What’s Your Preference?

rachb · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 01:03 AM

So here's the situation: I've been doing portfolio building shoots for a small fee for about 2 months after shooting for fun for 4 years. I have always been a people person, and I am pretty confident in my photography skills for what I'm doing and who I'm looking to market to. BUT when you get me in front of people with my camera, I freeze up and don't act like my normal, relaxed self.

I get on location early enough to scope out the best spots so we can keep it moving, take some test shots so I can figure out the ideal settings, come prepared with ideas and poses (although I know I need to be more creative with both), and generally feel confident in the quality of work I'm providing. Any advice? It would be VERY helpful if you could outline your typical 1 hour portrait/family shoot in whatever format you feel best explains it! Thanks!

kokabeel · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 05:26 AM

I used to feel like that when I worked at a portrait studio. The one thing that got me into doing the shoot more, and getting the creative juices flowing was to talk with the family before hand, and outline what they wanted. what we wanted, and things we could try. I'd also spend a bit of time(an hour or so) each day when I got to work looking over websites for different poses, and what not. Plus getting right in there, and engaging with the child(ren) really set the mood for me. If they were happy we'd have a good shoot.

You could do some of the things I've done if you wanted. Or you could try a few things out that may help you with anxiety. Maybe sipping on some tea before, or meditating. I still get jitters from time to time.

ajsuk · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 12:24 PM

Why are the people with the most talent often so insecure?

Just had a look at your stuff, if I could shoot half as well there'd be no stopping me. =)

bhursey · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajsuk

Why are the people with the most talent often so insecure?

Just had a look at your stuff, if I could shoot half as well there'd be no stopping me. =)

LOL im majorly insecure about my sessions does that mean I have talent also. Yes I agree nice work.

Anyways what I normally do is basically know the first 30 min is throw away time. I get to know the subject. Ask them what they do and like and so on. I also tell them what im doing so they are not just sitting there when I am fiddling with my settings. Like I will say I am testing out the light so you can relax. Most of the time I actually use those shots because they don't know im taking them to keep haha. So they are natural. Normally while shooting i am actively talking to them about stuff they like so I can relate to them. Normally by the end of the shoot we are all cracking up laughing and having a blast. I dont really pose them. I let them get conferrable natural then ask them to move certain ways to tweak. I normally will go and stand like I want them to to show them sorta what im looking for. I normally will have them relax in between areas, and give the breaks. So they do not get all stiff. I don't really give a time constraint I say 1-2 hours and normally we are done in one hour.

I still always get very nervous headed to any shoot. Its like im getting ready for a test and am heading to college freaking out with stress. Normally before weddings I am not able to sleep the night before. The trick is once you get there start to get to know the subject get joking with them and both you and the subject will distress.

rachb · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 07:45 PM

Thank you for all the advice and the compliments. Bhursey- I'm assuming in your last sentence you meant "destress"

. Good to know that I'm not the only one who feels like this. I am getting to the point where I feel I can start charging for sessions as far as knowing my camera, getting good results and shots, etc.. but without the people skills to go along with it, I have a feeling I won't get too far. Thanks for the suggestions guys!!!

On a related note: Do you use any "photographer" lines during shoots? I usually find that "Pretend you love each other" works to get a laugh (cliche, yes, but it's new to the client), are there any more that you use routinely?

fofazoju · #6 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 07:55 PM

SAME HERE! I don't have any advice though :P I find I fiddle with my camera and "forget" everything because I just feel SO much pressure - all these people just staring at me. I am getting better though.

For me what works - think of the most difficult thing you have been through, and remember that you have been through THAT so you can get through the photo session. Build yourself up in your head, either with your photography skills or just you in GENERAL. Try and make yourself understand that the people staring you down through the lens are really lucky because soon they are going to have AWESOME photos that had you not been there they wouldn't have had.

I dont know - it kinda works for me but I just wanted to post a reply because I feel the SAME. I know I am decent, and I know I have some good skills, but in the back of my mind I am always waiting for that nightmare session where NOTHING works and it is all terrible. haha, I need to stop that though.

Good luck!!

scootermcq · #7 (**permalink**) 11-28-2011, 09:05 PM

Never underestimte the power of alcohol... works wonders

Niresangwa · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2011, 02:31 AM

To be honest, what you're lacking isn't confidence, it's experience.

Anxiety is the natural reaction to being unsure of the outcome. The more times you've been through a particular situation, the sure you can be of how it will probably turn out, and therefore, the less anxious you are.

While you very well may be confident in your technical ability, and even confident in your plan by scouting locations, neither of those can prepare you for actually being the photographer, and al of the people skills that go with it, aside from doing it.

People can give you all the tips in the world, and little gag lines etc. but until you've got several dozen shoots under your belt, they're not going to help that much. All the planning in the world won't help you here.

Just give it time. Like Brian, the first couple of weddings I did, I was starting to worry about them 3 or 4 days out. Small shoots like portraits or engagements used to freak me out in the beginning... these days, not at all... rather than checking my gear and checking my timeline and thinking about shots and locations and getting snippy and worried, I;m laying on the couch or putzing around on the internet and don't even think about it...

As with anything, like your camera, you can't just pick it up and be comfortable in the beginning. It takes time... so just calm down, put your time in and pay your dues.

On one hand, there's nothing that can really help. On the other, just know it's like any other learning curve, you just need experience and it goes away.