Do you guys normally "touch" your clients?

Bottom line is ask permission. I deal with actors and interviewees and have to hide wireless mics all the time. It goes one of two ways...
Hand them the mic and they retreat to a restroom.
Or
A PA or myself will assist with placement which involves touching them.
Even if I've worked with them a dozen times I always ask. Same mindset goes for placing models in poses. If they aren't getting it or there's an issue with wardrobe, makeup or hair...I ask before touching.
General public it's even more important.

I have a yard stick I use. I gently push them into place and if they move, WHAP! on the rump.

When you put it in quotes, you give it a rather creepy meaning so NO, I don't.

As far as legit touching, sure, if I need to. It's so quick and over I don't actually think about it and neither do they. I'll dart over, adjust, and scoot back to take the shot so fast there's no time to analyze it.

I also do demonstrations, mirroring, pointing, foot movement, etc to get the point across. Whatever I think will work, I do it.

Not a wedding photog but in a studio situation especially with females I'll always ask permission to move stray hairs or adjust an item of (outer) clothing. Even when permission is granted I will clench my fist, stick out my (pinky) wee finger and use that to move the offending item. I never use the full hand

With kids I'll always ask the parents permission to move their kid if they (or the parents) can't take or understand the directions I'm giving.

It's also culture related...

We northern Europeans tend to touch each other easily and a lot.

Unless you overdo it, it's almost implied that we touch given the right excuse.

When I'm abroad I always have to remind myself that people might not be familiar with that though...

cdifoto wrote in post #15210277
When you put it in quotes, you give it a rather creepy meaning so NO, I don't.

As far as legit touching, sure, if I need to. It's so quick and over I don't actually think about it and neither do they. I'll dart over, adjust, and scoot back to take the shot so fast there's no time to analyze it.

I also do demonstrations, mirroring, pointing, foot movement, etc to get the point across. Whatever I think will work, I do it.

This is usually how I do it. Try to demonstrate and direct first, mirroring how you want the model to move. If that seems like it's not going to work, then a gentle touch with just my fingertips on the elbow or the wrist will work, and not cause offense.

When positioning heads and faces, I'll say "point your nose toward that light, then without moving your head, point your eyes toward me." Or I'll go over and stand where I want the nose to point, and say Okay, nose toward me.. and don't move it" then I'll walk back to the camera.

btmlinedan wrote in post #15205870
That's exactly what I do, and sadly, my second shooter has a ton of shots showing me posing in a feminine position lol

yyyyyyep.

"Kick your hip out like THIS, and bend your knee like THIS, and... okay, now a surprised expression like THIS!"

well, at least it helps to break the ice.

nicksan wrote in post #15205484
I try not to, but sometimes you just have to when showing them what you want them to do. But I always ask if I can...

Same here - only if I need to and will ask first.

this is what happens when your second shooter catches you "posing" the girls...FML...

I try to use the show/mimic method as much as possible. Sometimes the subject just doesn't get it and I will touch. That touch is usually very brief in duration and is a fingertip on the shoulder, wrist, etc. as to not be instrusive on their personal space. Usually it is so brief that the subject doesn't even really notice that I am touching them and we press ahed with the shot.

btmlinedan wrote in post #15237609
this is what happens when your second shooter catches you "posing" the girls...FML...

Buahahahhha... glad im not the only Old Fat Guy that does this

umphotography wrote in post #15241832
Buahahahhha... glad im not the only Old Fat Guy that does this

hey, who you calling fat!

I think it will depend on your training and experience. A military photo studio where you do head and shoulder or full length shots all day long, will have you overcome your reluctance to touch in a hurry. Otherwise you'd never get done. The subject has to freeze in place while you tug and pull to eliminate wrinkles, use paper to pad jackets, tape to eliminate sag. Scissors to cut threads and errant hairs,

I would first ask first before I touch them - only to correct pose!