I just have to get this off my chest before I explode.
I had a run-in with a New Orleans TV Camera guy today that rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but as a professional photojournalist, he's a complete jackass. (In my opinion)
Here's the situation. There was a murder in Houma on Sunday night. We usually go out to the neighborhood of the murder the next day for a follow up story. We talk to the victims family and friends. Maybe talk to the suspects family and friends. We do this to get more of the story than the police report says. Personal information about the victim like hobbies and things like that.
So reporter Robert Zullo and I headed out to the neighborhood where the victim lived and was killed. We saw ABC 26 out there too. Usually not a big deal. We do our work, they do theirs.
Zullo and I were talking to the sister and a group of cousins of the murder victim outside the home where he was found dead. They were telling us good information about the victim. The sister of the victim says she has a photo of her brother on her cell phone, as she's telling us about the photo, the ABC 26 cameraman walks up and interrupts her and tells her to let him see the photo. This is as she's showing it to me and Zullo. He then has her hold it in front of his camera so he can get a shot. Then, and this is when I had to roll my eyes and walk away, asks her to stand there an look down at the phone so he can get a shot. Are you kidding me? And you call yourself a journalist?
He then asks her to walk with him to the corner of the house where the body was found. Sooooo... I guess Zullo and I were done with our interview and photos?
And to top it all off... the TV cameraman was wearing jean shorts. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of dress codes, but I do believe you need to dress and act professional while on assignment.
I don't know, maybe I'm thinking too much about this, or maybe it's too soon after for me to logically think, but I just got really ticked at this guy today. I have to add that the reporter for the TV station was in a nice shirt and tie. He did his job very well.
There's been articles in national photojournalist's magazines about TV camera people and how they dress and act. The lead photo to go with the article showed a TV cameraman in jean shorts and a t-shirt at a soldiers funeral. There was a TV guy in Topeka who wore jean shorts every day of the year... no matter the temperature. So I know I'm not the only person to come this situation.
Anyway, that's my rant, I feel better now.
Now I'm off to an assignment where I'll be professional, I'll look professional and I'll follow the journalist ethical standards set fourth by the New York Times, National Press Photographers Asso. and the Society of Professional Journalists.
