no need as public is not meted out allowances by bureaucrats to take personal pictures of their own / all-our-own public records.

i ran into the same in a few counties.  did it regardless.   elected recorder & county manager came with admins in tow.  took notes & ran to county counsel who told them that i  was in my rights as i knew all along

seriously ask them what specific statute they are invoking that empowers them to bar pics.  if they offer one, cease  work, pull it up online, read it, tell them to actually read it; then go back to your work in peace.  by the day a sheriff deputy had a friendly talk to me, i had a certified copy of the state public record act (state archivist offc.).  admired by the county employees;  feared by those on top in 4 counties - either gets my clients their goods;