I have a problem with a potential photoshoot...need help

So here is my dilemma.

A friend of mine has a friend who has a record label. They want me to shoot some promo pictures for them and they said they would pay.

My only problem is:

They want me to come to their house to talk about rates and what they want to do. I'm not a big fan of meeting people to talk business at their houses or at mine. It also does not help that they live in probably the worst area in the city I live in. I'm talking gun-shots are an everyday occurrence. Another thing is that they don't own a car, so they don't want to meet me somewhere else.

My question to you is:

Am I wrong by refusing to meet them at their house?

I mean this place is crawling with gang activity. My friend got angry with me and said that I just don't want to go because they're black and they live in the ghetto, but I would act the same way if they were white or asian and lived in the suburbs (I'm asian by the way). I just don't like doing business at my house or a clients house...I would much rather meet in a neutral location like a coffee shop or restaurant. It just doesn't help that they live in the area that they do.

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

Never ever ever do anything you're not comfortable with. This isn't a photography rule, just a life rule.

heycow wrote in post #7396028
Never ever ever do anything you're not comfortable with. This isn't a photography rule, just a life rule.

Very well said.

I couldn't agree more...I just figured it couldn't hurt to get other peoples' inputs.

My friend is a douche-bag who can't stand it when people don't do things his way

jfc3po wrote in post #7395957
So here is my dilemma.

A friend of mine has a friend who has a record label. They want me to shoot some promo pictures for them and they said they would pay.

My only problem is:

They want me to come to their house to talk about rates and what they want to do. I'm not a big fan of meeting people to talk business at their houses or at mine. It also does not help that they live in probably the worst area in the city I live in. I'm talking gun-shots are an everyday occurrence. Another thing is that they don't own a car, so they don't want to meet me somewhere else.

My question to you is:

Am I wrong by refusing to meet them at their house?

I mean this place is crawling with gang activity. My friend got angry with me and said that I just don't want to go because they're black and they live in the ghetto, but I would act the same way if they were white or asian and lived in the suburbs (I'm asian by the way). I just don't like doing business at my house or a clients house...I would much rather meet in a neutral location like a coffee shop or restaurant. It just doesn't help that they live in the area that they do.

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

FWIW - I'm Black and I wouldn't go either, unless I felt safe. Sounds like a bad situation to me.

I would NEVER go there from the way you make it sound. There is no reason you can't either talk over the phone, email, etc.

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They have a record label, but no means of taking a bus somewhere?

tidal9 wrote in post #7397000
They have a record label, but no means of taking a bus somewhere?

My thoughts exactly. They have the means, they just don't want to.

Good friend to have, I mean a "record label" and no car? How much can they really afford to pay? Is the gig that promising? Is there going to be a royalty or a recognition factor involved? This sounds like a no-brainier. Stay home, refine your craft, hold on to your gear, and wait for a client that can meet the demands of real world business.

Thanks for the advice guys.

jfc3po wrote in post #7395957
My friend got angry with me and said that I just don't want to go because they're black and they live in the ghetto

Not wanting to go to the ghetto sounds like a perfectly legitimate reason, to me, regardless of if they are black, white or purple.

They own a record label but they can't get a ride to a meeting? LOL. Dude you'd never get paid.

heycow wrote in post #7396028
Never ever ever do anything you're not comfortable with. This isn't a photography rule, just a life rule.

Nashilee wrote in post #7396050
Very well said.

yes, i agree!

they have to leave the house sometime, maybe for a party or hanging out with friends elsewhere. then just meet them there. if it's important to them and to you, there will be a solution. good luck!