Posts

Most people aren’t models and don’t know how to pose effectively, but “camera shyness” can be overcome. The key is to learn how to forget that you’re posing for the camera—even if you only forget for one second. That’s one of the marks of a good photographer: the ability to trick people into momentarily forgetting that they’re getting their picture taken.

For the photo on the left, the subject and I were engaged in conversation the full session.  It flowed amazingly well.  He was just a talkative as I was, so we both felt very comfortable during the whole session.

The Role of Environment

Sometimes, people relax more easily when they are in a familiar environment. That’s one of the things that I like about doing on-location shoots. If you want to capture a particular side of someone’s personality, think about the setting where you are taking the photo. Sometimes, people show a whole different side of themselves with a change of environment. You can find a lot of different environments without going too far—even just trying some shots indoors and outdoors can show different sides of a subject. Even lighting and props can bring out an element of spontaneity.

Start Talking

Sometimes people can freeze up a bit from standing still in silence. I am usually pretty good at striking up conversations with people when they come into the studio for a headshot, so this part comes naturally for me. If you are taking a picture of someone and they seem stiff or constrained, starting a conversation might help them loosen up. People are more likely to relax when speaking. That’s one of the reasons why photographers traditionally ask people to say “cheese” when taking a picture—by focusing on speaking, you become distracted for a split second—just long enough for the camera to capture a natural pose.

Move Around

I will sometimes have people cross and uncross their arms, lean against a wall, turn and face different directions, or even just move around a little bit. Some positions are more natural than others for people and you have to experiment a bit to find out what works. But it’s less about finding the right position and more about letting the subject move. People loosen up when they move.

I have said before that I specialize in shooting people when they are not “posed” for photos. While I do prefer to shoot “candid” shots of people interacting in natural scenes, this isn’t always an option. But I have learned that if you employ these simple techniques, you can get people to warm up in front of the camera.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

David Williams

Owner at RTP Photo and Video, Inc.

Short Bio About The Author: I'm David Williams a professional commercial photographer focusing on corporate and business clients with some personal branding, lifestyle photography in the mix. My love for photography began in late 1981 while still in High School. I started making money with his camera in 1982. Brenda, my wife, and I started working together in photography in 1988 shortly after we met. Brenda and I married in 1989 and have two adult daughters. Please be sure to get a quote for services if needed. Call or Text: 919.723.8453. Please reach out to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Latest posts by David Williams (see all)

• Black and White Film Shot Of Our Golden Retriever: Trigger - February 2, 2022
• January 22, 2022 – North Carolina Snow Images Shot In Franklin County - January 22, 2022
• Taking A Leap Of Faith: Hiring Your First Employee As A Creative - January 21, 2022
• Canon R3 High ISO 12800 to 102400 Test: Before & After ON1 NoNoise AI - January 17, 2022
• Canon Pro-2100 – 24 Inch Printer Is In The House At RTP Photo And Video - January 16, 2022