Photographers claim that vicars are ruining the joy of weddings for couples across the country.
In fact, wedding photographer Rachel Roberts has started a petition to address the clergy's behavior, which is described as 'humiliating' and represents a significant problem in the industry.
She was motivated to start the petition after watching a video online of a photographer being 'spoken to really aggressively' by a vicar as horrified wedding guests looked on, and she hopes to initiate a 'public conversation' on the issue.
Rachel told BBC Breakfast: 'Some of the stories that have come out are quite shocking. Many photographers and videographers now outright refuse to go near church weddings.’
According to the industry insider, fellow photographers have been asked to hide behind pillars when documenting ceremonies, stay at the back of the church throughout, or take just a single photograph throughout proceedings.
One vicar allegedly told a photographer they’d be kicked out of the church if they took pictures at the wrong time, while guests’ children are often allowed to make noise and run around the venue without restriction, something Rachel referred to as a 'double standard'.
‘People can be quite dismissive of photographers for wanting the ‘shallow’ part of the day,’ she added. ‘A lot of clergy members often say to us, “This is not Hollywood, it’s not a photoshoot”.’
BBC Breakfast interviewed a bride who said she was 'devastated' not to be allowed to get shots entering the church, as she was told by the priest her photographer had to remain in one spot throughout the celebration.
In response, Rev Anna Alls said she’d experienced disruptive photographers who’d distracted her from properly performing the marriage ceremony.
‘I am going to put quite a lot of effort into planning a wedding,’ she said. ‘There’s a lot going on, it’s really stressful. And you’ve got to be on top of everything. So I can understand why clergy are precious about that. We don’t want to be distracted.’
So far, more than 900 photographers have signed Rachel’s petition, with many sharing their own stories of conflict.
Anesta Broad wrote: ‘Verbal and physical aggression from church wardens and priests happens far too often and is unacceptable. It’s been years and I still carry the mental trauma of being pushed off an altar by a priest growling at me to stay out of his way.’
Another photographer, Cat Lane said: ‘I go out of my way to speak to a vicar/priest before the ceremony to ensure I am being respectful of their space, and we are often met with hostility, rudeness and rules that are so strict that they massively impede upon our ability to do our job.’
‘Overall, my general experience in the church as a photographer is of being treated like a naughty child and a seemingly concerted effort to belittle and humiliate me,’ added Hannah Mia.
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