Breaking the Ice ?

I was curious to know if any of you have any fun techniques for breaking the ice on engagement shoots, wedding shoots, or just shoots in general I guess. Family can also be a good one.

When you have a group of people looking at you blankly waiting to be told what to do, and you want to get something fun out of them... how do you go about that?

Just looking for some new interesting ideas! :]

Use what your name implies...booze, lots of them if that don't work, nothing will. But if you don't wanna use that, how about a warm smile telling them to wait a sec. while you find your camera manual? works every time for me.

This may not help depending on your personality type, but it's what works for me. It's just a matter of having a warm and engaging personality. I come into all of my shoots like we're old friends, I have a good sense of humor and keep a light atmosphere about me, and I simply try to turn the entire event into a good time for everyone. No "kissing game" or any other gimmicky type of things which can feel fake and contrived.

I start shooting with lens cap on lol most of the time I honestly forget about it (don't tell anyone!)...works like a charm, people start laughing..

Svetlana wrote in post #9728473
I start shooting with lens cap on lol most of the time I honestly forget about it (don't tell anyone!)...works like a charm, people start laughing..

LOL!!! this is great!!

Svetlana wrote in post #9728473
I start shooting with lens cap on lol most of the time I honestly forget about it (don't tell anyone!)...works like a charm, people start laughing..

Haha I've got to try that next

Svetlana wrote in post #9728473
I start shooting with lens cap on lol most of the time I honestly forget about it (don't tell anyone!)...works like a charm, people start laughing..

We all do that.

We do all do that, right?

And I think if you were to sum up all the posts, the answers are all the same. The way you carry yourself will rub off on your subjects. If you go in and are rushed or very mechanical, we'll you get what give. But go in and have a good time with it, well, once again, you get what you give.

thankfully, I don't do many E-shoots, but when I do just talk to them. How did they meet, how long ago, who asked who out, a memorable date, when did he/she propose, etc.

PMCphotography wrote in post #9732114
thankfully, I don't do many E-shoots, but when I do just talk to them. How did they meet, how long ago, who asked who out, a memorable date, when did he/she propose, etc.

One of my favorite things to do when I'm shooting them very close is ask him to give her the pick up line he originally used on her; they always laugh and get into the spirit of things.

I love doing e-shoots; one thing that always gets a nice laugh out of my couple is I have a black t-shirt with "SHE SAID YES!" in big white letters, and I have the guy hold it up while the girl laughs, kisses his cheek, rolls her eyes, whatever.

Svetlana wrote in post #9728473
I start shooting with lens cap on lol most of the time I honestly forget about it (don't tell anyone!)...works like a charm, people start laughing..

Ha, I can actually see you doing that!!

I dunno what I do, i just babble away about stuff...then see a spot i like and run like a child to that spot and say ' oh oh oh lets start here!!!!"

There's a sticky about this you might wanna check out...