I don't agree with much of your post, but agree 100-percent with this part. When life deals you lemons, make lemonade. Make the people part of the "story." Turn a negative into a positive.
Actually, when I am hired to photograph car shows and concours, they want me to include people. That is a challenge for me, because I shoot "things," and clench up a bit when asked to shoot people. I've actually posed people looking at cars. Dads and cute kids are the best! Who doesn't like a dad and cute kid photo? Add a cool car, and you can't lose.
This could also work into calendar photos. I'm suddenly picturing in my mind a picnic setting, with a MINI included. Adding a human element could be pretty awesome.
