“The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but the impulse it gives her to keep on looking.”
~ Brooks Atkinson ~ 1951, Once Around the Sun
When my photographer friend and professional peer, Heather McLaughlin, suggested we take studio portraits of one another I jumped at the opportunity to “play” in front of the camera and to be a model for a day. Of course, as soon as I jumped I panicked. It’s been many, many years since I’ve been the subject of a shoot and I now have the extra pounds, wrinkles, and grey hairs to prove it. That said, I knew this would be an excellent exercise in remembering what it feels like to be the subject. It was that and more. Here is just a small sampling of the portrait shots that I took of Miss Heather McLaughlin:
Below is one of the portraits Heather was kind enough to create for me, and I couldn’t be happier with it. You can see more of her work at www.HeatherMcLaughlin.com.
I must say, it was quite a strange sensation to be in front of the lens after all this time and now as a professional photographer. Thankfully, if for no other reason than Heather’s own technical expertise and personal approach, I found myself surprisingly comfortable in her hands. More than comfortable, I caught myself feeling FREE?!?!?! Admittedly, that’s an experience I rarely had in all my years modeling and acting on set. This got me wondering, What makes for great energy on set? What can I do as the photographer and what can the client do as the subject? Here’s some of what I’ve come up with …
Top Basic Tips for A Great Shooting Environment:
There are some obvious strategies for keeping a photographer’s energy high and for helping a client to feel relaxed, which everyone should know: 1) Greeting the subject with a warm and approachable energy, 2) Pampering the client with a flawless Hair & Makeup session, 2) Playing a subject’s favorite music, 3) Asking them to do something ridiculous to shake off stiff energy, 4) Positioning their bodies in the most flattering angles, 5) Having snacks, water, and beverages handy to keep sugar levels stable, and, 6) Being prepared with a loose shot list. But these are just the basic first steps, which should be givens. But what are some tips that maybe aren’t so obvious?
The Psychology Behind Portrait Photography:
A great portrait photographer is intuitive, curious, empathetic, and sensitive to their subject’s sense of the experience. There’s that quote by Maya Angelou, “In the end people won’t remember what you said, people won’t remember what you did, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.” And that is definitely true of how clients will remember their photography sessions. Here’s what I mean. When clients say, “I’m not photogenic,” what they’re really saying is, “I’m not comfortable in front of the camera and I’m depending on you to help me.” As the “directors” on our shoots, we have to remember that helping the client to feel fabulous is as much a part of our job description as providing the best lighting and shooting the best composition. It’s not enough for us photographers to simply show up with fancy equipment, provide the space, and put the success of the shoot on the subject’s shoulders {although many top photographers forget this}. Similarly, it’s not enough for the subject to show up with only their wardrobe and yet no intention or goal. There must be an invested, engaged, and intimate exchange happening between the photographer and the subject at all times. So how can you help to ensure this happens?
Top Tips for an Engaging Photo Shoot:
In my experience, a Pre-Design Consultation is your first key to a successful shoot. In talking with my clients at length, before the shoot, I can essentially draw myself a road map for what they’re looking to achieve in their session. It’s my opportunity to share not only how I approach the work but, more importantly, to ask what works best for them. Do they respond well to direction or does it make them feel shut down? Do they want help with body positioning or will that freeze them up? Do they want a shoot that’s wildly alive with fun dance music or would they prefer a more reflective mood with quieter instrumental soundtracks? These questions {along with others about their style, their home decor, their hobbies, their careers, their goals, etc} help me to create honest photographs that really reflect who they are.
The second, equally essential, component to a successful shoot is to encourage your subject to get clear on Who They Are and What They Want to Portray. In my studio, I’ve designed a Photo Shoot Enhancement Tool which I send out to clients when we confirm their booking. It’s an exercise that helps clients to get focused on their intentions for their session. This way, when they’re on set and maybe getting a little camera shy or overly focused on their insecurities – we can redirect their attention to their exercise answers. Before long we’ve regrouped, gotten them grounded and present, and are back taking authentic portraits. It’s the best remedy for those vacant looking shots that happen when a subject becomes more focused on his/her flaws then on being in the moment.
Top Tips for How to Pose your Subject:
Another great strategy for helping your client to feel and look his/her best is to guide their poses. There are three points I want to make about posing. First, you want to strike a healthy balance between letting your client “play” in front of the camera and directing their movements for what you know will make a solid shot. By letting your client play and pose in a way that they think looks best, you essentially boost their confidence and capture them in their most relaxed state. A key to doing this well is to emphasize what IS working, rather than focus on what’s not working. For example rather than say, “That doesn’t work, you look angry,” simply say, “Great, now let’s try …” and suggest whatever it is you’re needing them to adjust. Embarrassing the client by implying they’re doing it wrong does you no good, the client no good, and the shoot no good. So keep it positive and erase the shots that didn’t work later on during your edit.
Second, once you feel like you’ve let your subject(s) feel confident and in control, gently start to add in more direction and then slow down their posing. For me, physical touch has always worked well but you have to do it with the client’s consent and a lot of communication. For example, I always try and tell clients {women especially} what I’m about to adjust and why I’m making the tweak. I’ll say, “Ok, let’s just kiss your elbows together behind your back and that’ll give you nice lean and tall look,” as I gently position them. This way the client doesn’t feel violated, doesn’t feel shut down for doing it wrong, and he/she learns a quick tip on how to pose better even for casual candid shots. It’s a win-win.
Third, going back to that idea of the shot list {a tactic that Heather’s really great at utilizing}, make sure you’re getting varied angles and a range of emotions. Whether it’s a headshot or an heirloom portrait session, variety is key. Take your clients on a ride that has them feeling silly, feeling sexy, feeling reflective and you’re sure to have an incredible shoot with lots of top choices.
Again, these are only a few of the things that a photographer can do to make for a stronger photo shoot experience and to guarantee a better finished result. Of course, every artist has his or her own style and approach. Feel free to join the conversation and share your keys to success by commenting below!
To book a Headshot, Heirloom Portrait, or Wedding photography session email info@thelegacyboutique.com.
by Karen
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