Five Tips For Assignment Photography

This was the only glowing thing in the sky at 6:45 this morning, so I used the extra time to grab some stock images.

This morning I was reminded of one of the less glamorous aspects of assignment photography and that’s waiting around. You do a lot of that in photography. Paparazzi wait for the famous to make an appearance and they’re always fashionably late, court always runs long (unless you step away to use the bathroom), brides almost always run late (not like you can start without her) and events like rocket launches frequently get rescheduled. Press conferences are notorious for being canceled, rescheduled or moved.
My plan today was to cover the launch the NROL-15 Delta IV heavy from one of the local fishing piers and get a time-lapse of the rocket trail with the crowded fishing pier in the foreground. As is typical in photography, things did not go as expected. The launch window was three hours, starting at 6:31 am local time and they ended up using all but 15 minutes, launching instead at 9:15 am.
By the time they got around to actually lighting the candle, the visuals for the launch had changed dramatically. The fishing pier shot was gone by an hour after sunrise. Liquid fuel rockets without solid rocket boosters are notoriously dull. There’s no grand vapor trail to scribe an arc toward the heavens, just a glowing spot of fire which is largely lost in the bright sky. I had to find another angle and there was no telling how long I had as the launch team kept resetting t-zero.
I’d like to tell you this morning was different, but it’s actually pretty typical. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks that help me adapt to the fluid nature of assignment and event photography.
Take Pictures of Your Surroundings
Take pictures of your surroundings and people who happen to be around. It’s a great way to pass the time and, occasionally, you get photos that will be saleable as stock photography. Some caution should be exercised as clients will sometimes try to claim any shot you take during the contract period, not just those relevant to the subject.

Sunrise is a great time for relaxing images but not, apparently, for rocket launches.

Scope Out Alternate Angles and Locations
Courthouses are famous for having someone walk out to the podium 30 minutes late and announce that the press conference has been moved to another location. If you have scouted the location while you were waiting, then you should have a list of alternate locations ready in your head.
Last minute changes gripe the people who showed up early because they can lose their front row perch.
Take a Folding Chair
Make sure you have a folding stool strapped to your camera bag or slung over your shoulder. I’ve learned over the years not to count on having a chair and learned the hard way not to trust public benches, particularly on fishing piers!
Take a Travel Mug With Coffee or Tea
When assignments run long there will be a great temptation to walk over and get coffee waiting for an event to start or subject to appear. I guarantee you’ll miss shots some day walking away from the scene. Take your travel mug with you, but go easy on the fluids.
Know Where The Bathrooms Are Located
Go before you dash out the door is expected, but also know where the nearest bathrooms are located. If you’re sure you have enough time, better to go when you know you have the opportunity than try and wait it out.
Take a Snack
I have a granola bar and box of raisins in my photography vest and there are many times I could have sold them for good money. Another trick, if you have time, is write down the number for pizza delivery places in the area. Most times you can get them to deliver to a location like the front steps of the courthouse if you leave a credit card number as a deposit.
Just make sure you give the delivery person a good description as there may be many people who try to impersonate being you to the driver.
Location photography is all about preparation and being prepared to wait.