Daniella

As photographers, we get so used to being behind the camera that we often forget what it’s like to be the subject of a photograph.  People who aren’t professional models can be especially uncomfortable or self-conscious in front of the lens.  Snapshots are one thing but having to present oneself as the center of attention for the sole purpose of creating a photograph can be a little intimidating.  As photographers, there are a few things we can do to help our subjects out:

• Give Feedback.  Let your subject know how they’re doing.  Don’t let your her stand in silence while you snap away.  A few encouraging comments can go a long way.  Even a simple, “That looks great!,” every few frames will keep your subject happy and will let her know she’s got nothing to worry about.
• Offer Direction.  Most people in front of a camera aren’t exactly sure what they’re supposed to do.  Many have their go-to pose and smile.  But what happens when they’re standing there and feel they are expected to hit a variety of poses over several minutes?  People want to be given instructions when in unfamiliar situations.  They want to know what you want them to do; where you want them to stand, where they should place their hands, or if they should they smile, look directly at the camera or at something else, etc.
• Empathize.  Understand what your subject must be going through in front of the camera.  Know that under the scrutiny of the lens and the anticipated capture of a frozen moment, people tend to be overly conscious of their own expressions and poses which can create a stressful experience that is visible in the pictures.  Also, be aware that some of the poses you ask for might be physically challenging when held for more than a minute or so.

Why Don’t You Try It?

There’s nothing like being in front of the camera to appreciate what your models and subjects go through, and I’m throwing this challenge out to you:  Be the subject of someone else’s photo shoot.  I recommend you enlist the help of a friend and let him direct you as he shoots a set of headshots that you plan to display online or at least share with friends and family.  Of course, you’ll never know exactly what it’s like to be photographed by YOU, but you might find yourself a little unsure about what your friend is capturing and whether or not you’ll be happy with the results.  That alone is a great lesson to learn; while you may be confident in your ability to take a great set of photos, your subject may be very unsure about her own performance (or yours).

With all this in mind, ask a friend to take the following pictures of you with your camera. Set it up so that they can take a series of shots without further technical assistance from you.  Allow them to direct you (resist the urge to direct or control the shoot yourself). Do not look at previews on the LCD screen.  Take the shoot seriously with the intent of posting at least two shots up on your blog or social media site.  Here are the photos your friend should take of you:

• 10 images:  Standing, “head and shoulders” shots.
• 10 images:  Standing, full-length shots.
• 10 images:  Sitting in a chair.

After completing the shoot, you are free to do your own editing and to note what you liked or didn’t like about the entire experience.  Think about how you feel about the images and whether or not you feel your friend did a good job.  How do you feel about your job as “model?”  Going through this process will help you understand what  your subjects might be experiencing and will encourage you to give them what they need to stay happy and confident, which usually results in better pictures.