Attitudes towards event photographers?

[briareos]

How are photographers at events like the Tokyo Motor Show viewed and treated, in general?

My friend , a native Japanese, was telling me that respect for them has been dropping every year due to inconsiderate behavior, and they are often barred from photography at certain booths nowadays.

I'll be in Tokyo for the upcoming motor show and want to know what to expect.

[ricoche]

Hi there,

I have been to the Tokyo Motor Show and other events many times in Japan. There are several types of event photographers and the ones that upset people are generally the photographers that are the most noticeable with their bad behavior. If you respect the people around you then I don't think you'll have any problems.

The Tokyo Motor Show in large part is a total "Gal" show with cars added. Everyone knows in Japan that a large proportion of the guys like to check out all the campaign girls at this show. The Tokyo Motor Show organizers also know this and thus they definitely expect the event photographers to be there including all the other googly eye guys. In fact, it's the event photographers who greatly help out in marketing past shows and who have helped to make it one of the most popular events of the year. Although the organizers may put up rules here and there, they are not about to bar the event photographers as I personally feel this will have a rather large negative impact on the event.

With that said, I often see certain photographers shooting the crap out of the sexy model and completely ignoring the car. In addition with all the new cell phone cameras and video cameras, the event photographers are under the gun with the added competition to get the shot. Thus they have to be more aggressive to fight off the bystanders. This also creates additional loitering because the event photographers like to sit and wait for the masses to fan out a bit.

I should also point out that many event photographers are on assignment for all kids of websites, agencies, campaign programs, etc. and they all have to get the shot of the girls and/or cars that are important to their job. So if they have to be a jerk to get the shot, they most certainly will. I feel the same goes with the celebrity event photographers. It is also important to point out that there is a rather huge following of many of these Tokyo Motor Show Girls. Many have websites, fan clubs, and other stuff that attracts a rather huge following.

So, I would say take your camera and enjoy the show. Many of the campaign girls there will truly love the camera and others might ask you to take a few and go. Again, be respectful of the girls, motor show organizers, car dealers, and above all the people around you. You shouldn't have any problems at all.

One final point. Do watch the pro event photographers on occasion. These guys are good and they know how to get that winning shot even if they do get a bad name here and there. To them it's all part of the job.

Enjoy!

Jim