Photographer sparks debate after slamming wedding guests' behaviour

A wedding photographer has sparked a contentious debate after criticising guests who take too many pictures on a couple’s big day.

The seasoned snapper made the plea online after shooting at a wedding where an attendee blocked her view with a phone, and ruined the frame showing the bride walking up the aisle.

An open letter

In the shot, which inspired the post, a guest’s phone is seen central to the frame, directly obstructing photographer, Hannah Stanley’s viewing of the venue entrance.

“To the girl with the iPhone,” she began. “Not only did you ruin my shot, but you took this moment away from the groom, father of the bride, and the bride,” she wrote.

“My bride would have printed this photo, looked at it often and reminisced over this moment as her dad walked her down the aisle on her wedding day.

“But instead, you wanted to take a photo with your phone, blocking my view, and taking a photo that you will not use.”

Hannah went on to explain the gaffe wasn’t the first of its kind she’s experienced and is actually increasingly common at weddings she photographs.

“Guests, please stop viewing weddings you attend through a screen but instead turn OFF your phone, and enjoy the ceremony,” she wrote.

“Please, let me do my job, and you just sit back, relax and enjoy this once in a lifetime moment.”

Divisive stance

And while her requests to guests was well received by some, others found fault at being told what to do on a loved one’s special day.

“I am blown away that you posted this. You did get the shot right?” asked one commenter.

“If so great, you did your job! Why did you make a big deal of it and shame the guest? Not a good idea.”

“A good photographer tells everyone that you [shoot] first, then you can snap,” quipped another user. “You’re to take all angles, you shouldn’t miss a shot.”

Despite the backlash, others supported Hannah’s stance, and remained adamant the guest’s behaviour was impolite at best.

“Could you imagine being the bride? Opening the doors to walk down the aisle and seeing nothing but people with their phones in their faces? Sad,” one person wrote.

“This is why I want a sign that says no phones,” agreed another bride-to-be.

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