Comfort Levels

[Jason Moon]

What tips do you have for making people comfortable when you take their photograph? Any particular key words you tell them as you take their photograph and do you also have conversations with them as well? Honestly this regards working with models, female or male. Individual or small group.

[harroz]

It depends on what you're shooting, a commercial portrait of Lawyer partners is different to shooting a model or a family group. It's common sense. But mostly the more conversation you have the better, don't be frightened to speak. If I'm finding it hard I'll usually use the shoot itself, explaining what I'm doing or something. With models I think this is a must, explain everything, the more you explain what you visualize, why the light from there, what you want it to show, blah blah blah. the more she/he knows what you're looking for the better the image will look, it's a 2 way thing, not just you with human dolls.

know your equipment like the back of your hand, this gives your mind more room for other thoughts, namely conversation. talk, explain.