I can't shoot people!

[Hev]

I think it's because I don't like posed shots and I feel creepy taking pictures when people don't know about it! haha

Anyone else have this problem and how do you get round it??

[peeperita]

i'm fairly shy.....so, i definitely feel creepy about taking shots of people i don't know and avoid it at all costs......

i opt for posed portraits.....usually with someone i trust......so, that i can work on my technique....

peeper

[Hev]

All my friends are either camera shy or pull stupid faces and just do that "drunk" pose with their drink! I guess I could ask my sister though!

[peeperita]

i was very honest when i asked someone to sit for me.......i said it was to help myself improve my skills......also, i asked a young woman....who i felt was less apt to ape it up and more likely to want a nice portrait of herself......

[Vallie]

I find it hard to direct people too. My daughter loves to pose, so she is great, she knows how to work the camera. But I have a lot of trouble with other people as I am so quiet and shy and feel self conscious telling them what to do. I guess it gets better with experience.

[aroberts]

I had/have the same problem of being shy and unsure of myself when directing people. I've gotten better but I still get those nervous butterflies. I've found photographing people you are comfortable with in the beginning is really helpful, because you aren't as nervous around them. I've also had my subject bring someone they are comfortable with which reduces their tension and thus mine. Eventually I figure I will be mostly past the nerves part, but we'll see! Good luck to you.

[CanonRebelz]

I've recently been photographing some good friends and stuff like that. My sister and I will go out in the yard and I'll photograph her. Usually I stay away from that fakey posed stuff (which is hard to do sometimes) and try to get them fooling around (not acting like their drunk or doing stupid faces though, lol) by maybe cracking some jokes, getting them to run around, climb fences. I've taken some great photos(I think so) when they aren't even expecting me to take a picture, candids can really turn out great sometimes. I would ask your sister or any other family members, since you say your friends are too shy/etc. Once you can prove to them that you are a good photographer(by showing them pictures that you've taken of family/things/etc) then they might take you serious and want their pictures taken.
Also, let whoever you are photographing mix it up a bit by letting them come up with some ideas (but don't let them take over too much ).