Tips for better interactions with event photography?

I recently started doing photos for a company that puts on races and they want me to go around the crowds and take candid and portraits of the people. I've really enjoyed it and think I do a good job but I feel a little weak on my skills of interacting with the people to get them comfortable and lead to more natural photos.

Do you pros have any tips and techniques to share on how to approach a person or group at an event and get them excited to have their picture taken?

Thank you for any advice.

ib2loud wrote in post #18921255
I recently started doing photos for a company that puts on races and they want me to go around the crowds and take candid and portraits of the people. I've really enjoyed it and think I do a good job but I feel a little weak on my skills of interacting with the people to get them comfortable and lead to more natural photos.

Do you pros have any tips and techniques to share on how to approach a person or group at an event and get them excited to have their picture taken?

Thank you for any advice.

I've got a lot to learn myself in this department, but most of my fellow photographers who are good at this are comfortable in their own skin, and are not shy about what they are doing - in other words, they say - either verbally or through their body language and facial expression - that they are there to make photos and they'd like to take photos of a person or a group of people. They have an easy smile and good disposition, and don't have the camera glued to their face before they "sell" the idea to a subject of having their photo taken. It also helps to have your camera pretty much ready (that is, proper exposure and so on) before making the pitch.

Imagine YOURSELF in their shoes, "Just who IS this guy...and why does he want to take photos of us?".

So present yourself to THEM! "My name is Bob, and the race organizers have requested me to take photos of race attendees...(for whatever purposes the organizers told you)" It helps if you have some official looking badge to back up your statement, to help set them at ease.

Wilt wrote in post #18921290
Imagine YOURSELF in their shoes, "Just who IS this guy...and why does he want to take photos of us?".

So present yourself to THEM! "My name is Bob, and the race organizers have requested me to take photos of race attendees...(for whatever purposes the organizers told you)" It helps if you have some official looking badge to back up your statement, to help set them at ease.

I do have a bright vest that says 'Event Photographer' on it so that helps. For the most part it's good and most people see the camera and start to pose immediately. I just know I could probably do better at selling myself as you said so that's my main concern for improvement right now.


Thanks for the advice to both of you!

Be authentic and polished. A little buzz from a drink or two always helps...

Look people in the eye and smile. Thats about it.