• For Photographers

Dear POPography, 

What tips do you have for interacting with your clients to make them feel more comfortable? – Leanne

 

• Know your stuff– It is important to know your camera, know your gear and know what you are doing! Scouting out the location for the best lighting and creating a shooting path will take a lot of stress off of your mind. Being prepared is half the battle. Being prepared gives you the confidence! Your clients will feel more comfortable just knowing you are prepared and ready for them. You should be able to carry a conversation, be plotting your next move, setting your camera settings, changing a lens and at the same time creating an experience that makes them feel comfy!
• Take a moment– Often times when my couple arrives for their engagement it is the first time we have met or hung out. Let’s face it- it can be daunting and stressful to get ready for photos and a little nerve racking to know you are meeting someone for the first time! PRESSURE! It is my job to make those feelings dissolve. We always take a moment to chit chat about how things are in their lives and talk about the weather or something. During this time, we are often walking to the starting point of my pre-planned route to shoot. Endorphins kill nerves and walking and talking can relax everyone!
• Set the expectation– The expectation for my photo shoots is to have FUN and to really get to know the couple! I always give the couple some tips that can really help achieve amazing photos! These aren’t rules, but they are just little tidbits of information that make them feel more comfortable.

1. Get into each other. This shoot is about both of you being crazy in love.
2. Romantic photos come as you get more comfortable…so relax into each pose and really focus on one another.
3. As a photographer, I am always looking for right before the kiss and right after the kiss moments.
4. If I disappear and you can’t find the me…just keep talking with your eyes and eventually I will come back for you 🙂
5. I don’t shooting smiling people…I typically shoot laughing people. I will be your personal entertainment for the next 2 hrs! haha

• Talk Talk Talk– I am constantly talking and validating that my couples are doing a FANtastic job. If I want them to laugh or give me genuine reaction, I will do something silly or say something that just cracks them up. I enjoy being funny and at the same time I am quite clumsy. So, it works out in my favor. Never let the conversation die. This is my time to get to know my couple. So there are questions being asked and stories being told. I want to get to know them on a deeper level so I can better tell their story during the engagement and on their wedding day.
• Posers– They are new to this. They are nervous. It is my job to ease them into this process. Here are some helpful tips to get them warmed up and ready! My goal is to get them so comfortable that they forget I am even there!

1. Have them walk for the first round of photos. Walking and “talking with their eyes”.  I have them walk at least 2 times and pose their arms for them. Again, this loosens them up and makes them realize that this is EASY!
2. Separate the couple and have them pose separate of one another. These are less emotional and more about learning how to pose and be comfortable just shooting in front of my camera.
3. Only focus on one subject at a time. For instance- have the groom look away and rest into his pose. Let the bride be your focus. This is easier than having them interact.
4. Have them walk into a pose. Or do an action of some sort! You always get a natural reaction.
5. Act out the pose for them. I always warn my brides that I act out EVERYTHING! hahah
6. Direct their eyes. In every pose, the eyes are VERY important. You can shift their weight on different legs, place their arms, make them laugh, but if  have their eyes going crazy the emotion is LOST. Tell them where there eyes should be! Example: “Bob, walk up to Sarah and whisper in her ear with your eyes closed. Sarah keep your eyes looking at this rock on the ground” GO!
7. Sit them down– This is an easy way to create intimacy and its a great way for me to get a different angle!
8. Have them run or twirl!– You can’t help but laugh and smile when you run!

• Validate!– SHOW them how amazing they look! Just one sneak peak of the back of your camera will give them that little boost they need! They ARE gorgeous. They are AWESOME.
• Save the intimate moments for LAST– By the time you have reached the end of your shoot everyone is comfortable. This should be your favorite location and your most intimate posing will take place here.

We always end with smiles, high fives and “where did the time go” conversations. I hope this tips help! Clients are trusting you not only to get amazing shots, but to also give them an experience worth raving about!

xx

Leaha

 

Here are some EXAMPLES!

Sit your clients down

 

Separate your subjects

Have one subject walk up to the other subject; Direct where their eyes should be.

Focus on one subject at a time.

Have the clients RUN!

Save the intimate moments for LAST!

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