Getting subjects to "Loosen up"?

[int0xicatedxluv]

Do any of you have any tactics...say for when shooting couples to get them to laugh, smile, etc so that the photos look fun/ yet natural?

I mean is it really as simple as just saying "ok laugh"... "ok kiss" lol

Just seems so...stiff.

[FlyingPhotog]

You can "aggressively" direct people or you can back off a bit and just let them be themselves and observe and document.

[int0xicatedxluv]

I generally am the observe and document kinda gal. I always have been...

but there are times when direction is needed. I guess maybe just practice makes perfect ha

[FlyingPhotog]

I generally am the observe and document kinda gal. I always have been...

but there are times when direction is needed. I guess maybe just practice makes perfect ha

Indeed... ;)

[Roy G. Biv]

Meet at a local bar. Go over the shoot over a couple of drinks. Not you.. You just drink club soda, or if necessary adjust the diopter to correct for your blurry vision. This gets all of the looseness you need :)

[JeffreyG]

Meet at a local bar. Go over the shoot over a couple of drinks. Not you.. You just drink club soda, or if necessary adjust the diopter to correct for your blurry vision. This gets all of the looseness you need :)

I was going to suggest Tequila shooters.

[Travis Forsyth]

I was going to suggest Tequila shooters.

Cheap wine coolers and a game of twister.


So far I put my people skills to work and just chatted the subject with some light clean humor while instructing them and before you know it they get over the fact I was holding a camera. Just don't chat them to the point where they are just standing there and you are wasting time.

[Wilt]

Get them to TALK about something they like or are fond of. A tactic I use with children is to get them to describe their favorite toys...like little girls just beam when they think about the 'favorite dollie'.