Odd client request

[USER876]

I was contacted today by a lawfirm to take studio pictures of scaring on a client as result of an auto injury for a lawsuit. I would have to take the images, give them rights, and then go to court an testify blah blah blah. I am thinking this isn't worth my time.... thoughts?

[Jimconnerphoto]

quote it so it is worth your time.
I would do it provided they paid my day rate for the court date and half day rate for the shoot.

[tim]

Do it, charge appropriately for your time. Make sure there's a contract specifying your rates, and that the minimum booking time is a half day or a day. You don't want to be out of pocket if you have to sit in the court and wait for 2 days, or only charge for 15 minutes if you're in and out.

[casp3r]

I did one of these many years ago and I was basically total to charge what I wanted because the cost would be recouped from the other party.

[tracknut]

Not that I've ever done this before, but I would be damn sure not to PP that image at all...

Dave

[Gizmo1137]

Yes as long as you are paid for your time, it is worth it.

[Curtis N]

I would be damn sure not to PP that image at all...
Even if you shoot JPEG, you still need to set the camera for white balance, contrast, saturation and sharpening, all of which could potentially make a scar look better or worse.

You could do a lot with lighting, too. Light it straight-on and overexpose a bit and you'll make a scar less noticeable. Hit it from the side and any imperfection in the skin creates a shadow and looks hideous.

It's hard to say how I would approach such a project.

[603media]

Even if you shoot JPEG, you still need to set the camera for white balance, contrast, saturation and sharpening, all of which could potentially make a scar look better or worse.

You could do a lot with lighting, too. Light it straight-on and overexpose a bit and you'll make a scar less noticeable. Hit it from the side and any imperfection in the skin creates a shadow and looks hideous.

It's hard to say how I would approach such a project.

I would approach it the same as any other client. You are the service provider, not the jury. You are being paid to deliver the photos the client wants. If the client wants the scars to jump out at you and say, "Here I am!", then that's what you deliver.

If you have moral objections to how the photos are to be used, then don't take the assignment - otherwise, legal photography can be a pretty good payday. ;)

[tim]

I'd probably supply photos that both maximise and minimise the scarring, let them make their choice.

[Mike R]

I'd probably supply photos that both maximise and minimise the scarring, let them make their choice.

Might be the one time to use..... AUTO

[tim]

Might be the one time to use..... AUTO

There's no auto setting on setting up lights...

Though it occurs to me you were making a joke. Very funny :p

[RDKirk]

Not that I've ever done this before, but I would be damn sure not to PP that image at all...

Dave

That's the reason the photographer must either sign a deposition attesting that the photograph is a true representation or must be available to testify to the same in court. Courts have never accepted a photograph alone as evidence--they always keep the photographer on the hook.

[USER876]

Well, they wouldn't give me the job, they wanted these taken in a professional studio at a place of business, and my basement setup isn't good enough for them. They wanted the lady to travel from NJ to some boutique studio in manhattan, but she refused and really wanted to use me because I am in her town. She said they are going to one of the photostudios in the local mall....cough cough......oh well, hope the "camera operator" does a good job. At least they will get 2 8x10's, 3 5x7's and 16 wallets for the low price of 19.99....LOL

[Curtis N]

Litigation attorneys usually have a long list of expert witnesses and various forensic professionals that specialize in certain kinds of evidence. I would think that any personal injury lawyer worth his salt would know photographers who can make images that hold up in court.

Or maybe this is one of those contingency cases where the lawyer is afraid to shell out a lot of money in case he loses. But it just seems weird they would contact a local photographer with a "basement studio" who has never done forensic photography before.

[rpearce12]

While the Iighting, etc. Can be a big issue, what would you say to the forensic specialists taking pictures of markings on a body? Their on camera flash is going to affect the way the markings look.

[golfecho]

Was this an odd client? Or an odd request?

[S.Horton]

My brother is a litigator -- whoever contacted you was either clueless or inexperienced, because photographers used for this kind of work are expensive and specialized. Using someone who has never done it before would be a risky/stupid idea.

[PhotosGuy]

My brother is a litigator -- whoever contacted you was either clueless or inexperienced, because photographers used for this kind of work are expensive and specialized. Using someone who has never done it before would be a risky/stupid idea. One reason for that is that you have to make every shot taken available to the other side, so you never take a shot that doesn't help your side of the case.

[mckinleypics]

We once paid $300k to have a 3 min animated video made for a lawsuit. Do it unless you don't like money.

[P51Mstg]

I always love the "give up the rights" part.

What else would you want to do with pictures of scarred feet. I can only think of a few foot fetish forums that you may be able to post them in and then, who would really know.

Mark H

[Dan Marchant]

I always love the "give up the rights" part.

What else would you want to do with pictures of scarred feet. I can only think of a few foot fetish forums that you may be able to post them in and then, who would really know.

Mark H
Plus of course giving up all rights in your copyright work bumps the price up :)