How does a Photographer learn how to make a nervous or unsure model comfortable?
When it comes to posing, how does a Photographer make a nervous or unsure model comfortable? Should I maybe light some candles and play very soft music? Also, what do you do if your model doesn’t want her pictures to be publicly displayed? How do you convince her to let you sell them?
Compliment her honestly. Be genuinely friendly.
If she doesn’t want to have them posted you’re out of luck.
Just be as friendly as u can,smile a lot and be patient. If u ever see your model in an uncomfortable mode just ask her of there’s anything you can do to make her feel better and before you take her pictures u need to ask her permission as to whether she’s okay with u selling her pics publicly. GOOD LUCK !
If you light some candles and play very soft music you will probably make her more nervous as she will think you are comming on to her.
1) be friendly but professional, have refreshments if its in a studio and give them breaks from the uncomfortable positions, do not touch them without telling them you are going to do so and getting thier permission ( e.g. “is it OK if I move your arm to show you what I am talking about ?” )
2) give them honest but reasuring and constructive feedback feedback on how she is doing, sometimes just saying things like “yes thats good” or “thats good but try pointing turning your head a little more to the left”
3) let them bring an escort if they want to
4) discuss the types of photos with them before the shoot. don’t hire someone that does not do things like implied nudes and then try to “talk them into it” at the shoot.
5) make sure the use of the shots is clear before the shoot and described in the model release. If the model does not release her image for public use and it was not taken in a public venue then you should not display them or sell them. Just as you have legal rights to your copyright they have legal rights to thier likenesses. Its usually covered under states publicity laws. The Right of Publicity prevents the unauthorized commercial use of an individual’s name, likeness, or other recognizable aspects of one’s persona. It gives an individual the exclusive right to license the use of their identity for commercial promotion. It does not cover photos taken for non-comercial/ editorial purposes in a place where you would not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Remember your reptutation as a photographer will last far beyond what is done with this model. You have to re-affirm your reputation each and every shoot as a professional
An essential skill as a photographer is the ability to become best friends with your subjects instantly. That means becoming very familiar with them very fast, and to do so in a friendly, but non-creepy way.
Ask about family, keep the mood light. Skip the candles and soft music as that may, to some, seem rather creepy. Compliments are great, but not if they’re over done. Keep compliments simple and general. Too much and you’ll appear as if you’re hitting on the model. A sure sign you are not going to get him/her to relax.
Most importantly, though, be professional and competent. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, your model will be even more so.
As for convincing your subject to allow you to display/sell the images, that needs to be done beforehand, if at all possible. This is only learned from experience, but there are two kinds of “no”. The first means “absolutely not and I’ll kill you if you go against me”. The other means something like “I’m not confident I look good and a bit shy”. The former is to be obeyed, the latter can be convinced with an honest discussion, but you may have to be patient. No tricks, no slick con jobs. Honesty.
First, by hiring a professional model whenever possible.
I would NEVER use candles or any other “mood” lighting to make a model more comfortable. Anything to suggest a “romantic” encounter may only serve to make the model even MORE nervous. Besides, the lighting wouldn’t be condusive to good photographic images, which, after all, IS the point of a photo shoot.
Music may be helpful, but if so, SHE should decide what music to play. I, personally would prefer NO distractions, as I would like the model listening to my instructions. Since they get paid by the hour, I tend to work pretty fast.
For the model’s comfort, I make sure to provide a safe, secure location for the shoot, with no interruptions permitted, including answering the door or any phones. I see to it she has a private area to disrobe and change and provide water, soft drinks and coffee. On longer shoots, I give her about a fifteen minute break every hour. That fifteen minutes is HERS, not mine in which to schmooze or have conversation. I have no problem carrying on a conversation while I pose her and shoot and reset scenes and props. I not only LET the model don a robe during the break, I insist that she does.
As far as the use of the images, I make sure that it is all worked out ahead of time, not during the shoot. Model releases and contracts take care of the details and specify those things in writing. Again, that is why pros are the way to go, where possible.
I HAVE shot with friends and more casual acquaintences. But, even they would know my work and professionalism. I DO NOT ever approach strangers with the suggestion of doing anything LIKE nude posing.
Act professionally. BE professional. Treat the model like a professional, (meaning respectfully) even if she is an amateur. If she is nervous and not ready, then she is not the right model for the shoot.