When the client is in movement,or the client stationary and the crowd in movement,(like a book signing or meet and greet line), the BG should be next to them.(next to them being at the side or slightly behind to the left or right with a good view and well within reach of the client and or those who can get close,rule of thumb is a BG lunge step should control an arms length at minimum to the front of the client).
In a stationary ,contracted event,like the Ribbon Cutting in the photo's shown here.
The BG is not needed to stand NEXT to the client unless the Hiring agency,the client ask or if a threat has been made that the BG takes seriously enough to deem real and he/she insist on being that close.
The public is TOO close in these shots.
(the photo of Miss Walsh almost alone with the ribbon behind her and her out front getting photographed shows a nice box cordon behind and around her)
An area of at least 6 feet should have been given to the client as then movement to the client is more easily seen and acted upon.
(this is provided in the picture mentioned above)
In most photo shoots the Celeb/client is the focal point of the event,not the BG and public,I am surprised the media did not ask for a more contained area for the the Celeb to be seen more or less alone in the shots of the actual cutting.
For some reason when the ribbon was moved to in front of Miss Walsh the crowd was allowed to surge forward and get too close,in my opinion.
The BG ,since known in this role,should have demanded the event planners,security,or a barrier of some kind, keep the crowd back a specified distance.
I do not know this BG.
My points are in general.
We do not know as said earlier in these posts:
Is he the Usual BG for this celeb ?
Was he hired on by the event coordinator to escort the client in and out ?
(If the job was a rush her in ,cut the ribbon and get her out,then his position could also be seen as needed)
Was he told just stand near by to deter any crazies ?
Too many variables aside from BG and client to know the facts of this job.
We can make remark on what we see ,but this should not be directed to the BG specific as we do not know the directives of the event.
My opinion.
