subject where its just best to do as told - surely its best to do what produces the best results ?

There are many registrars still out there who are fine with you just getting on and doing the job flash or no flash , even moving around if needed , so what is the score and what do others involved in weddings think of it all, does anyone know if its ever been challenged legally. I know whenever I have challenged strongly enough there has normally been a back down or a compromise even in the case of churches , but when you come across the awkward registrar who is in the right ?

I should probably say that I am asking this question on the basis of taking photos of any sort during a ceremony not just concerning flash , should there be restrictions placed on photographers by registrars ? or should the bride and groom as the employers set out the rules for what they require and the photographer just apply basic common sense?

Overread

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9 Dec 2011 - 7:05 PM

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It's the registrars property/premises/place of work so its by their rules that you are allowed to be there to conduct your work. Yes you are contracted by the bride and groom, but you've also got to play by the venue's rules as well.

Personally I'd say its down to communication well before the event; talk to the registrar well in advance to get the idea of what restrictions might be in place and then start negotiations to see if you can extend those limits if they impose upon your ability to work. You may find that you need to ask the bride to step in to see if they can lever some more restriction limits if those being imposed are (in your view) too great.

Otherwise its your professional side that has to act and if you've had restrictions placed on you you've got to work within them even if others do not.

Also, from hearing about similar tales from other wedding photographers, one thing that comes up is a lot of these greater restrictions are in place because of bad experiences in the past; pro photographers who've blasted away with flashes through the whole ceremony - who've been clicking non-stop or dancing around the area (getting the shots but also dominating the event by their motions). So a part of your negotiation would be a clear outline of your proposed working plan, if anything putting the registrar at ease as to how you are going to conduct yourself.

scottishphototours

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9 Dec 2011 - 8:47 PM

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I'm making an assumption that in this regard, Scots and English law maybe different, but I don't know for sure...

In Scotland, I have NEVER been refused access to take a "Register" picture, indeed Registrars up here ask guests to wait until the Pro has taken his before inviting the guests to come forward for a shot (which can often turn into a 20-minute rabble). Guests are informed NOT to take pictures during the ceremony, and it is explained regularly that this does not include the official photographer, who is generally NOT allowed to take any kind of flash picture during the ceremony (ok for register picture).

When faced with the awkward registrar, who is in the right?? - well that's where your debating skills come in! IF I felt the Registrars rules were out of the ordinary and they prevented me doing my very best for my clients then I'd state that fact - and I'd put my point across that I'm here do the best for the B&G - as well as the Registrar. If I felt unfairly treated, I'd even consider asking the Groom to come over while I put my point again - his word may swing the arguement. It's all about compromise.

If I felt they were going out of their way to make my job difficult, I'd send a written letter to that effect to the Chief Registrar for the area and request a clarification meeting.

Am not aware of any legal precedent regarding where we all stand, but will have a look...

STOP PRESS

Here's my local office's rules:

Photography

To observe the dignity of the occasion, photographs should not be taken during the ceremony. There will of course be an opportunity for photographs once the ceremony has been conducted. However, if a couple have an official photographer and wish photographs to be taken at certain parts of the ceremony i.e. exchanging of rings, this may be allowed at the Registrar’s discretion.

So there you have it - professionalism and compromise look like the only way forward...

pulsar69 (e2 Member)

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10 Dec 2011 - 12:27 AM

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I think the bartering, discussions and fighting the corner are all fair enough when we are doing our best for the client, but we really do need to find some legal clarification, after all has anyone yet met a B&G who didnt want their photos taken during a ceremony, and its all about them is it not ... ?

When was the last time you as a photographer gave the registrar an order ?

pulsar69 (e2 Member)

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10 Dec 2011 - 10:48 AM

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The signing of the registry part is a strange thing and anyone who does weddings frequenlty will know that even that part seems to be down to the vicar / registrar , sometimes they are quite happy for you to photography during the actual signing too , in fact one a vicar asked us to take the photos during the signing rather than after to save time ! go figure

pulsar69 (e2 Member)

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10 Dec 2011 - 11:09 AM

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quote from link above ref signing the registry -

But critics of the move say it is absurd because the register is a public document and the information entered in it is readily available on the internet from the General Register Office.


that says it all really , and the church never seems to have a problem with it ...

Jay44

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11 Dec 2011 - 2:17 PM

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I always used to seek out the Registrar before the ceremony and ask what rules they would like me to play by. Most of the time they were lovely, there were one or two who were a bit twitchy.

Everytime I would wait for the official signing to be over, then I would take my photos, quite often the page would have been turned over to a blank page. Once I had taken my photos guests were allowed to take theirs.

I never took photos while the couple were actually signing.