I’m so excited to share some of my go to tips for getting your clients to look their best in photos. After all, the goal is for them to LOVE the final shots, right?
1. Start with getting them comfortable BEFORE the shoot. I start with a personalized email that allows me to get to know clients better and make sure we’ll be a good fit. Building a rapport before the shoot allows us both to feel more relaxed the day of.
2. Create a client questionnaire or session/event guide. A questionnaire is a valuable resource for getting to know your clients’ needs and expectations ahead of time. A session or event guide can help you stay organized. It also allows the client to understand your process so they can be prepared for what to expect, on the day of the shoot, include as much detail as you feel necessary. I niche them down. I have one for weddings, one for sessions.
3. Feel the person out and if they seem nervous, start with something easy. Ask them to, quite literally, shake off the nerves. As a fun exercise, I like to ask my clients to run back and forth to me. If it’s a couple, I’ll have them lock arms and run to me. This creates laughter and goofiness which instantly makes clients feel more at ease and more open to you. Works like a charm, every time!
4. Shake off your own nerves. It’s normal to feel some performance anxiety before a photo shoot but, remember, being anxious won’t help your client feel more relaxed. If you know you’re prone to pre-photo shoot anxiety, find ways to mange it so you aren’t as stressed come shoot time. Fit in a workout, a quick 10-minute meditation or give yourself some positive self-talk. Your client hired you because they like what you offer, the trick is that you HAVE to BELIEVE that, too.
Practice makes perfect, and the more you practice the less likely you are to feel nervous. Practice shooting family, friends, and coworkers. Build your confidence through low pressure opportunities to improve your craft.
And hey, if you can’t fully shake off the nerves before the session begins, don’t be afraid to just jump in! Eventually, and with practice, the nerves will fade away.
5. Stay in control. Creating a road map for your workflow will allow you to feel in control from booking to shooting. Having the details ironed out ahead of time will allow you to focus on creating great photos on the day of, and give you some breathing room should any unexpected surprises come up during the shoot.
6. Learn your posing tricks from studying photos. Posing is one of the most important components of a successful photo shoot. You want to ensure you’re posing each client in ways that will show off their best features and make them feel great about themselves. So, be sure to study what angles and posing techniques are the most flattering and see if you can recreate them with your clients. For example, you’d want to avoid shooting from below, looking up at your subject.
Help direct the photo shoot by observing your client’s body language. If you notice their shoulders are tense, ask them to take a few deep breaths while loosening their shoulders with circular motions. If their jaw is clenched, ask them to open and close their mouth a few times, breathe and try again.
You can help them loosen up by suggesting they hop around or close their eyes, depending on what kind of person they are.
I know for me, when I am anxious, I hold my breath, tense up my shoulders and grip my hands. Pay attention to the hands too, they can be the most awkward part of a photo if they go untamed. By paying attention to their body cues, you’ll know if they need some coaching and easing into the process.
Remember, the best photos are the ones that feel natural. Taking these steps to help you and your client feel at ease on the day of the photo shoot will be stress and time saving for all.
