Using a mirror during a portrait shoot?

[Jamesino]

Has anyone used a hand-held mirror before for a paid, senior-style shoot? While the subject's facial expression may look proper to the photographer, it is ultimately the subject's judgement as to which shots are good because they are paying for the photos.

Wouldn't having an assistant hold a mirror next to you, while you are posing the subject, allow to much more keepers as the subject will be able to adjust their facial expressions until they have one that they like?

[JoYork]

I've never done a senior shoot but if I've done shoots at home I've always had a full length mirror handy so the models can see themselves at any time. I find it helps. Taking a mirror on a shoot sounds a good idea providing you don't mind lugging it around with you!

[DC Fan]

If you carry a notebook PC with you, an alternative is to connect the camera to the computer using the USB connection, and then run a program to display each frame on the screen as it's taken so it can be reviewed. Canon software included with the camera works well, while a third-party program, DSLR Remote Pro, (http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm) works better.

Frame-viewing software has a subtle advantage over a mirror in that it shows the image as it will be viewed, rather than reversed in the way a mirror does.