Vicars can be ‘complete pain’ and ‘over controlling’ with photographers trying to snap pictures during a wedding, an ex-Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted.
Dr Rowan Williams, who served as the officiant for the Prince and Princess of Wales, argued that while some clergy get frustrated with intrusive photographers, it is ‘not unreasonable’ to ask cameramen to the respect the spirituality of matrimony.
‘The event isn’t staged just as a spectacle to be filmed, but as a personal encounter of a couple with God,’ Dr Williams, 73, told The Sunday Times. ‘So there are indeed two sides to this.’
His remarks come amid tensions between wedding photographers and clergy, with more than 900 snappers last week having signed a petition calling for church leaders to be more considerate.
The photographers claim it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the ‘aggressive, rude and humiliating’ behaviour of members of the clergy.
Some of the alleged ‘rude behaviours’ include vicars halting the ceremony, intentionally obscuring the couple or exiling photographers altogether.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams admitted vicars can be ‘complete pain’ and ‘over controlling’ with photographers trying to snap pictures during a wedding, but also argued it is ‘not unreasonable’ to ask cameramen to the respect the spirituality of matrimony
More than 900 photographers have signed a petition started by Rachel Roberts, from Lincoln, calling for church leaders to be more considerate. The photograph above was taken by Mrs Roberts at a successful church wedding
The former Archbishop acknowledged that the actions of some clergy can be irritating, but also reiterated that there are ‘two sides’ to this debate.
‘While some vicars can be a complete pain and over controlling to a degree, clergy too need to be able to do their jobs,’ Dr Williams told the newspaper.
‘A request not to be intrusive during a service when something significant is supposed to be taking place at the spiritual level is not unreasonable.’
He reminds photographers that marriage is meant to be a ‘spiritual’ ceremony and should be respected as such.
But photographers claim they are only trying to honour couples’ wishes, noting that images of that first special first kiss are treasured.
Snappers are asking to have ‘some kind of collaborative effort’, said Birmingham-based photographer Mike Horton, who now longer shoots church weddings because ‘I just don’t want the hassle’.
Similarly, Jade Eleanor, a photographer from Surrey, said the ‘power struggle’ between snappers and vicars is ‘really awkward’ and ‘not fair on the couple’.
Photographers claim it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the ‘aggressive, rude and humiliating’ behaviour of members of the clergy. Some of the alleged behaviours include vicars halting the ceremony, intentionally obscuring the couple or exiling photographers altogether
Mrs Roberts, 37, said that while photographers acknowledge that the service is a solemn occasion and take steps to be discreet, they’re often subject to strict rules which make their job more difficult
The petition was started by photographer Rachel Roberts, from Lincoln, who said a conversation between wedding photographers and church leaders was needed to address the situation for the benefit of marrying couples.
She said couples were increasingly choosing not to wed in church while photographers were avoiding taking work in churches because of the problems they face.
Mrs Roberts, 37, told the Daily Mail last week that while photographers acknowledge that the service is a solemn occasion and take steps to be discreet, they’re often subject to strict rules which make their job more difficult, with some ministers being openly hostile towards them.
The photographer said couples were also frequently finding out on the day of their wedding that they can’t have pictures inside the church at all leaving them devastated.
She added that she felt many church leaders were ‘stuck in the past’ and that those who embraced photography and social media had waiting lists for weddings.
Mrs Roberts hoped the petition would help make ‘positive change’ adding: ‘Ultimately, we all want the same thing which is to deliver lovely results for the couple’.
Dr Rowan Williams officiated the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey, London on April 29, 2011
While it is at the priest’s or vicar’s discretion on what photographs can be taken at each church, many refuse to allow them during the ceremony at all. Others permit only one picture or photos only during the signing of the register.
The Church of England has said that it worked with professional photographers to produce guidance for couples.
A spokesperson told : ‘Our clergy welcome couples and work with them to ensure that their wedding is personal, meaningful, spiritual, and beautiful. Photography is an important part of the day for many of the couples who come to church to celebrate their wedding.
‘Good early communication between the couple, the officiant and the photographer can help to ensure that expectations are aligned, and we advise that couples discuss these matters in advance with their church, so they know what to expect.
‘We want to reassure couples that they don’t have to be churchgoers to have a church wedding, they don’t need to be christened, and we welcome couples who already have children. Just ask to find out what’s possible.’
A spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said: ‘A wedding is a joyous occasion when the bride and groom make a lifelong commitment to each other in front of God and in the presence of family and friends. In the Catholic Church marriage is a very important sacrament.
‘A priest would always seek to work with photographers and videographers to ensure that these beautiful memories are captured, whilst at the same time the reverence of the occasion is appropriately respected and observed.’