How to interact with models?

[Apo11o]

I've been doing a lot of research recently regarding portraiture, and the one thing I have failed to find any adequate information/advice/tips on is how to interact with your model or subject.
It's interesting, because it is the one thing that everyone assumes to be the easy, self-explanatory part. However, I know it isn't as easy as it looks.
I'm sure there are many other photographers wondering the same thing, so maybe people can contribute to this, sharing their insight and advice on carrying a successful photoshoot.
Without ever having held a professional photoshoot, I can imagine the basic things are being prepared (having positions, postures, lighting, equipment setups, etc planned out), keeping your model comfortable, and just generally looking as if you know what you're doing as to not slow things down or lose momentum.
Can anyone add to this? Possibly ways to go about keeping your subject at ease and giving him/her ideas as to how to pose for the camera without making yourself look amateurish? Is joking, interacting, and chatting encouraged for these types of situations?
ANY answers to these questions or additional advice is very appreciated!

[PhotosGuy]

Is joking, interacting, and chatting encouraged for these types of situations? That works. Shoot lots. You can always delete after. Tell her she looks good, & she probably will.

See Longwatcher's post: For you model guys (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62220)

[poloman]

Just relax and be yourself. Really look at the model and see what the best angles are to shoot them. Keep a light happy, cheerful mood. If you are tense, they will be too. When you are getting stuff you like, let them know.

[yogestee]

Just relax and be yourself. Really look at the model and see what the best angles are to shoot them. Keep a light happy, cheerful mood. If you are tense, they will be too. When you are getting stuff you like, let them know.

,,, and don't fiddle with your gear.. It shows your are nervous which makes your model nervous..

[shannyD]

Just relax and be yourself. Really look at the model and see what the best angles are to shoot them. Keep a light happy, cheerful mood. If you are tense, they will be too. When you are getting stuff you like, let them know.


i have been working with a local photog here in sac, and just watching him work.. makes me feel a little bit easier. he is a very easy going, happy go lucky person.. so most of the models loosen up right away.

there was only one.. who was kind of like zoolander. there was a million shots of one face. and getting her to relax was a nightmare. and i would consider this photog and myself laid back, funny, and easy to get a long with people.

but the sister who was there was too much in the mix, and nothing ever changed. so wewere glad to be done with her.

at any rate. personally for me.. i like to see what kind of music they like, and ill put some on my ipod, and just work with that from there.

shan

[breal101]

Good advice so far, being prepared is the key. One thing I learned a long time ago is never let them see you sweat. The seed of doubt planted in the mind of a client or subject grows exponentially . I shoot tethered to a laptop quite a bit, I never let them see the first pictures of a set up when adjusting lighting, poses, etc. it can be a disaster if you happen to screw up something and they see it. As others have said acting natural and friendly goes a long way to set them at ease.

[Mark1]

Keep in mind models are not people, so normal conversations cant take place....

ONLY KIDDING!!!

Nothing extrordinary is going on at a shoot. There are (not normally) multi million dollar exchanges taking place, where something worded wrong could cost you a lot. Nothing legal (other than a release) where you will trap your self in a corner and get sued..... Its just a couple of people taking a picture. Nothing to worry about other than a bad exopsure. If you are new, tell them. Unless they are new as well they will be able to tell. You dont have to be anybody other than your self.

The only thing you need to do other than you normally would, and that is to try to be a friend in like 10 minutes. People in general are uptight when they meet new people. You have to make them feel comfortable with you right away. There is not time for this to work on its own. From meeting to gone can be a short time, possibly under an hour. It takes practice buy it is possible.

[poloman]

As noted previously, it is very important that they not see you sweat.
I did a group, family portrait last year...I set up my strobes, metered the shot was about ready to go when I discovered that my power supply had failed. (yeah, it was charged. The converter failed) The internal conversation had red lights and sirens going off! The outside conversation..."I am having some trouble with this power supply...I will use this flash instead...no problem". Well the images came out great and I am doing a wedding for the daughter this November. It is very important that you not burden them with your troubles. Technical or personal.

[Apo11o]

Great advice so far you guys (and girl), thanks. Additionally to what was been said, i've also heard that not letting your model get to hot is important as well. Using cold lights (if available) and having good air-circulation helps? I can imagine having a fan running, as long as it doesn't ruin the shot, would be helpful.
I'll start off by shooting friends I think, so the befriending factor should not be too much of an issue.. for now at least.

I'm thinking that the more outgoing you are, the less attention you put on your models and the more you attract to yourself. Being talkative or silly or even willing to embarrass yourself (without making the model uncomfortable, that is) takes the pressure off of him/her, greatly boosting their confidence. I can't imagine every person is able to work that way though.

[Mark1]

I'm thinking that the more outgoing you are, the less attention you put on your models and the more you attract to yourself. Being talkative or silly or even willing to embarrass yourself (without making the model uncomfortable, that is) takes the pressure off of him/her, greatly boosting their confidence. I can't imagine every person is able to work that way though.


EXACTLY. The models are under enough pressure as they have to "perform" for you already. If you can get them thinking about something else it makes it a lot easier. Also get them to talk about stuff they like.... Ask " So when you are not modeling, what do you like to do?" Then go from there. They will usually name a hobby, and if you can get them talking while working it can work great.

[DavidSR]

Just make sure you don't hit on your models ;)...it can make some uncomfortable.

[leninglass]

What I tend to do is joke around a lot. I waited tables for 4 years so my people skills where there from the beginning. When I am in the photoshoot ( usually a girl ), I just sit them down and talk to them. Find out what they are about! While you are doing that, you look at their facial features and you start learning and figuring out what poses to use with her. Thats the art of portraiture isn't it?

Compliments go a long way. You need to let them know that they are doing their job well.

As far as what poses? Don't worry about it. What you need to do is talk to the model before hand and get them ready. Tell them to practice their poses and just move from one pose to another. I tend to get many good pictures this way.

Your location, you go hours before or a day before the shoot. Figure out the theme and ideas there. So when you are on the shoot, you have a plan on where to go and to the next.

Be calm and confident - models feel this aura. hah

[Sarah Harris Photography]

Being a new photographer for models, this forum helped me a LOT! Thanks to everyone who posted :D Because thats my biggest thing is I'm worried about it being awkward with a model. I've only shot close friends..