Interesting Question

[ChowChi-Ching]

I was going through the pictures of my last wedding and a picture came up that I really liked and it was the couple bowing their heads as the minister said a prayer. It was really nice, but then a question came to mind....

Should a photographer keep taking pictures during a prayer in a wedding??

[Canuck935]

Yes. I occasionally shoot with a local wedding and event photographer, and the only restrictions to wedding photography we've faces is no flash during the ceremony and stay off the stage (or whatever they call it) during the ceremony. Otherwise everything else was game.

[another view]

Yes. I occasionally shoot with a local wedding and event photographer, and the only restrictions to wedding photography we've faces is no flash during the ceremony and stay off the stage (or whatever they call it) during the ceremony. Otherwise everything else was game.

Yes to all of this - you're hired to shoot because the couple likes what you see. If you "see" something, shoot. Don't call attention to yourself during the service obviously, but a few shots during a prayer or even a moment of silence would be totally acceptable.

[mjs1973]

I agree with what the others have said. If you are unsure, ask the minister before the wedding.

[ChowChi-Ching]

ok, I just was not sure on where we were considered "crossing the line" with shots, but I am glad to know that it seems to be 'normal' to take pics during prayer/moments of silence. I will make sure to add that on my list of 'ask efficient' questions though for future weddings!

[Frog]

You need to check with the church or who is conducting the ceremony.
Some churches or preachers do not allow photography during the ceremony, flash or not as it tends to distract from the sacrament.
I guess no one told you not to shoot during ceremony so I guess in this case it is alright.

[another view]

I guess I was assuming that you had asked the officiant about photography rules during the service - such as no flash, but unless they specifically mentioned something I'd take that as meaning that you can do it. You're hired to shoot, so any opportunity you have...

[ChowChi-Ching]

I always ask about Flash during the ceremony, or any time I am not allowed to shoot but I just never really thought about it until now about during the prayer times. I have been lucky so far with the officients I have had, all were more then willing to let me take shots when I wanted to. I just wasn't sure if it was allowed but still a faux pas for photographers.....

[Sebastian]

I have a photo of a bride looking up into a window during a prayer. I didn't think anything of it when I took it, I just thought it was a cute moment, she seemed a bit emotional, and the contrast of everyone else looking away while she looked up was interesting.

The day of the wedding was cloudy and rainy. As she was looking up into the window the sky had just begun to clear and it was starting to get sunny. I found out later that the day of the wedding she prayed to her deceased father asking him to give her a sign: let the sun come out if this is meant to be. During the ceremony she heard birds chirping, looked at the window and saw the sky clearing. When she saw that photo she was elated.

Moral of the story: you are paid to shoot the wedding, all of it, unless it breaks a rule set forth by the couple and/or the official.