A wedding photographer has gone viral after sharing the one thing she wishes more couples thought about before their big day – and let’s just say, the internet has some thoughts.
Chelsea McFolling, 33, has been a photographer for over five years and she’s captured countless weddings. Unfortunately, she told Newsweek that “at least a couple times a year” she works for couples who don’t offer seating, a table, or food to their vendors at any point.
Indeed, it happened to McFolling, of Ohio, while she was working at a wedding in October. She shared a video on TikTok (@chelseamcfolling) showing how she had to eat on some steps outside the venue, with a small plate of food she “convinced the caterer to give” her because she didn’t have anything else.
Since the clip was shared on October 12, it’s gone viral with over 1.1 million views and more than 41,700 likes at the time of writing.
McFolling finds it frustrating when couples don’t consider the needs of their vendors, especially as the photographer can work up to 12 hours.
“Vendors who are working over five hours should be provided with either an adequate break time or a vendor meal,” McFolling said. “A meal in the room would be the best option so that clients can ensure their photographer is in the room, ready to shoot at any moment.
She continued: “In some scenarios, I shoot low budget weddings where seating is limited, and I understand why it may be difficult to arrange extra seating or meals. But I am typically the vendor working the longest hours, so it should be understandable to consider that I may need a break to eat, or a seat and a plate after shooting 10-12 hours.”
McFolling states in her contract that she and her second shooter require a seat in the room and a meal during dinner. She also requests to eat first, which “really upsets guests,” but it’s so she can finish eating before the toasts or any other significant moments happen.
“When we are the last to be served as vendors, that just extends the time we need to finish our meal and risks me missing the big moments that come next,” she said.
Of course, having worked at so many weddings, McFolling has had her share of negative experiences with guests who disagree with her taking a break. It’s rarely ever the happy couples who make any sort of comment, but more likely their family members who “assume entitlement.”
McFolling said: “I worked a wedding and there was no table, foyer or seats in the entire building, and it was one large room. So, my second shooter and I grabbed a plate of small pretzels and a roll just to refuel quickly, and we sat in the corner on the floor. As soon as we sat down, the mother of the bride said we were in the way (there were no people near us) and we needed to hurry up. She reminded us that she paid good money for us to be there and we needed to work.”
People often ask McFolling why she can’t just pack her own lunch and eat it on the go. However, she explained to Newsweek that there’s “a lack of storage options,” and sometimes the weather conditions can reach up to 100 degrees. She does pack snacks in her camera bag, but it’s not always easy to find the time to stop and eat them.
After sharing why she thinks vendors should be given food and a break at weddings, her post went viral online. Many internet users criticized her and insisted it’s down to McFolling to bring her own food to work. But others agreed with the photographer and backed her for taking a stand.
McFolling said: “I was happy to see how many people rallied together to say that feeding vendors is a basic kindness. Especially when that person is responsible for capturing all the best moments of your wedding day.
“Working weddings is one of the most physically and mentally taxing jobs I’ve had (and I’ve worked as a nurse, in retail, and service), so any requests we are making are small things that just make it a day we can offer our best. All of it is for the betterment of the clients,” she continued.
Social media users were quick to share their thoughts, leading to more than 1,800 comments on the TikTok post so far.
One comment reads: “Hey so most places of work, you have to bring your own lunch.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “It’s actually baffling that people don’t feed their photographer. I told mine have whatever! Even offered snacks earlier in the day when getting ready.”
While another person replied: “As a photographer expecting a vendor table is an absolutely crazy entitled take.”
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