Posing maternity shoots!

[GHPhotographer]

Hi:

I don't post much on here, but, yesterday I did my first maternity shoot ever. I realized that although I took the time to sketch out posing and perhaps get ideas from the internet, that I still was having a little difficulty in being able to achieve these simple ideas. What occurred to me was, is it, perhaps, my inability to convey my idea well? Funny enough, it transformed itself into, perhaps socially, am I not as comfortable with directing people as I once thought?

So, after having come to this conclusion that perhaps its me, social phobia (I'm actually quite an extrovert) and not the "ideal" model...what should I be reading about to connect more with my client to help them loosen up and help me to settle into my stride sooner into the shoot? What can I do to help them feel comfortable with posing, since its not exactly the most natural thing to do?

Thanks for all your inputs--
Have a great day.

Amy

[Murtasma]

I like going into a shoot with a list of ideas and lighting configurations I would like to try. The less time I have to think about ways to pose the person or configure my lighting the more time I have to spend talking to her person and learning about their interests.

The more you can take their mind away from the fact there is a camera in front of them the more natural and comfortable they will be. Find out what passions they have and ask them questions about this and watch their eyes light up if they are talking about something they really love such as family, friends, hobbies or anything else that interests them.

If I can create a connection with the person, make them laugh and show them that taking pictures is fun the more relaxed they will be. I show them pictures as the session goes along asking for input on what they like and more importantly what they dislike and take actions to correct these.

When they start seeing pictures they really like they will want to pose and do whatever you ask.

Now there are people that are just terrified of taking their pictures taken. I have yet to figure out how to get these people comfortable. If anyone has any suggestions on people who instantly clam up and are to socially afraid to have a conversation please share.

[GHPhotographer]

Thanks for your insight. You are correct. Its learning to relate and connect...which is funny, because I am the kind of person that can go into a room full of strangers at any time and strike a conversation, find a parallel and am able to have an amicable discourse with them. However, when it comes to directional photography, it seems I get stage fright! HA! I suppose I can take the same "swagger" or approach to trying to have a conversation to get to know them whilst shooting, which actually never occurred at first! HA!

I guess, too, since I haven't really actively pursued until lately getting clientele that actually knows they're being photographed, I need to learn what works on the camera for certain people. To me, there's two obstacles I want to overcome, and they are: 1. Getting the subject comfortable with my posing in their skin, and 2. Translating #1 onto the camera. I've become accustomed to (loosely based) photojournalism. So, I think I also need to find a good text to read about human nature, because, after all, we are trying to capture the essence of a person more than anything! (Here I go waxing philosophical...)

BTW, you shoot on the east side of the state? I'm as far west as one can get on the "gold coast" of Michigan...ha. Is your side of the state as saturated with quasi-photographers as mine?

All the best,

Amy

[Murtasma]

I suggest getting a few good books on portrait lighting and buying a foam head to practice on. See if you can find several different foam heads to choose from so you can experiment with light placement for different shapes of head. I think the more comfortable you will be with the craft the more sure you will be of your abilities which will induce confidence in you.

Confidence goes a long way and is often sufficient enough to over come any fears or technical limitations you may currently face.

There are a lot of people over here in the Ann Arbor area that I see shooting with DSLRs. Mostly people with entry level SLRs and kit lens or cheep telephoto glass. I've seen a few photographers with higher end gear but not often. I would say the majority are people just starting out who shoot portraits with the sun facing the back of the person.