I would appreciate any tips you have for taking photos and not getting outed as being a shopper? I am not referring to the photos where you can stand in an aisle and not be noticed (there's a gas station shop I do where I can take a photo of the beverage area by quickly snapping from an aisle and no one is in that aisle typically)....I am referring to shops that require a photo of the check out counter or the food prep area (where the staff is actually making food, etc.) and the requirements are for a complete eye level photo - not the floor in front of the prep area lol.
How do you take those without looking obvious?
We live in a world of security concerns, I'd hate to be approached by store security etc....and these shops often pay measly - under $20.
Appreciate any tips from those who are consistently successful with these requirements. Thank you.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2023 11:39AM by BarefootBliss.

I just pretend I'm texting someone and quick snap a photo. Or there is always a time when someone isn't paying too close of attention to what you do. or pretend I'm doing a selfie or hold up to my face like I'm opening an app. Then it just seems like you're rude. lol.

Being nervous makes you more obvious that you are doing something you should not be doing. Truthfully, I don't think people pay as close attention to stuff like this as much as they did years ago. People constantly take photos to text and post on social media. The guy making minimum wage at the convenience store isn't going to care what you are doing. Heck, you've got stores that outright let people shoplift stuff without saying anything to them or trying to stop them. The biggest concern I have about snapping photos is being outed by a customer or a customer thinking I'm taking pictures of them. That's where I am very cautious and where I believe the greatest risk of having an issue comes from. I strive to make sure I don't have anyone in the background of the photos, but that is not always possible. I do ensure kids are not in any photos. I won't even attempt to take one, if a child is nearby. Some shops, like that ones where you have to find out about debit and credit card fees, minimum purchases, etc., do require a little more finesse because you have to get the photos and have an interaction.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2023 03:56PM by ServiceAward.

Android phones have a feature where you can add an extra "shutter" button that can be moved around the screen. In other words, you don't have to move the thumb down the bottom to snap a photo.

Oh, I hate that roaming shutter thing! It's everywhere it's not supposed to be and throws me off.

I have my shutter sound turned off and when I need to take pictures, I usually act like I am face timing someone or am texting.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2023 09:02PM by ArkLaMissshopping.

Always take several pictures of a required subject, especially when working quickly. If you have the shutter noise turned off you may not detect that a photo was not made, so count on taking 2, 3, or more of each requirement. Discretely check the pics before leaving the scene to be sure you have what you need. Don't delete any until after you've submitted the report and preferably after it has been approved.

Practice, practice, practice--if you practice often enough, these will become so easy you won't worry:

1. Practice holding the phone at different angles to take pics. Some of those angles make it obvious you're taking a photo, while other angles look like you're texting or reading a message or checking your makeup, even playing a video game. Practice smiling or grinning from time to time, as if you've read something funny your bestie texted you.

2. Also, practice tapping the photo button (at a "texting" or "deleting" or "gaming" angle) while you're walking forward, taking multiples within seconds.

3. Practice holding the phone in one hand, and using the thumb or other finger on that same hand to take photos.

Turn down the brightness of your screen as much as you can, to make it less likely someone nearby will notice you're taking pics. (This helps when using a stopwatch timer as well.)

Take as many photos as you can while the crew is distracted by their real customers.

4. You can also take "half selfies"--where you're using the front camera as if taking a selfie, but you're holding the camera at an angle where most of the view is of the target image, not yourself. Add to the effect by arranging your hair or scarf or tie just before hitting that button. (Do men wear ties anymore?). Be careful, because unless you have a mirroring feature on the selfies, the images--including writing--will be reversed. You can also do "fake selfies" as was earlier mentioned. Be sure to smile or grin while doing "selfies" since that's what people normally do

When you buy a new smartphone, keep and carry the old one as a backup camera.

I just replaced my 5-1/2 yr old smartphone with a Pixel 8 Pro which takes excellent low light photos including wide angle and telephoto. Turn off flash and shutter sound. I expect to keep it for at least 7 yrs.

In addition to Susan L's excellent tips:
1. Don't use the on-screen button to take covert photos; Use one of the buttons on the side of your phone instead. My finger is naturally on one of those buttons anyway when I carry my phone in my hand.

2. Don't worry about focusing or looking at the screen. If you look at your phone, the employee will too. Don't look at your phone. Just take the shots. With a little practice, you can take at least 3 shots in one second. Only one needs to be good.

3. When taking photos at the register (or drive-thru window), there is always a second or more that the cashier has to look away from you or down at the register. Be ready to take the shots as soon as the cashier takes your payment.

4. The first thing I do whenever I get a new phone is turn off the click sound for the camera. I never ever have the camera click sound on, since it provides no benefit anyway. In the rare situation where I must use the flash (such as showing the towel dispenser at the gas station is empty), I turn off the flash immediately after taking the shot.

5. Practice a bit, and you can learn to shoot from the hip when necessary. It does not take much practice to learn the angle you need to put your phone. I used this method when I had to take shots of the carving station at buffets where there was always an employee carving.

6. This one may be a little redundant, but I mention it because it is the most important. Don't worry about setup, framing, or focus. If you don't have your phone in your face, then it doesn't look like you are taking a picture. When it is about time to get the shot, have your finger on the side button so that you are ready when the brief opportunity arrives. Just take the darn shots and be quick about it! Sometimes I can click the volume button 5 or 6 times in one second. Remember, only one shot needs to be useable. Worry less and shoot more.

7. If you are not comfortable with any of these, there is one other sure last-resort way that I am not sure I should post it publicly. Explore the features of your smartphone and practice. You will figure out what works for you and your particular phone.

I have never failed to get photos of a shop that required such of me. There is always a way. If you cannot figure out a way by the time you have to exit the facility, just take a quick shot and resolve to never do that shop again. Even if you were outed in that situation, it would not matter.

I had to take many photos of cookies and signage in a cookie shop in the mall once while the counter employee was lookiing at me and waiting for me to decide on a purchase. I had my phone to my ear the entire time while constantly pressing the volume buttons and pretending to ask questions about the kinds of cookies the person on my phone wanted me to get and also asking cookie questions of the employee. I took so many pictures that enough of them were useable. However, I decided that the pay was not worth the effort and never did that shop again.

-edited for grammar type

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2023 03:45AM by AZwolfman.

Excellent tips, AZ! #7 - inquiring minds need to know!

PM