Help with posing Model/Clients

[Kt56]

I bought a bunch of Alienbee strobes and everything is coming to together great, but I when I am shooting people I don't know what to say or how to have them pose. I do a lot of on location shoots and instead of trying to incorporate the textures and the surrounds I end up just shooting head shots.

Can someone give me some advice...Please?

[breathless]

What type of shoots are you referring to? Family portraits? Actor portfolios? Dancers? Corporate portraits? Lifestyle? Seniors?

Perhaps planning and preparation will be helpful? If the lights are getting in the way of your concentration, maybe it'll be good to shoot with minimal technical challenges, until you become more confident?

[Kt56]

I have done some lifestyle, and soon to shoot a 6 man band. Here is one from a couple weekends ago. He didn't wanna smile or any thing, just wanted a straight forward shot...and thats what I gave him haha

http://i40.tinypic.com/ye1wx.jpg

[breathless]

That's a cool shot. As for the posing, locations, mood, etc., it's important that the client gets what he wants. I believe a good photographer will also provide other options which the client may not already know he wants. Through conversation, suggestions, and know-how, you may try several poses, moods, angles, themes, lighting styles, etc.,which the client will find valuable. Offering creative options and solid execution are certainly factors to good business and higher sales.

If you think in the above terms, you may find yourself forced to be creative and get the artistic and technical wheels turning, so to use during your shoots.

All the best!