Shooting on locations problems -- part 2

The problem of people...

While weather and lighting pose problems while shooting on location, people pose a completely different people. Recently, I was shooting at a park next to a local high school. Presumably, a family was a few minutes early and the parents waited with the child in the car. They parked and watched our photo shoot for 10 minutes, and while they did nothing wrong it was a little unnerving. There are worse things that can happen during a shoot.

Interference into the shoot. This can come from passerbys or just concerned citizens that there might be something awry, even though you are not doing anything wrong. At best, this can waste a little time explaining the situation, and at worst a nightmare because of the hassles good intentioned people can cause. One type of good intentioned person who can cause nightmares is the police. Shooting different types of photography in public can attract the attention of the police. While I personally have not had the police even ask me what I am doing, other photographers I know have had the police ask them what is happening. My friends said they were polite, and the police were polite in response.

If confronted, there are some things to keep in mind. 1. Be polite. No matter who approaches you during a shoot being polite will get you a long way. If you are rude, impolite, or look like you are hiding something, it will only be cause for concern. 2. Always act professionally. If for some reason someone asks you to leave and you are on public land don't argue. This will not only look bad to the person who asked you to leave, but to your model as well. You can always reschedule for another time, or you can try to do the shoot somewhere else. Remember acting professionally is also performing public relations for you.

Problems can be out of the control of the photographer when shooting on location. But if the photographer keeps his cool, is polite, and acts professionally, he should put himself in a position to shoot another day.

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