My Team dislikes being photographed

[JanitorialSnail]

My team is quite a set of characters, but they've got a bit of an attitude if I try to take pictures of them when in the workshop. These, if I may remind you, are the same people (boys, mostly) who don cheerleaders outfits at every competition.

They're.... with all due respect, generally really egotistical. But whenever I try to take a picture of them, they give me the evil eye. Every. Single. Time. I've gotten into a habit of creeping up to them just to take a picture. Only ONE person has asked me to kindly not take a picture of him, and I listen. He actually gave me some respect, so I'll do the same.

I honestly get pretty fed up with their sarcasm and glares, and I don't want to have to keep on creeping up on them. The pictures I take are the only in-shop pictures we get, so I can't just stop taking pictures. The pictures are great for our bragboard, and really gives people an idea of what we do. Can you give me any help?

[sanddrag]

I tell my students that pictures are the bread and butter of our outreach, documentation, fund raising, and publicity efforts. Having your photograph taken is an important part of being on the team. They all sign photo releases when they join. If they are not willing to support the team's efforts in these areas, they are free to participate in a different type of extracurricular activity.

[Allison K]

I've encountered the same thing (in robotics and elsewhere) and it seems to stem from a fear of people taking pictures specifically to find the most embarrassing ones possible to plaster all over the internet. I tell whomever I'm photographing that I promise to respect my subjects by filtering the photos that I take only posting photos that show them in a good light (ie - "If this were me, would I want this photo on the internet"). Once they are comfortable that I will only post pictures that look nice they seem to calm down. Also, I remind them that we need some photographic records to show off to sponsors so that we keep getting funding, parents and schools so that we keep getting support, etc.

[jwallace15]

To take time-lapse photos, we set up a game camera looking over our shop. It takes pictures when it detects motion. Perhaps you can look into this..?

Also, I understand that pictures are a big part of documentation (I was our media and photography leader last year), but some times pictures can be inappropriate. I'm not saying that you shouldn't take pictures at all, but consider this; if you were using a machine that could severely hurt you, would you appreciate distractions such as a camera flash or the click of a shutter (I had an issue with this last year while I was running a lathe. The flash of a camera that was photographing me was slightly distracting). I'm not sure what kind of camera you are using or if your workshop is light enough to not use a flash, but keep these things in mind. I recommend getting a motion-detecting game camera (they are silent, and can even take some really funny pictures... That, and you can use them to capture safety hazards, such as students or mentors without safety glasses), or even using a smartphone with a high-resolution digital camera. Those are silent (if your shutter sound is off) and you have the option of not using a flash.

And if your students just have an issue with being photographed? They won't notice the game camera if you conceal it high on a shelf. That, and if you use a phone, think about it... What teenager isn't on their smartphone? It would look like you are sending a quick text or something along those lines. Or even checking Chief Delphi

[EricH]

Make 'em an offer: You'll stop taking pictures when (if) they start taking pictures and giving you access to them for promotional materials. Evil eyes and sarcasm mean two pictures get taken instead of one--which diminishes the odds of any one picture ending up in public, but increases the odds of that one picture having someone looking really dumb.

Either you'll suddenly get a bunch of photographers in-shop, or you'll get a bunch of pictures for an end of year "Faces of the Students" video...

[Mark McLeod]

Did each of the team members sign the FIRST 2013-2014 Consent & Release Form yet, either online when they registered through STIMS or the paper version?
Did they read it?

3. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) understands that photographs, videotapes, and other recordings will be made of participants in the Programs, including the Participant. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) consents to those photographs, videotapes, and other recordings and the use thereof (i) as part of a record of the Program and (ii) to promote FIRST and the Programs.

[JanitorialSnail]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

Did each of the team members sign the FIRST 2013-2014 Consent & Release Form yet, either online when they registered through STIMS or the paper version?
Did they read it?

Welllll................. I'm pretty sure none of them read it. I've decided to turn off the flash so I won't disturb them, but I'm still treading carefully. Thanks for the suggestions!

[FireintheDells]

I am in charge of video for my team and everyone hates being filmed. There are people, people meaning everyone, that will start talking to me or make funny faces when I film. This is my biggest pet peeve. Also, it is like pulling teeth when I have to have people formally talk in front of the camera. I am so glad that I am not the only one that has issues with people hating pictures and video.

[Mr V]

Have Mr Henry talk to them. He'll set them straight.