Dumb Question about Pictures

[TheOlogee]

This may be a dumb question but here it goes. I am a one man show at current and need more quality photos and video of my gigs. Looking for advice on how to make this happen while performing. My objective is to get more crowd footage.

I have a wedding in two weeks and plan to setup 2 pocket camcorders on mic stands (inconspicuously) to capture video at different angles. This will be the first doing this so hoping for better results than my previous attempts on the video side.

For still shots I plan to have my "point and shoot" cam in the booth with me on a tripod and set to take shots in "continuous/bursts" mode. I think this is a start.

Any other ideas to consider short of taking a photo class and investing in a DSLR? Should I just pay someone to tag along for a few gigs to take pics?

 

[ahoustondj]

Just be careful, some people don't take to kindly to be photographed or videographed without their permission. There is nothing wrong with buying and using Stock Photos until you can replace them with your own. At almost every event, there is someone taking pics, ask that person to take a few for you. Or you can let them Photograph or Videograph for you, using your Camera and share the photos and video with them.

 

[DJ J Mac]

Include a clause in your contract about a photo release. Also, when you get a professional photographer at a wedding, ask them if you can use some of their photos as long as you give them credit for the photos.

 

[rickryan.com]

I take tons of pics at my gigs and even offer it as a service called "Live-Pics" (live slideshow). My opinion, I've posted vids and stills and stills sell better. I would recommend the best camera you can afford. I use a Canon T1i and a Tamron 2.8f lens. Be careful about flash or getting in the way of the paid photog. After you get the hang of it you'll find it's easy to establish a rhythm. Start a song, grab the camera, make a round of the dance floor and few times, back to your station.

 

[Patrick]

key piece of advice.....be sure to get the official wedding photographer's permission before you start taking pictures. This is the key reason we DO NOT take pictures anymore.

In regards to getting quality pictures, ask the photographer at each wedding you do if they can send you a couple pictures involving activities you are part of to use on your site. Tell them you will link the pictures back to their site. This is the approach we take now, and it is a great way to network with your local photographers (I did not come up with this, it was actually suggested by a couple people on here)

 

[ahoustondj]

Include a clause in your contract about a photo release. Also, when you get a professional photographer at a wedding, ask them if you can use some of their photos as long as you give them credit for the photos.

The Contract is between the Client (Bride) and the DJ. The Client has no permission to sign away their Guests rights to privacy. You would need to get the permission of everyone in a published photo.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I take tons of pics at my gigs and even offer it as a service called "Live-Pics" (live slideshow). My opinion, I've posted vids and stills and stills sell better. I would recommend the best camera you can afford. I use a Canon T1i and a Tamron 2.8f lens. Be careful about flash or getting in the way of the paid photog. After you get the hang of it you'll find it's easy to establish a rhythm. Start a song, grab the camera, make a round of the dance floor and few times, back to your station.

Ricky we're on the same page this time. I bought a Canon T3i and i love it. My 2 biggest reasons for buying that DSLR is that i took pictures with my old camcorder that takes pictures. The pictures were horrible. So i wanted something much better to take pictures and video. Now my reason why i personally picked that one was because that's what i got recommended here. I trusted those who knew more then me and they hit the nail on the head. I'm still getting used to it but i couldn't be more happy!

One thing though. I don't know if it's within your budget. This camera isn't cheap by any means but just remember you get what you pay for. It's well worth the price for Shure!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ittigger]

I use the T1i too. Love it!

 

[Papa Deuce]

key piece of advice.....be sure to get the official wedding photographer's permission before you start taking pictures. This is the key reason we DO NOT take pictures anymore.

In regards to getting quality pictures, ask the photographer at each wedding you do if they can send you a couple pictures involving activities you are part of to use on your site. Tell them you will link the pictures back to their site. This is the approach we take now, and it is a great way to network with your local photographers (I did not come up with this, it was actually suggested by a couple people on here)

Why? I mean for harmony it is nice, to play nice, but I don't work for or care about the photographer. I'm not saying to be rude, but he has what he wants to accomplish, and so do I, and I don't give a crap if he doesn't want me taking pictures.

But also, years ago on Sid's board, I told a story about a DJ who probably took 10x the amount of photos that the photog did. He was NEVER behind his rig for more than 10 minutes an hour. It wouldn't have shocked me if the DJ took 2000 photos that night. He was going from table to table.... he was asking people to pose while dancing.... it was ridiculous.

 

[mikemerlin]

Get yourself a used Nikon d50 for a few hundred bucks(camera is the least important) and Listen to Rick get yourself that tamron lens. It is an investment but it realistically is the only way to get reliable consistent pictures from your gigs

 

[rickryan.com]

Why? I mean for harmony it is nice, to play nice, but I don't work for or care about the photographer. I'm not saying to be rude, but he has what he wants to accomplish, and so do I, and I don't give a crap if he doesn't want me taking pictures.

But also, years ago on Sid's board, I told a story about a DJ who probably took 10x the amount of photos that the photog did. He was NEVER behind his rig for more than 10 minutes an hour. It wouldn't have shocked me if the DJ took 2000 photos that night. He was going from table to table.... he was asking people to pose while dancing.... it was ridiculous.

Speaking as someone who takes a TON of pics at events, don't bother with the photogs. Just don't use flash and don't get in their way or in their shots and you'll be fine. As for release, I put that standard in my contract. Sure, you're not covered with guests but in this day and age, I think they'd be hard pressed to levy damages against you for putting them up on social media and in a group situation (not singled out). Take lots of pics. They sell dates.

 

[drzinc]

I shoot Pentax (learned on a K1000 many years ago) Get a DSLR with two fast lens and you are set.

 

[Patrick]

Ok, I will rephrase my statement.......if you are not worried about vendor recommendations or referrals, but all means, shoot away without discussing it with the photographer.

We have been told by 3 photographers (and all three are good friends of mine) that we were not on their referral list because we took pictures at events. We have also been approached by several photographers at events and told they were the only ones who were allowed to take pictures.

We no longer take a single picture at any event where there is an official photographer. This weekend's wedding has no photographer, so Eric will take a few pictures and I will have the Zoom out for some video. That will be the last one this year we will take a single picture at.

 

[DJ J Mac]

Ok, I will rephrase my statement.......if you are not worried about vendor recommendations or referrals, but all means, shoot away without discussing it with the photographer.

That's bull. We get referrals from photographers and we still snap pictures. Heck we even snap pictures when its a photog that we know we can get images from after the event. The shots we take are to serve our needs. After all, I know the pictures we're looking for are not the same as what the photographer was paid to take.


We have been told by 3 photographers (and all three are good friends of mine) that we were not on their referral list because we took pictures at events. We have also been approached by several photographers at events and told they were the only ones who were allowed to take pictures.

Patrick, at the same time, you were offering a full blown photography service as well. It's no wonder they wouldn't recommend you because at that point you were their competition. Same goes for the photographers telling you not to take photos.

We no longer take a single picture at any event where there is an official photographer. This weekend's wedding has no photographer, so Eric will take a few pictures and I will have the Zoom out for some video. That will be the last one this year we will take a single picture at.

We use a basic old Kodak camera for our purposes (for it's age and tech level it does a darn good job). Photographers don't have a problem with it, because we give them the respect of not competing with them for shots. They get the space and angles they need to do their job, we try and time our flash to avoid theirs (of course, if ours actually affects theirs then they've got bigger issues).

 

[rickryan.com]

Ok, I will rephrase my statement.......if you are not worried about vendor recommendations or referrals, but all means, shoot away without discussing it with the photographer.

We have been told by 3 photographers (and all three are good friends of mine) that we were not on their referral list because we took pictures at events. We have also been approached by several photographers at events and told they were the only ones who were allowed to take pictures.

We no longer take a single picture at any event where there is an official photographer. This weekend's wedding has no photographer, so Eric will take a few pictures and I will have the Zoom out for some video. That will be the last one this year we will take a single picture at.

Photogs usually are the most prissy vendors at any event. For the first couple of years I listened to the photogs "Just ask us for promo shots and we'll send them". Not a single one followed through with their promises. Maybe they get fussy in your area but in mine I've had exactly 2 that were issues. One gig, in Memphis, I actually had a photog tell me "I thought I was the only paid photographer here." I just laughed and walked away. On a different event, I got an anonymous, hate-filled email, lambasting me for the shots I was taking (Monday after). I picked up the phone and called the photog from that event and started off with "I understand I offended you by taking pictures at the wedding this weekend." She denied it was her but then went down the same issues in the email point-by-point. Obviously it was her and she was too cowardly to discuss it. I made nice with her and we're facebook friends now.

My point is, good promo shots will put far more bookings on your books now than any perceived referrals do down the road. Like I said earlier, just stay out of their way, do not use flash, and do not get in the line of their shots. You'll gain far more referrals from them by starting a conversation and giving them cues during the event than you will by walking in fear that you'll offend them.

Take care of yourself first.

 

[tpaairman]

As for release, I put that standard in my contract. Sure, you're not covered with guests but in this day and age, I think they'd be hard pressed to levy damages against you for putting them up on social media and in a group situation (not singled out). Take lots of pics. They sell dates.

Don't be so sure. As an experienced videographer I can weigh in on this one.

Generally speaking, it's not a problem, but yes, you could get sued and loose on this because you are using the guest's image for commercial use without their permission. Also posting it publicly can lead to privacy law suits. I know this sounds dumb. When you attend a wedding, you expect their to be a photographer and possibly a videographer. But most people's expectation is that will all stay with the bride and groom, without thinking that those vendors may use those photos and videos to promote themselves. Here's where the problem comes in. Let's say one of the guests is cheating on his wife. He brings his new lover to the wedding. They get photographed and it gets posted on line. Now, anyone who goes to your website, with those picts can see them together.

I know this seems far fetched, and in reality, you probably would never have a problem. But if a guest did see their pict, and they did not sign a release, they absolutely can sue you and win. That's why on reality shows you will see some people's faces blurred out. The only way they have to get around this is to put up signs in the area saying "This is a filming area" blah, blah, blah.

As far as the photogs having issues with you taking picts, there's two things to consider, so you have to answer for yourself. The first is them being the only paid photographer. I have such a clause in my contracts (only paid videographer), however it also states that guest are also allowed to take their own videos, so long as they don't get in my way. The photographer should have a similar clause, and if they have a hissy fit, tell them you are not taking the picts to give to the bride and groom or the guests, that they are for your own purposes.

But the second thing to consider is, as mentioned, if you peeve them off, they may not refer you. So you have to figure out which is more important and balance it out.

 

[rickryan.com]

Don't be so sure. As an experienced videographer I can weigh in on this one.

Generally speaking, it's not a problem, but yes, you could get sued and loose on this because you are using the guest's image for commercial use without their permission. Also posting it publicly can lead to privacy law suits. I know this sounds dumb. When you attend a wedding, you expect their to be a photographer and possibly a videographer. But most people's expectation is that will all stay with the bride and groom, without thinking that those vendors may use those photos and videos to promote themselves. Here's where the problem comes in. Let's say one of the guests is cheating on his wife. He brings his new lover to the wedding. They get photographed and it gets posted on line. Now, anyone who goes to your website, with those picts can see them together.

I know this seems far fetched, and in reality, you probably would never have a problem. But if a guest did see their pict, and they did not sign a release, they absolutely can sue you and win. That's why on reality shows you will see some people's faces blurred out. The only way they have to get around this is to put up signs in the area saying "This is a filming area" blah, blah, blah.

As far as the photogs having issues with you taking picts, there's two things to consider, so you have to answer for yourself. The first is them being the only paid photographer. I have such a clause in my contracts (only paid videographer), however it also states that guest are also allowed to take their own videos, so long as they don't get in my way. The photographer should have a similar clause, and if they have a hissy fit, tell them you are not taking the picts to give to the bride and groom or the guests, that they are for your own purposes.

But the second thing to consider is, as mentioned, if you peeve them off, they may not refer you. So you have to figure out which is more important and balance it out.

Yes, there is a CHANCE you could get sued but aren't we talking astronomical odds? What's the chances that said guest would even know who you were, where you website is, how to get to the pics, and that they'd have a problem with it being there? Even so, it's not reasonable to think they'd be successful with a lawsuit until they'd given you proper Cease and Desist notification, giving you a chance to remove the offending picture(s).

And to beat a dead horse (again), you guys can live in fear that some photog MIGHT not refer you but I don't operate that way. I have plenty of photogs who are pitching my name around town because of one thing; I work with them (give them cues on the events) and I deliver great events that make for great pictures which puts more coin in their pocket. THAT is how you get referrals from photogs.

 

[tpaairman]

Yes, there is a CHANCE you could get sued but aren't we talking astronomical odds? What's the chances that said guest would even know who you were, where you website is, how to get to the pics, and that they'd have a problem with it being there? Even so, it's not reasonable to think they'd be successful with a lawsuit until they'd given you proper Cease and Desist notification, giving you a chance to remove the offending picture(s).

Yes it's true that the chances are very slim. As I said, it's seems far fetched, and in reality you probably would not have a problem. All I'm saying is the risk might be slight, but it's still there. And no, they would not need a C&D to win a lawsuit. Let me give you a similar example. We all know how the RIAA has gone nuts suing people for sharing music. Now they have started visiting the websites of videographers. What they are looking for is any part of the video that has been put up where music was playing and caught in the video. This has just started happening within the last year or so, so I'm not sure how successful they have been in a case going all the way to court. But I do know that there have been some that have settled.

 

[Ed Witles]

DJs have been blurring the line by offering photography, chocolate fountains, booths, up-lighting, full service planning and etc. And these options can tread on others lively hoods. Let's have photographers offering iPod music for ceremony and cocktails. After all, they will be present, why not?Ok, my $0.02 on this. Here is a secret... Shhhhhhh... Photographers talk. They know planners who know venue managers who know catering directors. And they talk among themselves and that annoying paparazzi DJ will find himself 'blacklisted'. Networking referrals are Golden. In my market, the referral value of a $4500+ photographer is worth more than a year's worth of paid advertising.Many professionals can be 'prissy' or downright unpleasant. Reason? They deal w/ annoying DJs all the time and keep their guard up and BS filter on.In summary, make your fellow vendor's job easier. Even if it means being sweet when they are being ugly. Stand apart from the rest (in a good way) and they will remember. And will spread the word.Now I take an occasional picture or video - but 90% of the time it is a gear shot or a very generic group dancing - and usually when the paid photog has left.

 

[Audio One]

OR, you could just post photos of someone elses event like a certain DJ I called out on this very subject last week.