at that point, you really need to pull the “im the professional” card.

they are hiring you to take high-quality photos of a subject specifically because they lack the skill or equipment to do so. so why are you listening to their unskilled suggestions for setting up your equipment?

Yes, and it was my own fault. I am not a portrait photographer. I specialize in Art Documention or create high-resolution prints for artists. So, my wife’s friends split the cost of hiring a Santa Clause, then asked my wife to tell me shoot it for cheap or free. When I said “no”, as expected it started an argument between us. And I was labeled “the bad guy” and I was “ruining Christmas”. I gave in as I was tired of arguing with my wife and her friends. I offered to borrow a Christmas backdrop from a photographer friend and to shoot it in my studio space to it would at least come out well. They declined and told me they had it covered, I had doubts, but went with it. When I got to the shoot, it was a white background, outside, in harsh light. I tried to convince them to move the background indoors, and I would use my portable studio lighting or out of direct sunlight. They refused, so I convinced them to agree in writing that if (when) the photographs were washed out, it was NOT my fault and that I had advised them how to create a quality image. After this experience, my wife agreed to never put me in this position again. I learned a few things from that experience, including: regardless of the relationship clearly establish in writing the expectations for both myself and of the client.

Yes but then I tell them that’s not what I do. I show them full galleries prior to hiring me. I’ll shoot in my style and shoot what I know. If they want something else then they can find that with a photographer that’s a better fit.