Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // Why I Don’t Want a Seat at Your Wedding Reception Table (And I Swear It’s Not Personal)
Alright, let’s just get this out of the way:
If you’re planning your wedding and looking at your seating chart thinking, “Where do we put the photographer?” — don’t stress. Please don’t wedge me in at table 12 with your Uncle Gary and your cousin’s new boyfriend Chad. I promise I’m not mad about it. In fact, I prefer it that way.
Let me explain.
It’s Not That I Don’t Like People…
Okay, fine. Sometimes I don’t like people — but that’s not the reason. I genuinely love being part of your day. I adore getting to know your friends and fam, hearing your grandma’s wild stories, and watching your bridal party attempt the Cupid Shuffle after a few too many cocktails. But when it’s dinner time, I go into hyper-vigilant, hawk-eyed, camera-clutching mode.
I need to be in a spot where I can keep one eyeball on the band/DJ and the other on the couple. Because there is nothing worse than hearing, “And now we’re going to kick things off with some toasts…” and I’m halfway through a bite of cold chicken marsala in a room I wasn’t even told to go in.
Cue the panic sprint. Not cute.
Why I Skip the Guest Table
I’m Not Off the Clock – While everyone’s settling into dinner, I’m still on. This is my reset time: I’m backing up memory cards, swapping batteries, making sure my lights are good for the next part of the night. Being seated like a guest kind of implies I’m off duty, and let’s be real, I never am.
It’s Awkward For Everyone – Your guests are trying to enjoy their meal and vibe, and I’m over here talking to my second shooter about lens choices and flash power. It’s like seating Batman at brunch. Just let me do my thing in the shadows.
I Like the Lurker Life – I find myself a little out-of-the-way spot—near the DJ, the planner, or somewhere I’ve got eyes on the action. I eat fast. I keep an ear out. And I’m back in the mix the second someone clinks a glass or grabs a mic.
Bottom line: You don’t need to find me a seat at a guest table. I will find my own little perch, keep an eye on what’s happening, and be exactly where I need to be at the right time. I’m not ignoring your hospitality — I’m making sure I don’t miss a second of your badass wedding day.
So if you see me eating dinner behind a speaker with one leg up like some kind of photography goblin… just know, I’m living my best life. And making sure I’m ready the moment your dad grabs the mic and says, “I’m not crying, you are.”
Need help planning your wedding timeline so your photographer (hi, it’s me) doesn’t have to wolf down salad like they’re being timed? Let’s talk.
