HS Senior Photo Shoot with Alcohol?

[RebelScum]

I recently did senior pictures for a client who specifically mentioned that two of her senior's interests were "chewing tobacco and Jack Daniels". As it turns out she was mistaken on the Jack Daniels, it is actually Captain Jack. The senior, senior's mother, and senior's grandmother all attended the shoot and brought with them an empty bottle of Capt Jack and filled it with cream soda and coffee so that it would look like a full bottle.
So, although I consider this to be in bad taste, they're not my senior pictures and this is what they've said they wanted from the first phone call, so I obliged and I intend to give the senior one picture with his bottle.
Can you foresee any problems with my intention to give them one picture that they've asked for? I have had at least one person tell me that she wouldn't dare do a picture like that and that it will ruin my reputation as a photographer (I'm not a photographer, I'm an amateur, but I did accept payment) and that she's just sure there are legal ramifications. Please give me your opinions.
Thank you so much.

[mokka]

I don't live in the USA so I don't know what the law is over there, but I would doubt there were legal ramifications, if TV shows can represent school kids drinking by using a liquid that looks like alcohol then one would presume you can do the same.

[Liz Caldwell]

No, I don't think there are legal ramifications, as it was brought up they have kids drink fake booze in TV and movies all the time.

Personally, I wouldn't go adding the shot to my portfolio, but I don't think you'll need to worry much about your reputation either if it's just a shot for the family... sometimes being an artist means going against the popular opinion of what's "acceptable"

[baileym76]

Legally you are fine since it is fake alcohol, but if you have a moral problem with it, then you need to decline to deliver the shot and refund their money.

It won't ruin your reputation as a photographer, since no one but the parents and the grandparents give a rip about senior pictures.

[UlpilotSC]

I read somewhere they can't drink real alcohol on tv commercials, it's all fake. Same with movies. Can you imagine doing six takes where everyone's really drinking? The actors would be sloshed.

So I don't see a problem with it. 99% of the people they show it to will never ask who the photographer was. It's not like you're a pro and you're sticking your name on everything.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by RebelScum

I recently did senior pictures for a client who specifically mentioned that two of her senior's interests were "chewing tobacco and Jack Daniels". As it turns out she was mistaken on the Jack Daniels, it is actually Captain Jack. The senior, senior's mother, and senior's grandmother all attended the shoot and brought with them an empty bottle of Capt Jack and filled it with cream soda and coffee so that it would look like a full bottle.
So, although I consider this to be in bad taste, they're not my senior pictures and this is what they've said they wanted from the first phone call, so I obliged and I intend to give the senior one picture with his bottle.
Can you foresee any problems with my intention to give them one picture that they've asked for? I have had at least one person tell me that she wouldn't dare do a picture like that and that it will ruin my reputation as a photographer (I'm not a photographer, I'm an amateur, but I did accept payment) and that she's just sure there are legal ramifications. Please give me your opinions.
Thank you so much.

I would do it, just ask them not to credit you, don't watermark them, and don't use it in your portfolio. Also the second you choose to accept USD compensation you're considered a "professional," even if you're level of skills is amateur and I'm sure the clients may already know that... its just the clients who rather not spend on the more experienced photographers that would cost more generally. But good luck and learn as much as you can!

[joep]

My take on this is, you gave the client exactly what they wanted. They were happy, you got some compensation......end of story............

[OsmosisStudios]

It takes all kinds, and as long as they can pay, who cares? They were done at the request of the parent, so it shouldnt matter.

[RebelScum]

Thank you all for your insight. Again, the alcohol being featured in the picture isn't really my cuppa tea, but they aren't my pictures, and just as you all mentioned, it's not like this is one for the portfolio. Thanks again to all for answering me!

[Krusty79]

I think you're fine, but I really have to wonder about the quality of the parenting, or lack thereof.