What am i to do!?

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

i concur with wal with the 100 day stranger portrait idea. 2 years ago, when i was 14, i did a summer long portrait project called the $2 portrait, which i made the $5 portrait. Basically, i found a homeless person, and offered them $5 if they allowed me to take their photo and hear their story. of course, this may be a bit weird at that age, and i did it with my dad's accompaniment, but it's definitely something to try.

as far as clothing goes, i wouldnt be too concerned, because i'm assuming they're from your peer group, and i doubt that they'll ever have these photos submitted as part of their modeling resume. (well, what do i know? they'll probably be fantastic enough that they should be!). I'd say, stick to colours, but otherwise, let them choose whatever they like. Clothing is pretty personal, an actually does show alot of the person.

also, just take pictures! are your friends just talking? bring up your camera, take a picture! many of my est shots from back then were totally candid! dont forget, they may have their jitters too, but make sure they know its just you and them. As far as what i do now, it depends. When i'm doing a shoot in my school's "studio" i play music (i have awesome teachers), i talk, and i have them talk to me as well. Portraiture is a very social photography, versus wildlife or landscape. If i'm just walking around school with my camera, i do similarly. They're your friends, so it should be a lot easier than working with a couple of teachers who you never even talked to before (funny story about that).

Thing is, just keep shooting, the more shoots you have, the better you become and the more comfortable you become behind the camera with people you dont know. Dont be afraid to take command of poses and such. Many kids like to do the same pose. Duck face and peace sign and all that. As the photographer, you control what you want them to do, and if you need them to stand some where specific, do so. and just take pictures. give them the ones you feel are the best, nothing more. remember, your work reflects you.