The photographer probably asked her to move to the side so he could get the core in the shot. Nobody, including her, would choose that position of their own volition. The main subject of the photo is the log, and the photographer didn't want to shoot from the side to allow the scientist a more natural position because that wouldn't show the log as much.
This is also not how a person would naturally open a door, yet we wouldn't accuse him of not understanding leverage. He's being accommodating of others, just as she is.
