- "I definitely need a new head shot, but I know I won't look good on the picture"
- "My publisher says I need a photo of me in my office space for the article, but who's going to do it and what do I do on the picture?"
- "I was working on the promos for my company and I looked so fake on all my pictures"
- "My clients are big companies and I can't look that stupid on the first picture they see of me!"
- "I don't take good pictures"
- etc. etc. etc.
Sounds familiar? I'd bet...
What surprised me a lot in the beginning of my photo career was that most of the people who get in front of my lens actually think it's up to them to come out well in my photograph. And recently I was reminded of that as well, and it brought me to mention it here on the blog:
Subject can't know what the light is setup like, can't see what photographer sees through the lens, color or black and white, in studio or on location...
Subject also (most likely) doesn't have even a basic understanding of the composition, and certainly not the effect that the equipment is set to create.
In other words, when you come in to take a photograph, the only thing a photographer should expect of you is to give them a clear explanation what the picture is going to be used for, what mood/energy you need to create in it, possibly poses that you like or dislike, and may be a variety of other useful little details about yourself and what you'd like to achieve.
But when everything is setup and you get in there, you can relax and have a photographer guide you completely. The more relaxed you are the better, so the faster you get into that state - the sooner we'll start taking good pictures :).
That said.. it usually takes about an hour for a subject to wind down from the anxiety (and probably meeting a new person for the first time - me). That's why you should expect your session to be at least an hour long. Most likely much longer, especially if you're going for different looks and/or setups.
And even longer if there's more people involved - hair/make up/stylist.
It definitely helps to have a friend with you to get into the "working mode" faster. It also helps to talk to a photographer over the phone (at least) at least once before the shoot. The best is actually meeting face-to-face.
Everything that leads to feeling COMFORTABLE with the photographer will make your photo session much more enjoyable and easy.
And here are some photos from almost a whole day of shooting with a very talented singer - Natalie, it's been an honor to work with her on these concepts! We had a vintage store collaborating on this shoot (http://www.amtvintage.com) - thank you guys for fantastic clothes! Lauren Tyler-fuller (you can find her on my facebook page) was helping out with make up, hair and styling:
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