Seeking advice from professional portrait photographers

Question

If you have a client who just isn't comfortable in front of the camera, what do you say to them to make them more comfortable? I've heard that jokes are good, but how do you keep the conversation going?

Answer 1

Since I take portraits all day long I developed a line of banter. I can use it over and over, vary it for different clients and it works quite well. The most important thing is that the photographer be relaxed and yet in control.

Answer 2

Most people like to talk about themselves.

http://www.flickr.com/little_pooky

By the end of the session, I probably knew all about each one of them.

Answer 3

Just sincerely talking with them and getting to know them helps a lot. Also, many people are just uncomfortable when looking INTO a camera. They will often be just fine when they are not looking directly into the lens. Fortunately, some of the best portraits are of people when they are NOT looking into the camera. Let them look off at another object and you then frame them at a good angle and with good lighting.

steve

http://www.lightanon.com