5 scary photo assignments. One photographer’s idea of a trick, not treat

I realized tonight was the eve of halloween and and then it dawned on me. It’s halloween. What’s halloween without scary stories? I can think of nothing scarier than shooting the five assignments below: 

1. The Grip and Grin. You know this assignment. There’s usually a big cheque and some handshakes involved and men in suits. If you’re really lucky you get a shovel too. The scary part is how do you make this visually appealing? You can’t. It’s been done. over and over and over again. 

2. Pet of the week. Does anybody actually rescue the pet of the week from impending doom? Some days, you feel like trading spots with poor fido. 

3. Weddings. I know.  Lots and lots of people make good money with this one, but the ingredients just aren’t appetizing to me. Add a weekend working, a late night, and a 100 or more yahoos with an open bar, and some bee gees hit from the ’70′s. A drunk with a mullet in a tux is the scariest costume I can think of . 

4. Cars. No, not driving them. shooting them. over and over and over again. I know, those of you working at national geographic don’t get this one at all but I know I’ve done my share, and I’m sure you have too. Aren’t you glad you went to college for this? Photos of ’98 Pontiac Grand Prix. One for the portfolio for sure. 

5. The awards party. Some reporter (usually referring to you as ‘their photographer’) gets you to shoot another bunch of morons in tuxes and an open bar. 

and, a bonus …

6. The bad concert. Lucky you, Neil Sedaka’s in town. 

Have a safe and happy halloween. Watch out for the wee ones.