If you said, “Uh oh” when the Pastor turned around…. you were right.
“This is not about the photography. Â This is about God.” Â That's how a pastor BLASTED a photographer and videographer in a scene recorded on this Youtube Video. Â Right in the middle of the vows, the pastor whips around to chastise the photographer whose DSLR shutter sound had apparently annoyed the pastor.
Few details are known of the story behind this unfortunate occurrence and we don't know the back story here, but two things are certain: (1) All this bride and groom will remember of their all-important, life-changing vows is that their Pastor lost his temper–making a tiny annoyance into a massively embarrassing scene.  Did you see the bride and groom's faces?  (2) Photographers should always, always speak with both the couple and the officiator before the wedding ceremony to understand proper etiquette for that particular ceremony.
What are your thoughts? Â Was the pastor right? Â Was he justified? Â Was the photographer right? Â Was this simply a miscommunication? Â Should photographers carry bodies with electronic shutters while photographing certain ceremonies? Â What about the couple?
That’s why I always use my 70-200 mm lens during the ceremony. I never shoot that close and I am always far the ceremony. I do understand the frustration of the Pastor but I guess he went too far and made more drama than what it actually is.
I do meet with the Celebrant and the Couple and ask them what are my boundaries. The poor photographers and Videographer they did not deserve to be treated that way! Looks like the Pastor need some anger management.
My husband has been a pastor well over 30 years and I say he has NEVER EVER done anything like that, nor would he. I feel that pastor was not taking Gods leading when he spoke out in this way. Yes it was a sacred time during the vows but if anyone was showing lack of reverence it was this pastor. Shame on him for destroying this couples wedding ceremony vows with his hot headed temper. The reactions of him, not the shutter sounds, was the thing that destroyed the moment that can never be given back. I have coordinated many weddings and the bride and groom will give the photographers and videoographers check list and instructions as to where to get the shots THEY want. As a pastors wife this pastor is way off base in his explosive outburst. The couple will not need a picture to remember this distasteful and unacceptable behavior because they will have the picture and moment forever in their minds of the pastor that destroyed their special moment. Shame on him for not lettin God control his tongue. If these photographers had been behind him talking or something and not doing what they were hired to do this would be an entirely different post. As a pastors wife I can’t say I would want to visit his congregation. A pastor is to be a loving leader of his flock and there is no way that was done in a loving way. Pray tell it was outside and not even in his church! He had no jurisdiction or authority, he was hired just like the photographers!
I really agree with you!!!! I couldn’t believe how this man acted!!! he caused such a huge scene and I felt so bad for the bride and groom! He definitely did not act like a man of God! And I am sure if they did attend that church, they probably found another one, I know I sure would have!!! And chow many people would start attending church after seeing this!!! yikes!!
Looks like there may have been ground for fault on both ends. When I watch the video though the last thing I see is a photographer with a very long lens. Was this an uninformed second shooter who did not get the memo so to speak? It would be nice as Paul Harvey used to say, To know the ‘Rest of the Story!’ ;).
I think it was very wrong of the Pastor to blast the photographers.. It may have been about God.. but he put the total focus on himself after that scene he created.
Everyone should know their place at a wedding and what is acceptable and not. PERIOD! I feel terrible for the bride and groom that they will forever be reminded of this idiot who decided to take the show front and center with his impatient outburst. my opinion.. RIDUCULOUS!
I would love to know what the Bride and Grooms thoughts were on this smooth move.
Ridiculous..
AMEN and AMEN to The Pastors Wife.. 😉
I think the pastor was feeling a little too high and mighty that day. He’s not the one paying for the photographers to be there, if the bride and groom are having a problem with it they can say something (I’m sure they probably had already agreed to how the wedding was to be shot). Now that moment is ruined for them because a pastor can’t respect the bride/grooms decision to want the wedding to be recorded.
I always contact the pastor of the church to see what their rules are pertaining to wedding photography. Most have been very open to having me there knowing how important it is to the couple that hires me. Only once have I been told that I cannot use a flash and to be discreet as a ninja. So other than that, I have had the freedom to photograph the whole day. I do take into consideration that the vows are very important and the ceremony is the key function of the evening, so I try to zoom into areas where I could get in the way otherwise.
About himself 100%. I certainly would have harsh words with the pastor after the ceremony with the father of the bride. As professionals we’re expected to be just that, could be the pastor had a hangover. I advise the pastor of the “client needs” beforehand though, this makes what we do 10 times easier, instead of their rules, they do forget that they are also conducting a HIRED service.
I was not able to watch the video. My filters block streaming video. But I think I got the jist of it from the comments. This really caught my eye, as I am getting married in less than 3 months and havent talked with our pastor about video/photo. We made sure our venue allowed it, as I have seen many churches that wont allow video/photo except from designated places. I have extensivley talked with our shooters both video and photo, and told them to do whatever it takes to get the best shots they can. We requested the videographers bring in sliders and glide cams, and have requested access to the upper loft area (getting married in a barn) for both of them so they can climb around in the roof for different angles. The way I am looking at it is that I am paying them ALOT of money to be there so that MY WIFE AND I can have those memories recorded. Our family and friends are there to support us and rejoice with us, and not there for a show. On the same note we are going to remind our guests of that and that we ARE paying the PROS and not them, and not to get in the shooters way. I think I need to have a conversation with the pastor now.
I think from now on I am going to put a line for the pastors contact information into the contract so I can call him in advance and find out what he is okay with.
As one of my bosses used to say, “Its PREPERATION or PREPERATION-H”
In my opinion the pastor was out of line, he should have waited to the end or had made it a point to say before the ceremony that he did not want a photographer there. I honestly think it was a great video to get the vows, and maybe, just maybe the bride and groom had asked the photographer and videographer to be there so they had the vows on tape and close up. Cause the first thought I had when I opened it was THAT IS A GREAT IDEA, then oh shit when the pastor turned around.
If I was the bride I would call the pastor out and say it’s my wedding and I want it recorded! If it’s about God why is HE trying to get the limelight like that? Who is it really about, God or the pastor?
Wow! I feel SOOO bad for that couple!!!
I hope word gets spread and this “pastor” NEVER officiates another wedding. if this were my wedding he would not get the customary payment.
On second thought, I would sue this guy. It’s not even in a church!
The pastor embarrassed the couple this is clear. He made a much bigger scene than the photographer ever would have. He’s a narrow minded pastor since God is everywhere, including the place he wanted the photographer to be!
I think what was bothering the minister is that the photographer was using continuous shoot mode. Maybe this shot should have been left to just the videographer. I still think the priest was wrong to do what he did though. If the noise was bothering him, he should have just asked the photographer to be quieter.
While I agree that the pastor overreacted, my pet peeve is photographers who shoot up front. If you don’t have the proper equipment and expertise to shoot a wedding without disrupting the ceremony – ANY ceremony – you should not shoot weddings. Photographers should be invisible, and the best ones are.
You must confer with and explain to a minister where you will be and how often you will Click the hasselblad beast. They are loud and Big. Don’t become a distraction, Discuss with the bride her thoughts and desires, and all must agree to agree, A lot of ministers have a very weak presentation and can not stand any distraction, If the minister prohibits Cameras Period, Encourage the bride to change Churches, The minister is trying to Dominate the atmosphere of the entire wedding, I have 2500 weddings under my belt with a 50 year participation record and 99% have been very successful. Do not try to be the center of attention, Do your assigned Task and be quick and tactful and do not act as a Guest, You are paid for your experience and Knowledge, Try and not distract from the Reverence of the Event, Stay away from the front of the church, Some Shutterbuggers try and get on the ministers shoulder for a shot that most of the time will no be purchased, Common sense will prevail, Hash out all questions prior to the music starting, Do not be distracted by special requests, you can miss great impromptu shots by trying to help with a crying Child. Act like a sour puss and you get sour puss expressions, Humor will sell when fat cattle fail, Have some request expressions Jokes to fall back on, Have fun.