Here in the UK, we don't exactly label it a sparkler exit, but just the sparkler photos! Its so normal not to do it at the very end and everyone gets involved.
Totally agree - I do not relish handing fire to drunk people! If you have a good DJ, get the dance floor hopping - no one even notices the bride and groom are missing for a few minutes!
When our team does a sparkler exit at the end of the night it is with all the guests but we do what you are calling a controlled exit as we have them run back and forth with dips and kisses getting photo and video. Not everyone does a sparkler exit but when we do it the couple takes multiple trips down the sparkler isle. But I like your idea of having less people and earlier in the night. Maybe something we could do after we pull them away for the nighttime shoot.
I so agree as a photographer I dread sparkler exits with the whole crowd. So many people get drunk and by that time the couple is exhausted and just wants to get out of there and they really miss out on better photo ops. I once met a photographer who had burn scars because a drunk wedding attendant was behind her and accidentally stabbed her in the shoulder blade with the sparkler. She left in an ambulance that night. 🫣 I’ll do anything to not have to cordinate with drunk people and their fire sticks lol😅
I never liked to have the DJ announce any photo opportunities I was trying to take. A few that I shot, the DJ announced that the bridal party and the newlyweds were needed outside for photos (Coordinator decided to have the DJ do it instead of helping me gather people quietly) and almost everyone decided to gather outside to "watch" and take photos of the bride and groom having photos taken. One time the bride's aunt decided to get in front of me to take a shot on her cell phone. The less that the guests know, the better IMO.
As a DJ, I don't actually hate the type of "exit" you're talking about here. I CANNOT stand when they want all of the wedding guests to go outside. It usually happens at the time of night when we're trying to get the dance floor built up. It moves everyone to an area where they can't hear the music and many of the older guests will say their goodbyes since they're already near their car. This seams like a good compromise especially if it's just the bridal party. I would recommend talking to the dj and telling them to NOT make an announcement about it even if someone asks them to and to also be aware that the couple and bridal party will be missing for about 10 minutes.
The people will be where the bride and groom are. If you can pull it off i guess go for it. I discuss this with all of my clients simply to educate them about choices and leave it to them to decide.
you can keep saying "controlled exit" all you want, but it's staged. From a photojournalism perspective it's not what happened organically, that is to say it's fake.
totally fine to think that... it is fake... but do some couples want a pretty epic fake exit shot in their album or a drunk and sweaty exit shot? I think some want a controlled exit and another want the real deal.
Awful idea … lame. Stop the party to create a fake exit. As a DJ it’s awful. Clients need to consider how important the dancing portion of the evening. Photogs leaving early rushing festivities is never a good idea. Clients please think about this choice.
@@BrentFerree wait. Did you watch the video? 🤣🤣🤣or just saw the thumbnail and decided to leave your two cents. Because if you watched it, you would know your comment doesn’t align with what I said. The party doesn’t stop. The festivities aren’t rushed. Literally none of what you said has anything to do with the video. If a DJ is awesome, the bridal party can slip out and do a controlled exit and the guests never know it even happened. I’ve done this for over a decade.
@@KatelynJames I watched the whole video and short. If you can pull it off quietly without disruption that's one thing vs announcing it. Guests are typically where the bride and groom are. It kills the momentum to fake the exit.
@@BrentFerree good point, I know it's hard to hear for those that are prideful. The sad truth is that we (photographers) love to do what is easiest for us without a second thought for the other vendors whose work we're directly impacting. Ask any photographer and they'll tell you - they actually believe photos (and therefore they) are the most important vendor at the wedding and everyone else should bend over backward to enable them. Pretty sad. Her scoffing response is the perfect evidence of that.
@@vapor4as a married couple, I’d want pictures of us looking fairly fresh, not super drunk and or sweaty because after all, wedding photos are the only lasting product from a wedding. Other vendors are important but honestly no one is going to remember the DJ or catering after 20 years. So yeah, the photographer is the most important vendor (videographer too).
The timing of this video is impeccable! I have a bride needing to trim time and a controlled exit would be perfect! Thank you!
Here in the UK, we don't exactly label it a sparkler exit, but just the sparkler photos! Its so normal not to do it at the very end and everyone gets involved.
Totally agree - I do not relish handing fire to drunk people! If you have a good DJ, get the dance floor hopping - no one even notices the bride and groom are missing for a few minutes!
You are awesome! I love your teaching style and tone. 🙌😆💯‼
Wow, such a brilliant idea and such a WIN! Love it! 🤯
When our team does a sparkler exit at the end of the night it is with all the guests but we do what you are calling a controlled exit as we have them run back and forth with dips and kisses getting photo and video. Not everyone does a sparkler exit but when we do it the couple takes multiple trips down the sparkler isle. But I like your idea of having less people and earlier in the night. Maybe something we could do after we pull them away for the nighttime shoot.
Great Video!!
Can you please do a video on how you set up your flashes for a sparkler shot? Thanks
Fantastic ideas and awesome advice. Thanks
I so agree as a photographer I dread sparkler exits with the whole crowd. So many people get drunk and by that time the couple is exhausted and just wants to get out of there and they really miss out on better photo ops. I once met a photographer who had burn scars because a drunk wedding attendant was behind her and accidentally stabbed her in the shoulder blade with the sparkler. She left in an ambulance that night. 🫣 I’ll do anything to not have to cordinate with drunk people and their fire sticks lol😅
This is a smart concept. Thank you for sharing it!
I never liked to have the DJ announce any photo opportunities I was trying to take. A few that I shot, the DJ announced that the bridal party and the newlyweds were needed outside for photos (Coordinator decided to have the DJ do it instead of helping me gather people quietly) and almost everyone decided to gather outside to "watch" and take photos of the bride and groom having photos taken. One time the bride's aunt decided to get in front of me to take a shot on her cell phone.
The less that the guests know, the better IMO.
As a DJ, I don't actually hate the type of "exit" you're talking about here. I CANNOT stand when they want all of the wedding guests to go outside. It usually happens at the time of night when we're trying to get the dance floor built up. It moves everyone to an area where they can't hear the music and many of the older guests will say their goodbyes since they're already near their car. This seams like a good compromise especially if it's just the bridal party. I would recommend talking to the dj and telling them to NOT make an announcement about it even if someone asks them to and to also be aware that the couple and bridal party will be missing for about 10 minutes.
The people will be where the bride and groom are. If you can pull it off i guess go for it. I discuss this with all of my clients simply to educate them about choices and leave it to them to decide.
Where is best place to purchase these sparklers…link?
you can keep saying "controlled exit" all you want, but it's staged. From a photojournalism perspective it's not what happened organically, that is to say it's fake.
totally fine to think that... it is fake... but do some couples want a pretty epic fake exit shot in their album or a drunk and sweaty exit shot? I think some want a controlled exit and another want the real deal.
im first !))
Awful idea … lame. Stop the party to create a fake exit. As a DJ it’s awful. Clients need to consider how important the dancing portion of the evening. Photogs leaving early rushing festivities is never a good idea. Clients please think about this choice.
@@BrentFerree wait. Did you watch the video? 🤣🤣🤣or just saw the thumbnail and decided to leave your two cents. Because if you watched it, you would know your comment doesn’t align with what I said. The party doesn’t stop. The festivities aren’t rushed. Literally none of what you said has anything to do with the video. If a DJ is awesome, the bridal party can slip out and do a controlled exit and the guests never know it even happened. I’ve done this for over a decade.
@@KatelynJames I watched the whole video and short. If you can pull it off quietly without disruption that's one thing vs announcing it. Guests are typically where the bride and groom are. It kills the momentum to fake the exit.
@@BrentFerree good point, I know it's hard to hear for those that are prideful. The sad truth is that we (photographers) love to do what is easiest for us without a second thought for the other vendors whose work we're directly impacting. Ask any photographer and they'll tell you - they actually believe photos (and therefore they) are the most important vendor at the wedding and everyone else should bend over backward to enable them. Pretty sad. Her scoffing response is the perfect evidence of that.
@KatelynJames why only bridal party in the exit photo? BTW we all heard that you are anti lgbtqui community and even people of color.
@@vapor4as a married couple, I’d want pictures of us looking fairly fresh, not super drunk and or sweaty because after all, wedding photos are the only lasting product from a wedding. Other vendors are important but honestly no one is going to remember the DJ or catering after 20 years. So yeah, the photographer is the most important vendor (videographer too).