How do you get people to loosen up and be themselves?

So the thing I am having the hardest time with is trying to get people to feel comfortable in front of a camera and just loosen up and be themselves. I know it is awkward when they are being photographed by someone they do not know very well.

But, what do you guys do to make them feel more comfortable and get them to be happy and smile?

it depends on the type of shoot and how much time you have. if you are talking about personal/family portrait sessions, take 5 minutes to chat before diving in. ask questions and listen. if it's a couple, ask how they met, what's their favorite place to hang out, where their from, where they live. if they are from or live in a place you're not that familiar with, get them to give you the names of their favorite places to eat. take some time to find some common ground. ask them what's the silliest thing they've done together (that they can tell you about).

also, take a moment to run them through the process. tell them we're going to start with some awkward ice-breaker shots, then move into the more comfortable shots, and wind up with some spectacular high-personality shots.

"OK, I'm just going to take a few test shots to check my lighting; just relax there for a bit and I'll let you know when we get started."

Many (if not most) of my best shots come during those first 2-3 minutes of shooting.

Tequila

Music


and Tequila

Jim Beam?

Ratjack wrote in post #15853771
So the thing I am having the hardest time with is trying to get people to feel comfortable in front of a camera and just loosen up and be themselves. I know it is awkward when they are being photographed by someone they do not know very well.

But, what do you guys do to make them feel more comfortable and get them to be happy and smile?

To start, the photographer needs to have the social skills to put people at ease. If the person behind the camera has any sort of neuroses or emotional issues, that will be reflected in the way the photo subjects are treated.

Effective people photography requires two types of experience, the technical experience to handle equipment, and life experience where you have learned how to deal with real people. If you insist on total control of a situation, or are uneasy with strangers, you'll never be able to deal with these situations. Social skills can't be learned from a forum posting. It starts with not being in the isolation that many photographers find themselves. Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to be able to make small talk and to generate the empathy to understand how potential subjects will react. You may need to spend a few years getting out and dealing with real people.

DC Fan wrote in post #15854690
To start, the photographer needs to have the social skills to put people at ease. If the person behind the camera has any sort of neuroses or emotional issues, that will be reflected in the way the photo subjects are treated.

Effective people photography requires two types of experience, the technical experience to handle equipment, and life experience where you have learned how to deal with real people. If you insist on total control of a situation, or are uneasy with strangers, you'll never be able to deal with these situations. Social skills can't be learned from a forum posting. It starts with not being in the isolation that many photographers find themselves. Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to be able to make small talk and to generate the empathy to understand how potential subjects will react. You may need to spend a few years getting out and dealing with real people.

I couldn't agree more.

Tell silly jokes. Come out of your shell and don't be afraid to act a little foolish.

Keep talking. If you fall silent or clam up, the silence becomes unbearable to the model, they'll think something's wrong. Even if you have to fiddle with the gear a little bit, keep talking while you do it.

Play music. Cue up a Pandora station or something. Everyone loves a little Journey every now and then.

When I'm photographing women, I give exaggerated physical demonstrations of the poses I want them to try. That almost always lightens the mood.

If all else fails, tequila.

DC Fan wrote in post #15854690
To start, the photographer needs to have the social skills to put people at ease. If the person behind the camera has any sort of neuroses or emotional issues, that will be reflected in the way the photo subjects are treated.

Effective people photography requires two types of experience, the technical experience to handle equipment, and life experience where you have learned how to deal with real people. If you insist on total control of a situation, or are uneasy with strangers, you'll never be able to deal with these situations. Social skills can't be learned from a forum posting. It starts with not being in the isolation that many photographers find themselves. Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to be able to make small talk and to generate the empathy to understand how potential subjects will react. You may need to spend a few years getting out and dealing with real people.

...I don't think it can be said enough: but this is very very well said.

I've mentioned a few times that I come from the hospitality industry, and I've mentioned once that I'm an introvert. One of the main reasons why I entered into hospitality was because I suffered from crippling shyness and I needed to find a way to work through it.

Fifteen years on I still suffer from crippling shyness. But if you see me with clients or on a photoshoot you would never ever know it. I'm fantastic with people on the job. I'm terrible at a cocktail party. If you've never really dealt with people before, then you need to go out there and deal with them: its the only way to learn.

Be at ease yourself, humans read other humans easily, and you are the natural leader in the situation. Everyone will play off of your mood. If you are confident, easy going, having fun, it will rub off on your clients. If you are uptight and nervous, your clients will follow that lead also.

Thank you very much! Lots of good information here. LOL tequila :P. I am still starting out and doing free shoots to build up my portfolio and to gain more experience before charging. I have a shoot later today for a couple's 5 year old daughter. And on Monday, I have an engagement shoot which is going to hopefully open up another door since they have a friend who needs one as well. I will be using everything you guys said here... except maybe the tequila haha.

Ratjack wrote in post #15857625
Thank you very much! Lots of good information here. LOL tequila :P. I am still starting out and doing free shoots to build up my portfolio and to gain more experience before charging. I have a shoot later today for a couple's 5 year old daughter. And on Monday, I have an engagement shoot which is going to hopefully open up another door since they have a friend who needs one as well. I will be using everything you guys said here... except maybe the tequila haha.

What I read was... free shots of tequila! Hopefully not for the 5 year old

i once had a client who was a stripper... her first shoot with me, she was nervous and overthinking her poses...

i told her, "Let's take a break. You need to shake the nerves out."

she asked me what i recommend...

i told her, "Go smoke a bowl or rub one out!"

i was totally kidding, but 15 minutes later, she totally rocked the shoot...

so, to this day, i will crack the joke to nervous clients to "Go smoke a bowl or rub one out."

DISCLAIMER... doesn't always work with new clients who don't know you... CREEP FACTOR beware...

DC Fan wrote in post #15854690
To start, the photographer needs to have the social skills to put people at ease. If the person behind the camera has any sort of neuroses or emotional issues, that will be reflected in the way the photo subjects are treated.

Effective people photography requires two types of experience, the technical experience to handle equipment, and life experience where you have learned how to deal with real people. If you insist on total control of a situation, or are uneasy with strangers, you'll never be able to deal with these situations. Social skills can't be learned from a forum posting. It starts with not being in the isolation that many photographers find themselves. Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to be able to make small talk and to generate the empathy to understand how potential subjects will react. You may need to spend a few years getting out and dealing with real people.

agree 100%

I also feel like sometimes being a little on the silly side will help people understand that life isn't very serious. Some jokes, making some goofy faces or poses while trying to show the subject what you have in mind, etc go a long way towards helping them open up.