This was a unique architecture restaurant photography project of the Longhorn Steakhouse in Rolla Missouri for Boen Kemp Construction. WHY? Because of the ice & snow we had a couple of weeks ago. I should start by saying that scheduling photos of a new restaurant is a challenge and I need to be flexible in my schedule. When the construction is complete, the owners waste no time hiring and interviewing then immediately start training which can last a week from early morning until 5pm, then they open.
The original date set for photos was great, nobody on site had the building to myself. It was rescheduled the day before because there was still snow on the building and in front, making for bad photos. The only day available was the following Thursday, wouldn't you know it was raining all day. During the nearly 4 hour drive, I prayed that everything would turn out great and the client would be happy.
An hour out, I get a call from the project manager, the full training staff was on site (training was supposed to be completed the day before) for make up day because of ice, but would have everything in order 45 minutes after our scheduled start time. I attempted an exterior photo when I got there, in the rain, I've never done this but wanted something just in case the rain got even worse. Once inside, there was at least 25 training staff with decor, streamers and boxes everywhere. The project manager, was super helpful and we started in the kitchen where the cooking staff were very accommodating and helpful.
I was ready for the main dining room and was impressed to see that the training staff had not only cleaned up everything but but also put chairs and table condiments in proper place and THEN they ALL went outside while I took the photos I needed. The rain had slowed down to a sprinkle at this time, but I still felt bad for them and tried to take the photos quick. When I was done, they came back in and now time for the bar photos, which was also organized and cleaned of clutter. We now had two hours to kill before the twilight photos. Towards the end of that wait, the restaurant GM came to me and asked If I was hungry and like to eat? Well, I'm in a STEAK house, so DUH - he took me to the kitchen where half a dozen plates were ready with hamburgers, steaks, etc, and said 'pick out what you want, of course I had a steak. They also brought out some chicken with delicious sauce.
Around 4:00, the rain stopped and I was able to get some great exterior twilight photos. A nice benefit was the rain had left the pavement wet in front allowing a nice reflection, even better than if it had been try all day.
All that being said, I learned to make the best of any situation, be considerate of others time and space and have faith everything will be ok. I can honestly say, I've never had a day with so many challenges, but also everything turned out just great, if not better, with the project manager, training staff and myself working together and respecting each other's time and space and what we were there to do.
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