How would you handle this....

I was asked to shoot group shots after an awards program recently. I was all ready to shoot in the place requested by the the awards presenters, when the first group of about nine with the all the other groups standing there waiting came up and the award winner proceded to tell me we couldn't shoot there. The spot in question was in front of a window with fairly heavy sheers that cut backlight quite well. I was shooting with a 5D, 24-70mm lens and a 580EXII flash, she had what looked to be a Rebel XT with pop up flash and kit lens so I'm guessing she was fairly new to DSLR. I tried explaining to her that the spot selected was fine but she adamently insisted we move over in front of the wall and drapereries. Short of aguing with her and holding things up as well as the fact that all the other groups had heard her comments and would likely also refuse to have the photos in front of the window I gave in. Now the spot she insisted on was very busy and I'll have twice as much time spent PP to remove the paisley sections of the drapes. What could I have done? Clients are not always right but some can be down right objectionable as well as know it alls. I do have about 30 years experience both with film and digital so I do know what I'm talking about..

That's an easy one; been there and done that. You, as the photographer should decide what makes the best end result and don't hesitate to say so. A possible simply stated response to the one objecting could have been "From my experience and in order to maintain my high integrity of final photos, it is necessary to shoot over there near (you pick the spot). Otherwise the photos will not be up to the expected quality." This way you are covered and still maintain control.
Give it a try next time and watch how quickly the objectioner melts.

I would respond with,"I appreciate your input, but the Client requested this spot and I would agree with their chose".

This does happen to me.... What I do is this... I say sure let's shoot over there, but let me get this shot here real quick since we are already here. (then i proceed to take my time ) Basically I shoot it both ways, mine is usually the better version.... but why argue with them?

"Here, let me show you" - organize it, take the pic and show her on the 5D and she'll see you were right. Last year another photographer told a player that the way I was shooting the teams portraits doesn't work, guys been shooting twice as long as I have and had no clue what I was doing (actually stuff I think I learned on this board). I did the portrait using that exact line, "let me show you" and they came out perfect!! When I showed that player on the viewfinder he was blown away and basically yelled out to the other guy how good it was. Simple as that.

I make the decisions on when and where to shoot. I will always appear appreciative on input but at the end of the day it is the photographer that must make those decisions as they are ultimately responsible for the final results.

I have noticed lately on here the type of comment "she only had an XTi" and I have seen some downright awesome work with that camera. If we have better gear than someone else, imo, it does not give us the right to "talk down" to or about them unless you are actually seeing their work. We all started somewhere.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions I'll try them next time. As for the XTI comment I meant no offense I too have seen steller shots from it but the fact that she did not understand the use of fill flash or that the large group in question blocked most of the backlighting tells me that she is at the beginners level. My sister uses the XT and it performs beautifully for her she too is at the beginners level.

Someone hired you to do a job - don't let someone else compromise the quality of your work. It's your shoot, you decide.