Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Fireball · **Safety issue -** 09-11-2010, 08:36 PM

To all you women photographers out there, what do you do when a call comes in to go to a location when it's a man only? I'm a location photographer and have gotten a call to take pics of a man's pet but I'm not feeling comfortable meeting him just anywhere (like his home). Should I just always insist on meeting in a public place even though most people want pics of their pet in their comfortable environment like their home? I've only done a few shoots at someone's home, but it's always been more than one person.

Lane123 · 09-11-2010, 08:58 PM

Charrie, I think I would either push toward a more public place and take someone with you as an assistant and if the client was still insistant about shooting at their home, do you have a spouse, bf, male friend that might be able to accompany you as an assistant? I would think the bottom line here would be your comfort level and if you don't feel safe - don't do it! This is a tricky one. I wish you the best!

Fireball · 09-11-2010, 09:05 PM

I usually take my 15-y-o daughter as my asst. but that's not any better. I'm just going to insist on going to a park or something. I'm just not sure how to tell him I don't go to a single man's home. My husband will NOT go with me.

jaiprince · 09-11-2010, 09:55 PM

I would suggest letting him know flat out that, as a matter of personal safety, you only do in-home sessions for a) repeat past clients or b) for those who are referred to you by a past client. That should be understandable. If, on the other hand, you do decide to go to his place, or anyone's place you do not know (even if there are two people) just be sure that if your husband won't go with you, that he (or someone) has the exact address of where you are going as well as the client's name and contact information. I would also suggest that you call your husband when you arrive and, in the presence of your client, reiterate the address and give him an estimate of when you should be wrapping up and let them know you will call them then (I used to be a real estate agent and I would meet random people at vacant properties all the time and, if my husband wasn't able to go with me, this is one of the things I would do to help ensure my own safety). It may seem excessive but there are crazies out there. And, unless your client is one of them, he should totally understand and appreciate you taking these measures to be sure you are safe...