Priest meltdown over photographer at wedding. Ouch!! :O

[paul13walnut5]

The priest has two functions, to conduct the religious service and to officiate over the legal process of the marraige.

He's quite an important guy.

I agree that it's clear from this 30s clip that boundaries were not discussed before hand. It's the couples big day, but the priest has a job to do.

There is no respect shown for his office or his place in the proceedings. He could have carried himself better.

I don't see the contradictions.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I've experienced this in a church with tight space, in which it was impossible to get farther than 2 meters grooms. The priest stopped the ceremony and spoke rudely to stop photo and video at the moment. :-\ We stopped and hopefully finish that moment (embarrassing). :-[ Resumed when the marriage rite went to "You accept to marry ...". :-X Oddly, this same priest loves appear in the largest broadcasting station in the city, doing ceremonies for the governor, who is also the owner of the television station. Perhaps that day the priest forgot to take your medication. On the other hand, I realize that 1DX should not be used to take pictures at distances smaller than 3 meters from the priest. Better yet if 5 meters.

 

[bleephotography]

I've experienced this in a church with tight space, in which it was impossible to get farther than 2 meters grooms. The priest stopped the ceremony and spoke rudely to stop photo and video at the moment. :-\ We stopped and hopefully finish that moment (embarrassing). :-[ Resumed when the marriage rite went to "You accept to marry ...". :-X Oddly, this same priest loves appear in the largest broadcasting station in the city, doing ceremonies for the governor, who is also the owner of the television station. Perhaps that day the priest forgot to take your medication. On the other hand, I realize that 1DX should not be used to take pictures at distances smaller than 3 meters from the priest. Better yet if 5 meters.

Don't think I've ever seen so many different emoticons in a single post!

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I've experienced this in a church with tight space, in which it was impossible to get farther than 2 meters grooms. The priest stopped the ceremony and spoke rudely to stop photo and video at the moment. :-\ We stopped and hopefully finish that moment (embarrassing). :-[ Resumed when the marriage rite went to "You accept to marry ...". :-X Oddly, this same priest loves appear in the largest broadcasting station in the city, doing ceremonies for the governor, who is also the owner of the television station. Perhaps that day the priest forgot to take your medication. On the other hand, I realize that 1DX should not be used to take pictures at distances smaller than 3 meters from the priest. Better yet if 5 meters.

Don't think I've ever seen so many different emoticons in a single post!

Some emoticon representing my face and the photographer that day. Others represent the face of the bride and groom at that time. There is no emoticon ugly enough to represent the face of the priest that day. ;D

 

[distant.star]

.
I can imagine it's annoying to the master of ceremonies there to have photographers around. Hell, I get annoyed as a photographer when people start watching me instead of whatever they are there to see! The whole thing could have been avoided if someone had remembered his Boy Scout training!

As for those who claim the master of ceremonies responded calmly, I've got advice for you. Stay out of poker games and fights; you're going to lose. The fire in his eyes is satanic!

 

[agierke]

in Catholicism, there are 7 holy sacraments. Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination, and Last Rights. the church believes that these are moments when an individual makes a very direct and personal connection with God and it is not to be taken lightly. in the strictest observation of these sacraments, there should be absolutely no photography what so ever, but we live in modern times and whoever presides over the ceremony will determine what will be allowed and what will not.

having been an altar server, receiving 5 of the 7 sacraments myself, and being a wedding photographer as well, i am not one bit surprised about the Priests reaction nor do i disagree with it at all. Marriage is a religious ceremony first and foremost, it is a privilege to be present during it whether you be a guest or hired to photograph it. in the eyes of the church, the only necessities are God, the couple, their commitment to each other and to God, and the ordained officiant. that's it.

now on the other hand, IF i were still a practicing Catholic, i might argue that i am practicing God's gift to me through my photography and that i am there to honor God, the couple, and the sacrament with my skills but in the end nothing trumps the sacraments.

regardless of all that, i still show the proper respect during religious ceremonies whether they be Catholic, Jewish, Hindu or whatever. that moment is not mine...it is God's and it doesn't matter if i prescribe to the doctrine or not.

 

[Krob78]

They should have been using a 5D Mk III and been shooting in silent mode...

 

[takesome1]

in Catholicism, there are 7 holy sacraments. Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination, and Last Rights. the church believes that these are moments when an individual makes a very direct and personal connection with God and it is not to be taken lightly. in the strictest observation of these sacraments, there should be absolutely no photography what so ever, but we live in modern times and whoever presides over the ceremony will determine what will be allowed and what will not.

having been an altar server, receiving 5 of the 7 sacraments myself, and being a wedding photographer as well, i am not one bit surprised about the Priests reaction nor do i disagree with it at all. Marriage is a religious ceremony first and foremost, it is a privilege to be present during it whether you be a guest or hired to photograph it. in the eyes of the church, the only necessities are God, the couple, their commitment to each other and to God, and the ordained officiant. that's it.

now on the other hand, IF i were still a practicing Catholic, i might argue that i am practicing God's gift to me through my photography and that i am there to honor God, the couple, and the sacrament with my skills but in the end nothing trumps the sacraments.

regardless of all that, i still show the proper respect during religious ceremonies whether they be Catholic, Jewish, Hindu or whatever. that moment is not mine...it is God's and it doesn't matter if i prescribe to the doctrine or not.

+1 of course we are assuming the priest is Catholic. It may not be the case. Depending on their faith the priest may have done as he should. I can only fault him in that he didn't lean over and whisper it to the photographer. If you listen though it seems the photographer wanted to argue so it may have escalated anyway.

Still this situation was created by the photographers stupidity.

It was mentioned it was the couples day, which is true and they chose a priest who was tying them together before the eyes of God. If the couple didn't want God involved in the marriage why have a priest at all. A judge would have been fine and he could handle the divorce for them later.

 

[sanj]

"This is about God."!!!!!!!! Oh lord!

It is not correct to comment on the situation without knowing complete facts but this being about God is so far fetched.

 

[takesome1]

"This is about God."!!!!!!!! Oh lord!

It is not correct to comment on the situation without knowing complete facts but this being about God is so far fetched.

Maybe to you. I have known many Christian pastors that take the exchanging of the vows very seriously. The Bride and Groom are taking a Vow before God. Very serious and somber thing.

He wears a collar with a cross on the back and dresses like a priest? I would assume he is either Catholic or some Christian denomination.

The photographer (or the Bride and Groom) chose to post this video on You Tube. So it is very correct to comment on it since they obviously are wanting to be noticed. It was placed in a public forum to be seen.

 

[agierke]

"This is about God."!!!!!!!! Oh lord!

It is not correct to comment on the situation without knowing complete facts but this being about God is so far fetched.

Sanj,

the priest is wearing a collar and as takesome1 pointed out, it is most certainly a Catholic Priest or at the very least a Christian one.

it is FACT that the sacrament of marriage in Christianity is about God and the couple coming together before Him. ask any Priest...they hold the marriage ceremony very sacred. i served next to priests as an altar server during masses and many weddings for over 10 years. i know what i am talking about.

i am not trying to debate the validity of there being a God or any of that. i am not a practicing catholic anymore. it is their beliefs, not mine, that are important during that moment. i still hold respect for other's beliefs regardless of the denomination. you can never go wrong with respect.

the photographers were in the wrong in this situation. the priests reaction was totally justified based on the religious doctrine of the ceremony. you don't have to agree with it or like it, but you should be aware of it.

 

[Codzilla]

For those that think the couple has the final say because both the officiant and photogs are there to provide a service, think again. There is a hierarchy at a Christian wedding and, surprise, the minister is at the top. They call it "preside" over a wedding because he is THE boss. And he was given that responsibility by the B&G. Look up the word if you don't believe me, "president" derives from it.

If they don't agree with the religious component of the wedding, they can hire an actor or JP or whatever. If they feel it's about the photos, maybe they should have gone that route.

From what I can tell, the video was set up either right on top of, or way too close to the altar (sanctuary). I have $5 that says the priest never approved that location ahead of time, regardless of his denomination.

The edited clip speaks volumes as well. It is trimmed to show the priest in the worst possible light, probably so that it would go viral (as it did). You can push someone's buttons all day until they blow up. Only post the outburst and voila, you get what we see here.

Bottom line: it's the officiant's show. They bought into his belief system, at least for the day. Fall into line and STFU. To complain about it is like voluntarily joining the army and then complaining about the stupid war you got sent to. Suck it up, buttercup.

 

[BrandonKing96]

I don't blame the priest for blowing up at them, because of how invasive they actually were. But then the problem arises- that's what they are being paid for and they're doing their job. They're being paid to document the wedding (as bad as they are doing it).
And I feel as if the priest (as worked up as he was) should have discussed it at a latter time, NOT at a crucial part of the ceremony in front of everyone, ruining the beauty of the moment.
It's bad on either side. The photographers were too invasive, and the priest didn't choose the correct moment to... "discuss" the issue.
However, everyone is only thinking about the priest and documenting crew. What about the bride? A wedding is, after all, also subtitled as "the bride's (big) day".

 

[takesome1]

What about the bride? A wedding is, after all, also subtitled as "the bride's (big) day".

This brings up another way to look at this.
Of course it is possible this video was released with the Bride and Grooms permission afterwards.
But what if it wasn't.
What if it was released and now this embarrassing moment is out for the entire world to see. The one moment she had dreamed about her whole life released because some egotistical self centered photographer didn't like what happened.
What if this photographer is one of those we see that worry about retaining the rights to their own photographs, they worry about the rights so they can publish later if they like and feel entitled to do whatever they want with those images regardless of the consequences to others. We often see this mindset with street photographers who have the "right" to do what they do.

If the video was released without the B&G's permission after the event (not by their contract) then in my book this guy is real piece of work.

 

[AmbientLight]

If the video was released without the B&G's permission after the event (not by their contract) then in my book this guy is real piece of work.

Let's do hope that this is not the case. This would be even more embarrassing than what I consider the priest's lack of tact in handling the situation.

Let us also not forget that in today's societies many couples do marry out of a sense of tradition or pleasing their parents or just making a big show out of their marriage, only to make up in advance for facing divorce only a couple of years later, but this does not in any way make them buy into medieval church practices or the like, so the comparison with joining the army is not valid here. Being a Christian or Muslim or Hindu or whatever is your personal decision. I have found that many priests do realize that times have indeed changed and act accordingly, although the extent to which they openly show that does depend on their particular faith and of course on the country they operate in.

 

[Vossie]

If the video was released without the B&G's permission after the event (not by their contract) then in my book this guy is real piece of work.

There is an additional video on youtube: something would happen - feat: ABC News

The bride's brother posted the video. According to the couple (who spoke in the ABC coverage in the youtube link above) the photog had not gotten any restrictions other than not blocking the isle. They were very surprised about the priest's action. They did not blaim the photog is any way.

The photog was Kamrul Haman. I looked at his website (www.dhoomstudio.com) and am not particulaly impressed by his portfolio. In his blog (http://www.dhoomstudio.com/blog/) he has a posting about the incident incl some pic from happier moments of the day. He quote's the bride stating that it did not ruin the day.

 

[Joe M]

If the video was released without the B&G's permission after the event (not by their contract) then in my book this guy is real piece of work.

Let's do hope that this is not the case. This would be even more embarrassing than what I consider the priest's lack of tact in handling the situation.

I followed the link to youtube last night and there was a second one. It actually made the news on GoodMorningAmerica. Egads. In any case, in appears if I'm hearing it right, that the brother of the bride posted it with the couple's permission. The groom says there were no rules discussed other than to stay out of the aisle. This would seem to excuse the posting as the photographer trying to embarrass the minister (Episcopalian), but rather just the couple trying to share their uncomfortable moment.

I'm sure there is a little bit of embarrassment to be shared by everyone involved in this but to take something positive from it, maybe all brides-to-be should take note and ensure that everything about the ceremony is crystal clear with your minister and that includes what the photographer can and cannot do (maybe even in writing).
Edit...... And as I'm writing this, I see Vossie just posted the other link.

 

[takesome1]

If the video was released without the B&G's permission after the event (not by their contract) then in my book this guy is real piece of work.

There is an additional video on youtube: something would happen - feat: ABC News

The bride's brother posted the video. According to the couple (who spoke in the ABC coverage in the youtube link above) the photog had not gotten any restrictions other than not blocking the isle. They were very surprised about the priest's action. They did not blaim the photog is any way.

The photog was Kamrul Haman. I looked at his website (www.dhoomstudio.com) and am not particulaly impressed by his portfolio. In his blog (http://www.dhoomstudio.com/blog/) he has a posting about the incident incl some pic from happier moments of the day. He quote's the bride stating that it did not ruin the day.

Stop the video at :38 and imagine how Haman and his other photographer would look standing behind the pastor in the middle of the arbor at the most important part of the ceremony.

The photog needs to get a clue, he was only told to stay out of the aisle? He should have enough sense to stay out of scene.

 

[sanj]

"This is about God."!!!!!!!! Oh lord!

It is not correct to comment on the situation without knowing complete facts but this being about God is so far fetched.

Sanj,

the priest is wearing a collar and as takesome1 pointed out, it is most certainly a Catholic Priest or at the very least a Christian one.

it is FACT that the sacrament of marriage in Christianity is about God and the couple coming together before Him. ask any Priest...they hold the marriage ceremony very sacred. i served next to priests as an altar server during masses and many weddings for over 10 years. i know what i am talking about.

i am not trying to debate the validity of there being a God or any of that. i am not a practicing catholic anymore. it is their beliefs, not mine, that are important during that moment. i still hold respect for other's beliefs regardless of the denomination. you can never go wrong with respect.

the photographers were in the wrong in this situation. the priests reaction was totally justified based on the religious doctrine of the ceremony. you don't have to agree with it or like it, but you should be aware of it.

I see your point entirely, totally. I just find it difficult to believe that God is part of any of these man made rituals. Just my thoughts... I do not want to offend anyone here. Pls do not get me wrong.

 

[sanj]

"This is about God."!!!!!!!! Oh lord!

It is not correct to comment on the situation without knowing complete facts but this being about God is so far fetched.

Maybe to you. I have known many Christian pastors that take the exchanging of the vows very seriously. The Bride and Groom are taking a Vow before God. Very serious and somber thing.

He wears a collar with a cross on the back and dresses like a priest? I would assume he is either Catholic or some Christian denomination.

The photographer (or the Bride and Groom) chose to post this video on You Tube. So it is very correct to comment on it since they obviously are wanting to be noticed. It was placed in a public forum to be seen.

Yes yes to ME. Without offending ANYONE, I do not think two people getting dressed a certain way and taking wows has anything to do with God. My opinion.