WDYD if you get a request for a job in a town that's not safe?

I was asked to photograph a birthday party.. it's in a town that I do not feel comfortable traveling to. (As a young woman traveling alone). Is this the part of photography where I need to just suck it up? Or is there a tactful way to turn it down?

What exactly do you mean by "not safe"? I guess if it were an area that is completely overrun with drugs, gangs and crime, I would probably avoid it....but I doubt many people are hiring photogs in areas such as that.

Your personal safety should always come first. If you're not comfortable travelling there alone then don't. Could you get your husband/boyfriend/male friend to accompany you to the party?

Yes, if you feel uncomfortable traveling alone, don't, or bring a friend.

Turn it down for sure.

If you aren't comfortable with the situation don't do it. Trust your instincts.

No amount of money, no client, and no job is worth your personal safety. Go with your instincts, not the desire to make a few dollars.

I don't know that any town as a whole is unsafe. Usually it's just sections of towns. But, if you feel you'd be in danger then don't take the job...or make them pay a ton of money so you can hire mercenaries.

cdifoto wrote in post #11672303
I don't know that any town as a whole is unsafe. Usually it's just sections of towns. But, if you feel you'd be in danger then don't take the job...or make them pay a ton of money so you can hire mercenaries.

I always wanted to be a mercenary...If you like maybe I will hire out for this job.

Please forgive me if I'm making assumptions:

Part of me wants to question your vision of "safe." This comes from my own personal experience living in Center City Philadelphia, interacting with people from the suburbs who viewed every part of the city as "unsafe." If it's a situation like that, I'd say suck it up - you're safer than you think you are, and it will be a good stretching experience for you.

Is this a kid's birthday party? What kind of location exactly?

Doesn't make a hoot, it's not to question how someone feels, it's a fact that they feel.
If it feels unsafe than it is best left alone.

Judgement is made from behind the eyes of the viewer.

I've been in places that just reeked of safe and in a moments blink all he¡¡ break lose.

If you feel uneasy in a surrounding, your not going to be at your best and your work will show it.

As almost all the above have stated follow your thoughts!

I would say avoid it. I can't judge what's safe for you - so it's best

cdifoto wrote in post #11672303
I don't know that any town as a whole is unsafe.

Camden, NJ just laid off half their police force. It had the second highest crime rate in the country before the layoffs. Half the residents live below the poverty line. I'll offer it as the exception to the rule.

Downtown Dallas. West end, muggings so frequent they put in a police substation.
Same city, east end, shooting at nightclubs so frequent, they put in yet another substation, not 3 miles from the west end, substation.

Shopping mall parking lots, have police in raised rooms to try and catch the muggers in the mall lots,
( Arlington, OakLawn, Highland Park ) Wally world, has cameras up to catch shoplifters, if they are brazen enough to 5 finger discount when they know they are being watched, they will have no second thoughts about stripping someone of there gear if they think they can get away with it.

Little do they know, I'll use mine as a swinging club, without a second thought of it's price.

In broad daylight anywhere, if some lowlife see's an easy score they will try it, right in front of the cops watching the whole thing.

If You Dont Feel Safe There, Dont Be There!

I had to do some work in a ropey part of the city and ended up with a friend watching my back and shot the job on a Canon G9 with a 580exII on it, worked a treat and meant I could run really fast.

For the OP, its simple. If you feel a bit dodgy then dont go.