How do you tell a client...

[vpwphoto]

I have made these calls a few times... have been labeled a tight ass... but then again, I guess I am, and I am not looking over my shoulder or having interesting folks saying they are my friend. I FIRED a contractor working on my building for what I thought was Cocaine dealing at my bld... he had $3000 of my money in his pocket... tough pill to swallow... but he is gone... and I can sleep.

 

[lxdude]

^Wise moves.^

 

[JBrunner]

Just simply tell him the environment doesn't work for photography. He obviously trusts you.

 

[benjiboy]

Oh man, even I let that one go...

I couldn't resist it dude.

 

[2F/2F]

How about you just adopt a former DEA pig for real?

 

[BrianL]

Just tell him there is no client-photogrpaher privilege and you photographs could be seized and used to get the client a new suit and home. And, it could make some of his guests a little uncomfortable knowing their activities might be photographed and become public, especially the judges, lawyers, bankers. Actually, I would not have a problem sitting with the client and explain that you do not feel comfortable in such an environment and if detracts from you doing your best work as you can not control it. Well, actually me first suggestion may be better, or my second?

 

[removed-user-1]

I appreciate all the advice. I have basically begged off from any further work with this person on the grounds that I am changing directions, that I'll no longer be doing d*****l or product work in general. He certainly doesn't want to pay for film processing so that's that. To satisfy the curious, the activities that made me so uncomfortable fall squarely under the auspices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

 

[Steve Smith]

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

What do they do? Get drunk and shoot at cigarettes?


Steve.

 

[Worker 11811]

To satisfy the curious, the activities that made me so uncomfortable fall squarely under the auspices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Great! All we need is somebody to bring the pizza and we can have a party!

 

[BrianL]

For all you budding professionals here is a chance for you.

 

[lxdude]

the activities that made me so uncomfortable fall squarely under the auspices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Could have been worse. Could have been the DEA.

 

[lensworker]

Doing business at a known place of criminal, organized activity, and returning, could be seen (I strongly emphasize "could") as complicity, even facilitation. His cash to you on that site could potentially be a form of money laundering. I would advise not to return. I am speaking from some experience here having had to deal with the fallout from grow-ops in Vancouver relating to real estate and utility transactions, watching willfully ignorant tradespeople given the nth degree.

The local cop is not always going to listen to you or read your contract if your name comes up as having been to that site. He's going to follow the money and the personnel at that site.

You are putting yourself in a very bad position by being in the presence of whatever unlawful activity this client is involved in.

If the police show up when you are there, you could easily be arrested as an accomplice and have all your equipment confiscated as evidence - and then have to post bond to get out of jail and spend thousands - even tens of thousands - on attorneys to defend you at trial and hopefully keep you out of prison.

Forget public defenders; they are overloaded with cases and do not have the time and resources to mount an effective defense. Public defenders are an excellent way to end up doing prison time or being forced to plead guilty to a crime you had no involvement with.

If you continue to associate with this client and do business with him, do NOT do it at his home.

Tell him you will need to rent a studio and bill him for it. If he objects, explain to him why as tactfully as you can. If he still objects, say "Thanks but no thanks" and cease all contact with him.

No job is worth risking what you are risking, no matter how much it pays.

JMHO.

EDIT: Just found the OP's last entry on this situation. I'm glad to hear you have extricated yourself from this guy and his "activities." Good call.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I thought I heard some heavy breathing Jeff

^^

Jeff