Getting people to be comfortable in their photo sessions and getting the best out of it can be pretty difficult and tiring at times. You need to have this knowledge and how to practically implement it if you want to be a Professional. Portrait photography is already a very difficult subject to master given the technical details you need to pay heed to. On top of this, you have to effectively deal with clients to make them at home. Only then will you be able to produce the desired results. Let’s take a look at the ways you can make your client comfortable.
Assess the personality
Portrait photography is actually capturing the personality of the subject. Even before you start the photo session you need to assess and determine what type of personality your client has and how your treatment should change based on this information. No two people can exactly be the same. Some will be extroverts taking in conversations and instructions as easily as anything while others will be staunch introverts shying away from any directions you give them. The key to a successful photoshoot lies in your intuition and professional approach to deal with people. Make up your mind and then treat them accordingly for fine results.
Have a chat
Establishing a friendly relation with your clients is not something unheard of and should be practiced as often as possible in every field and moment. Chat with your clients before you shoot and make them comfortable. Ask them about their work routines and personal habits. Anything that brings them inside their comfort zone and they start feeling at ease and home with you. Relaxing them and taking out the rigidity if it exists should be your goal. Reaching that point will have a significant impact on your outcome.
Guide them through every pose and angle
While many people are reluctant and shy by nature, a majority of them are simply nervous about what to do and how to respond to instructions they might not understand in the due course. Take away this hesitation and nervousness by guiding them through every step. You can hold a small briefing session in the beginning as well as take every moment and opportunity to sail them through the moments of posing and smile and correct orientation. Make them as comfortable and easy as you can.
Compliment them as often as possible
What you really want to capture onscreen is not a rigid and nervous face but a confident one looking with eagerness into the lens. This might seem far-fetched at first thought but is actually very possible. Compliment your client as often as possible and on every little detail, you find fascinating. It’s strongly advised that you should refrain from showing pictures to your clients during the photo session, you can assure them that they are doing a fantastic job and pictures look marvelous. This will put a confident and pleasant smile on their faces as well as an upright stature marking a happy person. This glow will also be captured on your screen giving the picture a new aura.
Lighten the air
Remember to have some jokes and topics ready to narrate when things get a bit stuffed in the studio. Lightning the mood and getting all the people comfortable will be extremely beneficial in the long run. Your clients will trust you more as throwing a few jokes and narrations will help build their trust in your which will lead to accurate carrying out of instructions and exact posing. This will save a lot of effort in terms of time and stress on part of the client and staff along with yourself.
Don’t rush
It doesn’t matter how much time you have left, don’t rush your session as it will be extremely detrimental to your overall results. Trying to wrap up things in a very short span of time will not only affect the duration of the shoot but will also invariably result in decreased quality and production. Reschedule your sessions if you have to, instead of rushing to complete them. Do not trade your skill and quality for something as little as a simple lack of time.
Project confidence
Most of the clients make up a perception in their minds and then follow your instructions according to the impression they have about you. Extend a confident appeal to anyone approaching you for business and photos and you will realize its reflection from the second party. Deal with everything in a calm and composed manner that shows your experience and talent and everything will fall in place for you.
Maintain professionalism
In all of the above points do not forget to maintain a professional attitude. Talking and showing your friendly nature does not relax the requirements of your profession and keeping them apace is the only thing that’ll guarantee your success.