Portrait Photography Help!

[arvin.07]

Hi everyone. I'm just wondering, for portrait photography: what exactly do you talk about to your subject to make them feel comfortable?

For me, I'm more of a reserved kinda person, I'd rather listen than talk much, and for my portrait assignment (for school) I'm afraid that I wont do a good job if I don't interact correctly with my subject.

So what do portrait photographers talk about besides "Tilt your head here, raise your shoulders, etc etc"?

Thanks :)

[Michaelmjc]

Just try to be as natural as possible. Just make some jokes and be friendly. I dont normally talk too much about poses and such, just let them move around and tell them to hold that pose periodically. I usually just talk about whatever I see or is around me, whatever pops into my head first.

Hope that made any sence ;)

Mike

[Benji]

Ask them what interests them, then if you know anything about the subject, engage them in a conversation pertaining to it (football, basketball, sewing, music gymnastics whatever. If you know nothing about it tell them you know nothing about it but you are interested in knowing more, and ask them to tell you more about whatever it is. I also tell them that I need to go behind them on occasion to adjust the background light or kicker lights or hair light so they don't think I'm some pervert checking out their butt.

Benji

[Halliday]

It may sound silly but I act like I am on a first date. I'll say or do just about anything to make them smile, relax and have a good time.

Give a lot of positive feedback too.