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  • More than 800 have signed a petition to address behaviour of church leaders



Images of that first special first kiss are treasured by couples.

But wedding photographers say it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the ‘aggressive, rude and humiliating’ behaviour of members of the clergy.

Now more than 800 have signed a petition calling for church leaders to be more considerate.

It comes after one photographer told how a vicar threatened to kick her while another said one put his hand in front of the bride’s face so she couldn’t be photographed.

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.

Wedding photographers say it is becoming almost impossible to take pictures inside churches due to the ¿aggressive, rude and humiliating¿ behaviour of members of the clergy

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, 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, with some ministers being openly hostile towards them.

She 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 told the Daily Mail she felt many church leaders were ‘stuck in the past’ and that those who embraced photography and social media had waiting lists for weddings.

She said she hoped to make a ‘positive change’ adding: ‘Ultimately, we all want the same thing which is to deliver lovely results for the couple’.

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.

Couples are increasingly choosing not to wed in church while photographers were avoiding taking work in churches because of the problems they face

Mrs Roberts said she wasn’t ‘church bashing’ but wanted an ‘open conversation for the sake of our couples.

‘We live in a digital age now and couples do want loads of coverage of their gorgeous ceremonies and we can work with priests and vicars to do this without being intrusive,’ she added.

Among her supporters was one photographer who said she was grabbed by the arm, dragged backward down the aisle, and told to stand outside by a member of the clergy. Others told how they had been abused by church wardens and organists.

Anesta Broad told how she was ‘pushed off an alter by a priest growling at me to stay out of his way’.

‘I was visibly pregnant and this was in front of the whole congregation before the ceremony had even started,’ she said adding: ‘verbal and physical aggression from church wardens and priests happens far too often and is unacceptable’.

Another photographer revealed: ‘The vicar deliberately put her hand in front of the bride’s face whilst they entered the church and walked up the aisle, to prevent me from taking any photographs of her.’ 

Photographer Hannah Walker said she was told by a vicar in Norfolk that he would kick her and stop the ceremony, if she didn’t adhere to his strict rules.

The Church of England said it has worked with professional photographers to produce guidance for couples

One photographer shared a contract online from a church in Penn, Wolverhampton, which said the photographer must stay at the back of the church for the ceremony and could only take one picture during the hymn. 

It said that if the photographer ‘does not comply the wedding service will be stopped and they will be forbidden from ever taking photographs in the church again’.

The Reverend Andrew Roberts, who is the Lincoln diocesan lead for weddings, said parties should work together. ‘I will always say to a wedding couple before the wedding for the photographer to come and have a chat with me, so we know the page we are on,’ he said.

The Church of England said it has worked with professional photographers to produce guidance for couples.

A spokesman said: ‘Photography is an important part of the day…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.’

The Catholic Church was also approached for comment.



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