Question about safety vs being rude?

A friend of a friend of a friend just referred a single father and his son to me for a portrait session.  I just spoke to the father who wants to hire me to take photos of him and his son at their home.  Apparently his son graduates this year from high school and is a big football player.  They have a sports room they want the photos taken in.  

My question is: would it be rude to show up with a guy assistant, just to be safe?  

Not rude at all. Your safety should always come first!

I wouldn't think twice about it.  You are going into their home and no offense to any men here, but those are two guys, you are one women.  Going in there with a male assistant isn't rude, that's smart.  

If you are uncomfortable about any situation, make sure you keep yourself safe

I really don't think they're going to be offended... why would they?!

What makes you think a "guy" assistant would be safe? .......

I do not know where you are from but here in MO we are allowed to carry conceal. Never leave home without it. As for your question, no it is not rude to bring a male assistant. I would bring one who also have a conceal carry and knows what he is doing.

Safety first, never last.
Have a future, not a past.
Izzie

+1 always protect yourself and be prepared.  

Always trust your inner voice about safety issues! Also, great idea to find a male assistant who loves football and can build a rapport with your clients while you concentrate on shooting.

I wouldn't think twice about it.  Bring the person along

     good post too

Some thoughts to share with the OP, and for the entertainment of others:

A) If you are at all unsure about this engagement, on any level, why haven't you declined it?

2) Since when would it be rude to have an assistant? Anyone with you is purportedly there primarily to work; anything beyond that is of no consequence to the customer.

C) Open carry? Seriously? That's just offensive. If I hired someone to come to my home and they showed up packing, I'd stop them at the door because I wouldn't trust them in my home. That would be the end of any business relationship.

D) You can't talk football? You need a man for that? I would find that offensive on any number of levels, perhaps more so than (C) above. One presumes you have the ability to build a rapport with your client. If you can't find some way to do that I daresay the session may not go very well. They may be superfans / jocks, but one hopes they are not one-dimensional.

You might want to rethink this entire situation. In any event, good luck.

Do you typically do photo sessions in clients' homes? I was wondering if this was a standard practice for you or not.

I've done work (not photography related) doing home visits which included the possibility of having a therapist from my team with me at the visit (depending on what services were being provided). Families were informed when they enrolled that a therapist, coordinator, or other staff person might participate in the visits. If there ever was a situation where a staff person felt uncomfortable or unsafe going alone, there was the option to ask a supervisor to go along or discuss options to be safe - most concerns would be related to safety in neighborhoods where there was frequent drug related activity etc. but there were times that it seemed better to not go alone for various reasons. 

I don't see a problem taking someone with you but would let the client know you'll be bringing an assistant (and have some things in mind for the person to do and actually assist in some way). If you're working freelance and going into clients' homes it seems like you're basically out there on your own so maybe this is a good time to think about if you're covered for a variety of situations you might encounter.


And no, I don't think going into someone's home carrying a weapon would be a good idea at all, especially a family or where there will be children present. I think Izzie if someone felt they needed that level of protection it would be better to not go at all and let the client find someone else.

And I couldn't talk football but I could talk hockey all day!

I agree with Gary that if a photographer does this type work it's going to involve being able to develop rapport with clients. I've done sports, but if a photographer isn't into doing sports-related photo sessions maybe think about whether to take on this type shoot or refer the family elsewhere.

Gary brings up some very good points (A and 2) here.