Handling clients who are taking photos with their cameras while you are taking photos

11 years 9 months ago #241538 by Happy Snapper
Well here's a first and boy was this hard on my nerves and patience. I had a 54 person family that I had to photograph this past weekend for their family reunion. Most of the entire shoot went very well except when it came time to take photos of the families within the family. I would get everyone where I needed them to be, between my shots other family members would take my subjects attention to snap off some shots with their camera phones and point & shoot cameras. I asked a numerous times to keep where you are and welcomed other family members to take photos when I was finished. But some just didn't listen. What should have taken 30 minutes got stretched out to 90 minutes.

So how are you handling situations like this? Do you become a hard a$$ or with a smile on your face lay down the rules. It would seem the later option just doesn't work. Thoughts?

Gripped Nikon D810 --- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 --- Sigma 10-20mm f/4 --- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 --- SB600
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11 years 9 months ago #241606 by Henry Peach
I discuss this with the clients ahead of time. I explain that additional photographers are a distraction and besides causing the shoot to take a lot longer, it will result in inferior portraits. I also always have clearly stated additional charges if the shoot takes longer than we planned for. Money is a great cooperation motivator.

I also assume there will be trouble with large groups, and do my best to plan accordingly. They may want a 30 min session, but since I know it's likely to take 2 hours that's the price estimate I give them. Instead of everyone in one place at one time, maybe it needs to be broken up somehow? Maybe take your subjects away from the crowd?

I always keep a smile on my face, but I will not struggle with uncooperative subjects. If they absolutely won't listen to me then I cannot do my job. This is stated clearly in my contract. When the paying client sees the paid photographer standing there, and the additional fees are racking up, it usually inspires them to help out.
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