Photographers: 5 Tips on Making your Subjects feel great in front of the lens

Having your photo taken is a vulnerable thing. As a photographer, it is important to ensure that your subject, whether they are a collaborator or a client, feels comfortable in front of the lens and confident that you will guide them so that the resulting photos are something you can both be proud of. If you’re looking for five easy ways to gain the trust of your subject and ensure that you capture them in an authentic way, read on below!

1. Get to know them a bit first. It’s easy to try to get straight to work, but taking the time to ask your client questions about how they are goes a long way. Even basic small talk like how their commute to you went, what they did over the weekend, what they like to do on their downtime… these help the client to feel comfortable, and also assist you in getting a sense of who they are and how they look when their face is relaxed, without the pressure of posing for the camera. If they have brought their own wardrobe you can do this while going through the options they brought to shoot in. The goal is to create a relaxed space in which they feel valued for who they are before they step in front of the lens. This is also a good time for you to share a bit about yourself (without going on a long tangent, of course) so they can get a sense of you! Remember: you’re building a relationship before you start shooting so that your subject feels confident and comfortable being themselves and getting creative in front of the camera.

2. Be a good host! Ask them what kind of music makes them feel good - and play it. It seems obvious but music is a fantastic tool for setting a mood. Unless you’re going for something very specific in terms of the mood of the photo, go for something that makes your client/model feel good. Having something familiar like music they love will allow them to feel more at home in your studio, which will allow them to be more authentic in front of the lens. Offering some water/tea/coffee is also helpful. Having someone in your studio is like having someone over at your home. Think about how you would treat a guest in your home and extend the same level of courtesy to your client.

3. Be prepared before your client arrives. Don’t waste your client’s time by setting up your lighting once they arrive. Be prepared before they arrive at your studio so you only have to make minor adjustments once they are in front of the lens. From the moment they walk into your space your focus should be on them. If they are a client ensure they feel you are aware of what they are trying to achieve and reflect it back to them so they can trust that you’re on their team and professional. If they are a creative collaborator you can offer the same level of care, and make an effort to ensure that they feel their ideas and opinions are valuable. You are collaborating in every shoot; a model is never just a moving piece of furniture but a person who needs to be treated with respect. Showing a professional level of preparation will earn you the trust of the client, as well as create space and time to get to know them so you can capture them in an authentic and creative way.
   

1. Communicate. Give consistent feedback, both positive and constructive. Especially when you first begin shooting and you’re still working out your settings and your subject is finding their flow, take the time to explain what’s happening. Let your model know that you’re still camera testing, when you are, and when you’ve finished adjusting your settings, let them know that you are ready to properly start. As you shoot: tell them how what they are doing with their face/body is working - remember: you are their outside eyes. If your subject can trust you to give them both positive and constructive feedback they will be more comfortable taking risks and trying new things. Especially as you are both finding your flow, giving a little bit of constructive feedback (i.e. “chin down a bit - great” or “shoulders back - yes, fantastic”) will let your model know that they are supported and that you are going to give them guidance when they need it.

2. Offer to let them see some of what you’ve shot so far. I know! A lot of photographers don’t like showing their photos as they go along. If you’re shooting headshots for actors then you know this is something you have to do, as well as with a lot of portraits/paying clients. But even with creative shoots it’s super helpful to your subject to see what the atmosphere of the photo is, and to see how they are playing within the frame. It will help your model to make more conscious choices about what they do with the lighting, how they move in the wardrobe, how they communicate with the lens. You don’t have to show them all the photos; just show them one or two that you like so they can feel confident in what you’re creating together and use the information to continue to create it.