Documentary Style Pictures Of Receipts

My first big break in photography came from The New York Times in 2007 covering a series they were working on about how global warming was affecting the world’s food supply. I remember being called to go to Malaysia and was told I was going to be teamed up with one of their all-star staff writers. I could barely sleep the night before and made every effort I could to impress.
After all was said and done I received a nice email from my editor that we got the front page. I was so ecstatic and the nervousness washed away from my body. I could finally relax; well at least relax until I was told they needed more pictures.
Pictures of what you ask? I thought the assignment was over? Well, they needed scans of my receipts but without a scanner handy I had to rely on my trade and photograph them and send the jpegs. Why didn’t they teach me about this in school? I was truly on my own in the freelance world and I didn’t know what to do.
This would be the ultimate test. How should I approach these receipts, fly on the wall style or perhaps a portrait series? Should I go words and numbers in focus or more of an artsy 1.4 out of focus look? Individual receipts or group shots? My editor didn’t give me any specifics so I just had to go with my gut. Would access be a problem and would I need a fixer? They didn’t move at all on their own except with some wind or just a random person checking them out. I remember in school I learned to be the first one there and the last one to leave. Patience was key and I watched and watched the receipts waiting for the right moments. I went with a one lens one body set up to be more stealth and I’m a natural light guy so I just had to sit on the shifting sun.
I sent the images in after a few days shooting and while I never heard from or got paid for that assignment, I’m pretty sure the client was happy with the results.

For all you young photographers out there I hope this blog post makes you better equipped when this situation presents itself.

For all you people who took me serious please don’t read my blog anymore ☺. I have however always wanted to do this for revenge to any of those accountants that never pay in a timely manner. Not suggesting the NYT does so; they are really good about paying.