I try to walk through the showroom on a busy Saturday afternoon and find myself dodging cameras and camera phones from every angle. Sometimes I feel like I’m playing a video game trying not to get hit. It has been a challenge for me to accept the amount of photography that takes place today compared with that of 8 (even 5) years ago. When I see someone clicking, my stomach fills with concern that the bride in the background is going to get caught in the shot and somehow be portrayed somewhere across the world wide web. It is not illogical to think in these terms. I wonder if she will mind. Most of our staff has experienced unsolicited displays somewhere online. The thinking that I needed to change is that most people are not as concerned about this as I am. I have enlisted so much apprehension over this matter but realize that I may actually be standing alone in this belief. Photo’s and information are everywhere. To help me understand the idea a little bit better, I have equated picture taking prior to the wedding with finding out the sex of the child before the birth. So many people do it. (Except for me. I did not want to know the sex of any of my four children. I loved finding out in the moment!) But if the trend has become photographing (or finding out the sex of your child, for that matter) then I respect that. And if there are still a few people out there whom want to preserve the traditions of the “dark ages” then I respect that too. So now, when the flashes are happening in our showroom, I try and compound my personal instincts and address our patrons as politely as possible. “Feel free to take as many pictures as you wish. Please try to contain these photos to the privacy of your fitting room, however, just in case the bride behind you does not wish to be in your photograph.” This way, if there is someone trying on dresses who may think like me… she is respected. As well, the 21st century bride is also respected and can satisfy whatever reasons she has for pre-wedding pix.
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