When I came across this photo, I couldn't believe what I was seeing! This was not our wedding so I don't know all of the details. (A special thanks to Jennifer Woodbury for letting me use the photo for learning purposes.)
It appears that the gentleman holding the tripod in front of the bride and groom is a friend of the family. He might have even volunteered to film the wedding ceremony for the couple. How great, right! It saves lots of money and gives him a job. I get that. I don't agree, but I get it. But obviously we have an issue. A professional videographer would NEVER, EVER be so obtrusive.
This photo actually makes me a little irritated because so often brides tell us that the reason that they don't want video is because they don't want a camera in their face all day. We don't work that way. We try to be as unobtrusive as we possibly can. A professional would know how to get the shots without being in the way. Professionals are also held to a higher standard. Churches place restrictions on us so that this doesn't happen (not that we would ever do this); they can't control what guests do. Thus the reason that we have this example of a bad situation.
Not only did he ruin the photographer's shot, but what did they guests see during this pivotal moment of the ceremony vows? So you save a little money, but yet it costs you in other ways.
I want to use this photo to help brides understand that it doesn't have to be this way. There are ways to get an amazing shot without being in the way. A professional videographer will be able to do this without you noticing that they are even around. This is what it looks like when you hire a professional videographer. This photo of the wedding ceremony came from David Shirk with Unplugged Photography. Do you see our cameras? We actually had 4. I don't even see one of ours.
My advice would just be to let your friends and family enjoy your wedding day and hire a professional videographer. In almost 10 years of business, we have NEVER had someone regret having a video, only not having one. Your wedding day will go by so fast (everyone says this because it is true); a professional wedding video will be something that you will treasure for years.