Tips and Technique Thursdays: Be Cool

Hello Everyone,

This is my inaugural Tips and Technique Thursday blog post.  These posts will be aimed at portrait photographers because that’s what I primarily shoot.  As I expand portfolio to weddings, events, etc., the content of the blog will grow along with it.  My plan is to provide information based both on my personal experiences and the experiences of others.  I also incourage you to give plenty of comments, ideas, and feedback.  That way we all can learn from a broader set of people.

Before we get started on todays topic, I like to remind everyone of my August Boudoir Photo Session Special.   Check out my flyer for all the details.

Be Cool – My number one tip.

Be cool?  What does it mean?  As photographers, we love to talk gear, lighting, composition, styles, locations, etc.  In other words technical stuff.  However, when its time to actually shoot.  When you have your real live, breathing, talking subject in front of your camera, waiting expectantly, all that technical stuff in our brains seems to have left the building.

What just happened?  You simply got nervous. You don’t want to look foolish in front of the subject(s).  So instead of taking a minute and getting it right in camera, you sprayed and prayed (just shoot a bunch of pictures and praying you get a good shot).

Well Mark.  This have happened to me.  What can I do about it? Glad you asked.  Here are my top five tips.

1. Plan out your shoot.  On a piece of paper, write some notes on what you wish to accomplished.  It can include a shot list, lighting diagrams, explanation of concept(s), who will be there, location, etc.
2. Create a pose book/folder for your subject to review.  The  book/folder can be print outs from the internet or cut pictures out of magazines.  Pick out a few poses to try and stick with those.  Of course once you do the base pose, have the subject make small variations to the pose.
3. Clean and test your equipment before the subject gets there.  Don’t forget to put in fresh batteries.
4. If you a new photographer or testing out a new technique.  Let the subject know what’s going on before they agree to shoot.  If you says, “hey, i’m working on ‘high key’ photography, do you mind being my subject?  “I’m testing out new equipment and I’m not sure how everything will turn out.”  This will manage everyone’s expectations.
5. When something goes amiss (and it will), take a deep breath and  stop shooting.  Explain to to your subject, you need to make some adjustments, and calmly do it.  Take it one step at a time.  If the technique just doesn’t work, scrap it and do something else.  At the end of the day.  I rather get a few good shots then shoot a bunch of pics I know won’t work.

Bonus Tip:  Keep shooting.  Keep shooting.  Keep shooting.  Did I mention you need to keep shooting? Experience is king (or queen).  Something you just can’t get by buying, talking or reading about it.

If you have any other ideas to share, please post them in the comments below.  I would love to here from you.

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