I go on assignment to photograph this Mexican restaurant. I need to shoot 4-6 different shots of this place. I tell the manager what I'm doing and he says, "I'm sorry, I don't have time. We're to busy. Why don't you come back when nobody is here. Then I'll let you take photos."
I try to explain that taking photos does not take up anybodies time. Everybody can just continue on with what they're doing.
Didn't work. He wanted me to come back next week when nobody was at the restaurant. "OK," I said. (then I thought... "I'd be glad to give you free advertising of your business looking empty and lifeless.")
I guess I can kind of see his side... maybe he didn't want a photographer walking around and bothering his customers. (Which I wouldn't do). Maybe he thinks he has to follow me around while I shoot. (Which he doesn't)
Needless to say, this is a pretty common excuse. It's the same reason I tell the writers to not schedule the photo assignment at the same time as the interview. When the writer asks "When can I come over and do an interview with you." The subjects think "When am I not doing anything so I can get interviewed?" Therefore, it's the worst time to make a photograph of this subject because they're not doing whatever it is that we're doing a story on... so the best time for an interview is the worst time for a photo.
Ok, I'm done with that little rant.
Now, enjoy this photo from a dog wash this morning.
