What would be the best way to approach this (taking pics at someones house) ?

Question

One of my neighbors has a really beat-down house, it is from the 50's and has not been taken care of at all in a while. The woman that lives there lives in a old-trailer. Her father used to live there, but he died a while back, he loved to collect old things and his yard used to be filled with old cars and things like that. When he died most of things were taken away, except the cars. The cars have been taken over with plants, along with the house. The house has a lot of things growing on the roof, and the windows have been left open for 12 years.

I have a Ap photography class and my photography concentration is the beauty of grungy and old things. Images from inside the house and the yard would really help out my photography project, because I have had issues finding subjects(pics i have taken for the assignment allready( http://www.flickr.com/photos/annafur/sets/72157623665367807/ ).

Would she be offended that I want to take pictures of her house, because of the condition that it is in ? What would be the best way to ask her ? I was thinking about maybe knocking on her door and give her like a basket of cookies or something . I would tell her that it is for my photography class and I needed to take pictures of things that show the passage of time. From what I have heard she is a lonely, kinda grumpy old woman and she sometmes gets into loud arguments with another dude who lives on another trailer on that same property.




Thanks for your help :)

Answer 1

Hi Anna



You're right - always ask!



And explain and show some photographs and put her at ease.



So why do you want to shoot there, because it's interesting, it has fascinating details and character. It's unique and you think it'll make amazing photographs. It's the lack of the ordinary, the mundane and the common that you are after... if your rationale stacks up and you show her some photos then you'll have a good chance she'll say yes.



So go in easy, ask if you can talk to her and show her some photographs - then broach the possibility of doing some photos of her place. Don't dwell on negatives regarding the condition of the house, talk about the details, character and memories instead.



She may take some talking round and you can't push - you need to build a bridge and some trust first. Even if she says no make sure you go around another time and just say hi and thanks for giving you some time... good photography is sometimes like fishing, a lot of waiting and preparation and some will always get away.



Good luck! I hope you are doing fine... ;-)

Answer 2

She might be embarassed about the current state of her property, so I would probably not ask to go inside, or you might be met with resistance.



I would knock on her door and introduce myself. I dunno about the cookies--it's a nice thought, but a lot of people are diabetic, on special diets, have allergies, etc. I would say, "I'm so and so from a few blocks down. I'm doing a photography project for my school. The topic is the beauty of nature (sounds a little nicer), and I was inspired by your front yard. Would you mind if I took several pictures of it?"



Be sure to thank her when you leave the property. Also, a thank you note or something afterward would be nice--you could include one of your shots from her yard in it.



If she says no, be polite and thank her for her time.

Answer 3

as long as you have no icky feelings about your safety then just ask nicely, maybe even take a couple of prints for her,



perhaps get her to invite you in somehow without you actually asking



the cookies is really sweet but i dont understand the culture where you are so i dont know, i would be very impressed, but im not a grumpy old woman

Answer 4

Why can't u just sneak over and take a couple shots? I also think there has to be another option as far as photo ops that would meet this assignment requirement. Her yard cannot be the only old stuff around...

Answer 5

Asking the owner would be a good start.





Good Luck

Answer 6

Why ask? Just wait until she's gone to church or the grocery store and snap away! It probably wouldn't even hurt to just go and do it, and if she comes outside and asks what you're doing, tell her. You're not doing any harm.