Shooting in hospice?

My ex-wife's aunt is in a hospice's care right now. She has a few weeks to live, if that. When my ex told me I opened my big mouth and offered to take some shots for her family so they can have the images for future generations.

Has anybody shot pictures in a hospice? How did they react when you walked in with the big camera and a tripod? I'm envisioning them going into a panic attack treating me as if I'm going to take pictures of all the patients and making all sorts of HIPPAA violations. Am I worried about nothing?

I see nothing wrong here, I would just cation you to be discrete. Hand held high ISO would be far less intrusive for everyone than tripod and strobes.

Clear it with the management up front; don't just spring it on them. Offer to let them review the photos with you on the understanding that you'll take their comments under advisement if they're reluctant.

neil_r wrote in post #5025650
I see nothing wrong here, I would just cation you to be discrete. Hand held high ISO would be far less intrusive for everyone than tripod and strobes.

Exactly. Handhold it. You can always do some things in post processing. If you are shooting jpegs use CS3, open your jpegs in the raw editor, you will be amazed at what you can do with jpegs.

I agree with Jon and wouldn't do it myself without permission. I am sure they will be fine with this.

My mom died in 1990 and I did see her just before she died. This, however, was not the image I want to remember her by. I hope they all have pictures of her when she was okay. I could never understand why anyone would take pictures when someone is very ill, nor could I understand taking pictures at a funeral.

Did you ask if she wanted shots taken? If it were me, I'd prefer that people remembered me from when I didn't look like I was on my last legs?