Realtor vs Photographer

Here in Louisville, this week marks the beginning of our annual home show. 20 builders are showcasing new homes constructed specifically for the show.

I have contracts with 7 of the builders to photograph their homes inside and out. While working the other night, one of the homes (not part of my contract) had some great light on it. Since I had my pole gear already up, I grabbed a quick shot.

Later that night I ran it through post and sent it to the agent selling the home to see if he was interested in my services. He sent back a short note, explaining that "he was a photographer and did all his own HDR." I thought the wording was weird (my pic wasn't HDR) but I wished him well and moved on.

The next day, an interior designer I know asked me if I was shooting her design. Low and behold, it was the HDR house. I explained that I was not, and she asked me for a quote to go in and shoot her furnishings. I gave her a rate, and we had a deal.

I proceeded to the house the next day, and explained to the foreman why I was there. With his permission, I proceeded to take my photos.

About 20 minutes into the job, I hear from behind me "Can I help you?" It was the HDR shooting realtor.

I explained that I was hired by the interior designer to take some photos of her work, to which he responded "Thats not necessary. I am a photographer."

I congratulated him on his dual specialties, and promised that I would stay out his way, but that I was proceeding with the foreman's permission. He said, "We will see about that."

He disappeared, and I started shooting again (albeit at a faster clip now). About 10 minutes later, he comes back and says he wants me to stop until he can find the foreman. I politely declined. He disappeared again.

10 minutes later hes back. Thankfully I am almost done by now. Now hes just watching me work, which doesn't happen to me much, and was sort of weird. Finally he says, "you take a long time. I can shoot a house in 20 minutes." I honestly have no idea what to say to the guy, but fortunately I am done now, so I start to pack up my gear. As I begin to walk out, he says "hey, don't send your pictures to anyone else, okay?" I sort of gave him a quizzical look, and he adds. "Don't send them to the builder. He's using my pictures, not yours."

I smiled and said "He can't have them unless he pays for them. But I'll make sure he gets to see them. Thanks for the recommendation."

I turned and left.

Good times in Louisville.

agent-"you take a long time...I can shoot a house in twenty minutes."

Photographer-"Yep, and my kid can paint a watercolor in 5.....I'd imagine they'd be worth about the same."

People that behave that way really irk me. I think you handled the situation perfectly. I'd also love to hear what the builder has to say about your work!

BooostedAWD wrote in post #16115681
People that behave that way really irk me. I think you handled the situation perfectly. I'd also love to hear what the builder has to say about your work!

Actually, that part was a bluff. I really don't plan on sending my images to him. It's a no win situation in that regard. The realtor is a really successful one here in town and while I am sure I won't get to work for him, no point in rubbing him to far the wrong way.

The funny thing is that at this point he still doesn't really know who I am, at least by name.