Restaurant Opening

[sfdgs]

I am hired to shoot the opening of a national chain restaurant in my town and

am a little unsure of what to expect. The images will be posted on their

website, magazine, and on the restaurant walls. Before they open, I will

photograph the waitresses, bartenders, and kitchen staff, which is no problem

as I've done that before. They would like me to photograph customers as they

are eating, which is my concern. At wedding receptions, I don't shoot while

people are eating, but now it is expected. Should I just approach tables and

make my presence known or should I use the stealth approach and hope no one is

offended? I know how people look when they are eating and I don't want to make

anyone look bad. TIA---Jason

[james d.]

Being an opening it will be festive and people will be more relaxed so photos should be easy.

You don't need shots of them with their faces stuffed, just of them having fun and enjoying

the place.

Do a few group photos first and then chit chat with the customers telling them how nice the

place is and that you were hired to photograph their wonderful guests... then you can go for

any close ups you need. Smile and say thank you.

[jan shim]

Jason,

 

Propose them an alternative idea to promote their establishment like I have done with a client recently. I dont think it's a good idea taking pictures of patrons eating. Consider the liability side of things, you are taking photos of people eating and likely without their permission. I'm sure no matter how you do it, their faces will be visible and possibly in an embarassing pose with their food.

 

http://shimworld.wordpress.com/2007/06/04/vintage-rose-an-art-in-fine-dining/

 

You may want use volunteers posing as restaurant patrons for a professional look. The images you see with someone reading a newspaper are all staged to achieve the effect. Stealth isn't going to work, you're are going to get caught and when patrons discover this they may not want to dine there again.

[stephen dohring]

sitting in front of food with a big smile is still eating. Chewing and shoving food in their mouths is different.

[warrenlewis]

Guests are there to eat, not to be models. We do all of our shoots when we are not open to the public.