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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Political Protocol
Gary Slickman, Photographer
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Medfield | MA | United States | Posted: 7:40 AM on 05.13.11 |
->> My role as a sports photographer connected me to an athlete’s dad who is the CEO of a mid sized company. I have covered a few everyday type assignments, however now I have the assignment to photograph the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new headquarters which will be attended by major politicians of my state, with a possibility that the Governor will attend.
I would like some pointers on the proper procedure and protocol for photographing events of this nature. Is there usually a point person who will coordinate with me, do I need permission, how directive can I be in making sure that I get the coverage I need and the attention of the politicians so that I have their sight lines? Will access be restricted? Is it proper to ask for posed casual shots or do I have to be the proverbial fly on the wall with a camera?
The politicians are sure to have their own official photographers which is also a concern. Do they generally cooperate with the outsiders like myself or will I have to be somewhat assertive.
I realize there may not be a universal answer but I suspect that certain etiquette is required and expected.
I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences on this, thanks in advance for your feedback. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 10:28 AM on 05.13.11 |
->> In my limited experience in covering events like this, I think you are over-worrying things and you'll have few issues to worry about at the event.
First of all are you covering this as a newspaper assignment, or to document the event for your CEO acquaintance? I am assuming the former here... the answers could differ slightly in the latter case.
Arrive early and pick a good spot to cover the ribbon-cutting. Events like this are staged almost exclusively for the press so most things will probably be pre-planned for you. The corporate and political handlers will spot you as soon as you show up with your gear so you probably won't have to go looking for anyone. The handlers will probably tell you the best places to stand (generally away from the general public) and what the schedule of events will be.
Find out from your editor what other shots besides the ribbon cutting he/she would like you to get (also see Stanley Leary's recent thread about making a shot list). Be prepared to get photos with the politicians shaking hands with the local executives and employees, touring the place, etc. Many politicians will pose for you as soon as they see a camera pointed in their direction so you might have to work to get candid shots.
Cover the event like you would any other news assignment. Even when I cover events with statewide officials my access has been pretty unrestricted... security is always nearby but not obtrusive. Ask the security guys if it's OK to go into areas where the general public isn't allowed (e.g. down a certain hallway, or behind a rope) and they'll probably allow you through. Your acquaintance with the CEO might get you access to events/areas the other media don't have, but there are some ethical considerations to weigh in cases like that.
Follow the leads of the other media there... the politicians' photographers will probably take a few snapshots but won't be in your way enough to worry about. If they are videotaping the event though, try to stay out of their field of view.
You'll probably have to worry more about your gear (making sure you didn't forget anything and the batteries are charged) and getting names/titles correct for the cutlines than anything else. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 11:32 AM on 05.13.11 |
->> Depending on who the politicians are, that is, if they are up for election, we never include them in the photos. During opening day of Little League here, the mayor was there throwing out the first pitch. He is running for reelection. I talked and joked with him during our usual chit-chat, but made no images of the mayor. We want to be as impartial as humanly possible.
And, we never publish the actual ribbon cutting, which is to say, we don't publish a pic of someone using scissors to cut the ribbon. We try to make an image that is representative of the event or business and include the local folks, not the politicians. |
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Richard Uhlhorn, Photographer
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Chelan Falls | WA | USA | Posted: 12:39 PM on 05.13.11 |
->> Since you are not associated with a newspaper, I'm thinking you have probably been asked to cover this event for public relation purposes of the company.
First and foremost, charge accordingly for your time.
Keep copyright ownership to the images.
Find out what the final usage rights you will be giving up for the client.
Find out from the client (point person) if there is any protocol regarding security checks.
Photograph the politicisns... full body shots, head shots and anything else you can shoot.
Shoot, Shoot, Shoot.
Take a nice stand-alone image of the building and a time during the day when the lighting is good.
Good Luck |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 4:56 PM on 05.13.11 |
->> Dress appropriately. When you address a politician - if you know his position, it's wise to address him by the title of his highest elected position.
It's not Mr. Jones, it's Mayor Jones. It's Congressman Jones not Mr. Jones. If he was a Senator and is now a congressman, you should still address him as Senator Jones.
Avoid the temptation to say "Hey dickwad, could you move a little to the right?"
Michael |
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Doug Pizac, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | USA | Posted: 11:15 PM on 05.13.11 |
->> Since you are shooting for the company whose headquarters are being ribbon cut, you are the top dog above the other photographers who may accompany the politicians. Maintain your status; don't give in to the others as they are secondary. You are there for the company's event and without it, they wouldn't be there.
To establish your power, get in touch with the company's PR person to find out exactly what the intinerary is. That way you can be in the right place at the right time. And if the other photograhers miss the shot, then their bosses can get the images from you. Be sure to seek out the other shooters as they arrive, introduce yourself as being in charge, give them a copy of the intinerary and tell them if they need a special shot to come to you and you'll arrange it. This will immediately make them subservient to you.
Are you being hired by the company (ie WFH), or do you get to keep full ownership/copyright to your images? If hired outright, the company can give away your images to the politicians and others without compensation to you. If you're in ownership, then you have control. Either way, you have to have this understanding in writing. One tactic you can use that works is tell the CEO that by you maintaining ownership/copyright, they can be assured that you'll be protecting their rights as well as yours and it won't cost them a dime extra. Companies like that. And tell the CEO that if any politician wants to use his/her image as part of the campaign, you'll be checking with him for his okay because you don't want to put the CEO in an awkward position. This shows you are thinking about him in a proactive and protective manner. While you may lose a sale if the CEO doesn't want an image licensed, you will gain great favor for future jobs. Remember, companies have money to spend; politicians don't since their main focus is to get as much as possible for free.
As to the event itself, get there early with the list of who is who and who should be in which pictures. Shoot plenty, but be sure to have the company top execs by themselves in some shots because they will stay while the politicians will be eventually elected out of office which makes those photos dated and worthless. And for the group shot, try and get the execs shoulder to shoulder with the politicians on the ends. That way they can be cropped out.
And be sure to shoot verticals that can be used as cover shots for annual reports, company newsletters, etc.
Also, if the local newspaper(s) don't show, offer your services to distribute a couple photos to them as handouts. Once again, you're thinking of the company's needs. Just be sure that when you do handouts that they are distributed for one time use to accompany the ribbon cutting event. That way you maintain reuse licensing later should the CEO or another pictured is indicted for something.
And don't forget the TV stations that don't show up. Get the okay from the company to feed them too. But when you do, don't send them high-res 300 dpi images; 72 dpi at 10" on the long horizontal side is all they need for on air and their website. If they want higher resolution ask why. They may have another use in mind that could bring you some licensing money. |
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Gary Slickman, Photographer
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Medfield | MA | United States | Posted: 6:40 AM on 05.14.11 |
->> Thank you fellow photographers for all of the great insight and suggestions about covering this typle of assignment. I found valuable knowledge and tips from everyone one of them. Its a nice blend of sharing, mentoring and camaraderie.
I think I am far better equipped to be prepared, proactive, professional and forward thinking, while exhibiting proper protocol; as well as being in a poisition to leverage and protect the value of my work.
In my opinion, this type of exhange of ideas, experience and guideance helps those open to it elevate their game, which I firmly believe enhances the reputation of our industry as a whole.
Thanks again. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 11:21 AM on 05.14.11 |
->> I echo what most of the others say - except to clarify something that Doug said. Being "hired by the company" does not automatically make your work a "work for hire." Whether they are paying you or not, photographs are not generally considered "work for hire" unless you are actually an employee of the company (i.e., this is your full-time job, not a freelance assignment) - unless specified in writing in your freelance agreement.
That being said - he is right on about you being the top dog. Don't be afraid to (politely) orchestrate the ribbon-cutting (or have the company's PR person do it). The politicians will usually be most agreeable to any direction that will help produce a better photo - that's the main reason they are there.
What Curtis says about orchestration is also good, that there is likely someone in charge who will give you the rundown - but again, don't be afraid to interject with your own suggestions if the powers-that-be have set the ribbon cutting up in a way that makes for a bad photo.
I do quite a few of these events in my "day" job, simultaneously as photographer and media relations guy. Here are some shots from a recent one - as others have pointed out, the ribbon cutting is usually the "money shot" as far as the company is concerned but there are many others shots to be had:
https://picasaweb.google.com/NationalCollegeCommunications/20100922SBDGrand...# |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 7:46 AM on 05.16.11 |
->> Doug Pizac wrote the following:
“…you are the top dog above the other photographers”
&
“To establish your power…”
&
“Be sure to seek out the other shooters as they arrive, introduce yourself as being in charge, give them a copy of the itinerary and tell them if they need a special shot to come to you and you'll arrange it. This will immediately make them subservient to you.”
Yeah, because as a newspaper or wire photojournalist, the only thing better than being assigned to shoot a ribbon cutting at a “medium sized company” is showing up to that ribbon cutting and being “handled” by not only the PR flacks but also some hired photographer trying to be king for a day.
Doug, most of your advice was great man. The advice about maintaining your rights, getting the politicians on the outside so as to be cropped out later or as needed (I never thought of this and it’s good advice) showing up early, getting a list of names, shooting verticals… all great advice, and frankly up until I read this advice I actually thought your post was intended to be “funny”.
Gary: Here’s the deal man, no photojournalist on the planet wakes up in the morning hoping to check their assignments for the day and find a ribbon cutting in their inbox. They certainly don’t want to cover a ribbon cutting and have to deal with controlling PR people and photographers trying, for no particular reason at all, to establish their “alpha” status. They CERTAINLY don’t want to have to come to YOU to have YOU “arrange” their photo for them.
Most photojournalists who draw the short straw and have to cover a ribbon cutting (any ribbon cutting) will be looking to do one of two things:
1) They’ll want to get there early and find a creative, story-telling, candid image that does not involve a giant pair of scissors or a politician.
or
2) If they do intend to shoot the giant scissors photo they want to spend as little time as possible at this event so they want to show up as close to the scissor drop as possible.
So, the way you can be most helpful to the other photographers who may show up is this:
1) Don’t try to control every facet of the event. Let candid moments happen and (since you’re not acting in the roll of a photojournalist) you might even quietly nudge the CEO and the governor to take a stroll through the factory floor together before the big scissors come out or sit on the front steps and chat while eating bad shrimp or anything else that might make a more interesting photo than the big scissors photo.
2) Make sure that the person who writes and sends the press release out to the media notes exactly what time the big scissors are going to cut the ribbon and then make certain that it happens EXACTLY at that time. This way, the shooters who are being forced to come back with that photo know when it’ll happen and may not have to sit through 7 welcome speeches, a slide show and a song by the middle school chorus.
3) Have the names and titles of everyone who may be in the big scissors photo printed out on a sheet of paper that you can hand the news shooters. Also, include any information that they’d need to write their cutlines.
4) Invite them to help themselves to bad shrimp and bottles of water and that ***IF*** they should need you for anything then you’ll be around.
Do these 4 things (as well as some of the things Doug said) and you’ll be much more appreciated and respected by the other shooters who show up… and by extension you’ll be better serving your client. Also, remember that while this assignment is one payday by this company, that any bad taste you leave by being a control freak with the other shooters might cost you more in the end… let’s say you want to start stringing at the various local papers, wires or mags that show up… you don’t want those shooters remembering you as the PRzilla from the ribbon cutting.
Gary, good luck, have fun, be friendly and don’t stress about it… and PLEASE don’t try to “handle” any journalist or establish dominance… it’s a ribbon cutting man, just a ribbon cutting... it's pretty a pretty low stress commercial pay day.
**Oh, and Doug, no disrespect intended man. I know you were just trying to let him know not to let anyone push him around but I thought I'd try to counter some advice that I thought some might misinterpret. |
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Doug Pizac, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | USA | Posted: 11:11 AM on 05.16.11 |
->> Yes, being hired as the company photographer does not automatically mean it is a WFH. But it will be interpreted that way by the company unless spelled out in writing. Default reasoning among business people is that being hired means ownership too -- the opposite of norm photo practices. Thus the need to clarify.
TO BRIAN........
You are comparing apples to oranges. This is a commercial job where other photographers (political) who show up are essentially commerical/PR too. My advice to be top dog is necessary to maintain control and insure what the company wants gets done. It was never meant to be over photojournalists who beat to a different drummer. I didn't go that route because this event is something that may not even be covered by the local paper. And if they do show up, my advice for Gary is to have a list of correct name spellings of those involved. That's more valuable than any setups.
And yes, let candids evolve. Great shots can happen that is of worth to the papers as well as the company.
While I totally agree that being courteous and helpful is always mandatory, I absolutely disagree with your "it's a ribbon cutting man, just a ribbon cutting...." While that may be your belief and many/most newspaper photographers in general, in this instance the ribbon cutting is the money shot for the commercial photographer and it is certainly not low stress. The killer to these type photos is to have the subjects looking in different directions. Getting everyone focused to be looking at just the primary shooter's lens can be difficult and stressful because this is what the company and all those pictured want to be remembered for -- not just standing there, but looking good with everyone's eyes opened and smiling. And this is where being top dog comes into critical play. Gary needs to set up the shot as being charge so everyone is in proper position and then have them concentrate on him and only him FIRST.
And this doesn't happen just with commercial shoots. During March Madness at the end of the final early round games the winning team's photographer and official NCAA shooters become top dogs -- behind TV of course. And look at covering the president with the White House photographer up front and personal with all the other photographers getting the back of his head. There are top dogs everywhere.
If you act professional, courteous and helpful to the other photographers, they will understand that it is your job to do what you need to do. And as such, apples and oranges can share the same barrel.
AND TO STANLEY... one more bit of advice to help your job be easier. While everyone is mingling upon arrivals, introduce yourself to those being pictured telling them that you are the "official" photographer. Assure them that if they follow your directions (ie. look here), that they will look great. Playing to their egos and vanity will get them to cooperate and focus on just you for the money shots, and at the same time make things move more smoothly and faster because you won't have to shoot many photos hoping to get one good one. This technique works. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 11:31 AM on 05.16.11 |
->> Doug, I see your point, and I'm well aware of the roll of an "official" photographer. I do a lot of commercial work where I'm the "official photographer"... never does it involve "establishing dominance" or making "other photographers subservient"
I totally hear what you're trying to say, but I just think it came out in such a way that some might misunderstand your well-intentioned advice.
Also, these companies get really excited about having politicians and members of the media show up... and would hate to think that a hired photographer might act in such a way as to make them not feel 100% welcome... and perhaps not cover the next event (same goes for the photographers of the politicians).
Oh, and as far as my, "It's a ribbon cutting man, just a ribbon cutting" statement, I stand by that. It's no reason to get too stressed. We can do our jobs (as photojournalists or as "official photographers") without getting too stressed out. It wasn't meant to suggest that ribbon cuttings aren't important to the client, they certainly are... just that they don't require that anyone become a PRzilla.
-Brian |
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