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Working at ‘family’ events
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I’ve been asked to photograph a public event next Sunday afternoon and sent off a quote (fingers crossed!). The job is for the event organizer/promoter.
It is the ‘Picnic In The Park’ in Fitzgerald Park, the city’s annual ‘family fun day out’ for those in the Cork area who might be familiar with it. Part of the brief includes photographing ‘family’ and ‘kids’ , which is on my radar as a concern given the amount of media coverage lurking undesirables get.
Does anyone have insights or advice on approaching this; any particular attitude or practice to help the photographer, subjects and authorities ease their conscience a bit?
I’m usually discrete, polite and read signals (when I get the ‘no you don’t’ stare then I lower the camera and acknowledge) and think that I’ve gained the ‘photographer at work look’ (i.e. busy about my business rather than a guy trying his luck). Not sure if I’ll be issued with a tag/pass of any kind, to wave in people’s faces.
Any suggestions, tips, insights appreciated.
Hope the forecast is lots of sun! :D
Personally when I cover such an event I just shoot as I please. If its in a public area then I dont see a problem. I am a professional photographer and I treat anyone passing in front of my lens as fair game. Anyone who thinks I have other motives only have to ask what I’m doing. I was recently asked by a teacher who had a class out for a field trip why I was photographing the event (I was commissioned to cover it). She explained to me that some of the children’s religion did not permit the taking of their photographs. I told her that there was little I could do as these children did not stand out from the rest and that while they were in a public place anyones photograph can be taken, furthermore I was commisioned to cover the event and was within my rights. I would do my best not to be “obvious” but I did not know who not to photograph so it would be not easy to avoid certain 8 – 12 year olds that ran about playing. I, jokingly, (sort of !) told her not to worry about the photographer she could see …….. but worry about who might be lurking in the trees with long lens and bent minds and that the world would be a better place if people kept their religion to themselves.
Out of all of the people at the venue (16 teachers and 16 classes) she was the only one who flexed her authority but she skulked off about her business and I heard no more.
Even doing Weddings I do NOT approach the priest beforehand. If he does not like that then he has a problem. I am doing a job the same as he is and we have to work together as have all other vendors on the day. Its that simple. If he verbally abuses me or touches me in any way I’ll be banging on his Bishops door that evening.
Now dont get me wrong……….I am always respectful and unobtrusive and will never cause any bother. I am one of the more popular photographers among the Clergy but I will not btake any crap from anyone when I’m doing a job.
I have done similair sorts of events for local papers a few times and I made a point of never photographing a group of kids without their parents nodding agreement.
I cant think of a single time when a parent didn’t want their kid photographed – though a good few where the parents stepped back and didnt want to be in the shot. If your doing this one for the event organizer you might want to get hold of a stewards badge or something similair.
GCP wrote:
I was recently asked by a teacher who had a class out for a field trip why I was photographing the event (I was commissioned to cover it). She explained to me that some of the children’s religion did not permit the taking of their photographs. I told her that there was little I could do as these children did not stand out from the rest and that while they were in a public place anyones photograph can be taken, furthermore I was commisioned to cover the event and was within my rights.
Good point Gerry. People’s perceived morals and a sound guy just going about his job, and within his legal rights to do so. As I may get repeat work (all being well) I’ll need to work out my own stance on this. At the end of the day if there is a strong objection then best leave well alone and move on to a more cooperative subject me thinks.
gerardk wrote:
If your doing this one for the event organizer you might want to get hold of a stewards badge or something similair.
At the moment I’m waiting for the green light :wink: and will certainly be asking about that sort of thing. It’ll at least help in the eyes of security or whoever is oveseeing it. Might be worth investing in a vest stamped with ‘foto’ or something, though it might be out of place & too overt for something like this. But then anyone can get one of those made up. Better get a badge/pass instead.
I’ve also done alot of press work in cork and taken lots of pics in the parks around city and I found it’s always best to approach parents first and tell them that its all official and above board. 99% will be delighted to oblige and will probably start asking for copies. If you take shots that catch your eye and don’t give you time to seek permission first, approach adults afterwards, they always appreciate the fact you told them.
more importantly enjoy it, and have fun.Dodo
Lots of good advice there lads – thanks. Didn’t get the job (I expect I quoted too high for their budget) but might go along with camera in hand all the same (and tease them with those killer shots they can’t have :lol: ). Roll on the next event job!
stasber wrote:
Lots of good advice there lads – thanks. Didn’t get the job (I expect I quoted too high for their budget)
I was quoting for jobe for many years and not getting them also. I found out in the end I was quoting too cheap and was losing them as a result. It was only when I asked another Photographer to price a job as if he were doing it and I sent on his “enormously high quote” that I got the job and using his “fomula” I have been very succcessful since.
If you quote too cheap they tend to think you dont know what your doing ………. Just a thought !
GCP wrote:
I was quoting for jobe for many years and not getting them also. I found out in the end I was quoting too cheap and was losing them as a result. It was only when I asked another Photographer to price a job as if he were doing it and I sent on his “enormously high quote” that I got the job and using his “fomula” I have been very succcessful since.
If you quote too cheap they tend to think you don’t know what your doing ………. Just a thought !
Yes I know what you mean Gerry about pricing yourself too cheap; plus afraid of setting a precedent so that people come to expect a job on the cheap.
But twas all considered – I scoured previous threads here (and noted some of your informative and useful posts – including the beer mat anecdote – good story!), checked freelance rates and asked for opinions. My first suggested quote was way too low so I re-evaluated before sending the proposal. The response was:
“I’m afraid we don’t have the money for that- another time- I know its a lot of work and its a reasonable rate…”
So I said, OK let’s talk and he came back with:
“they have gone ahead with someone else- not sure who….another time- when i can actually pay you what you’re at least worth”
I also consider the rate as being “reasonable” especially as this is not my main source of income, so it would be lower than a full time professional, though I’m confident of supplying images of the type and quality required per the brief. The person in question likes my work which is why he offered it to me initially.
Ho hum,not this time!
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