Importance of Relationships with Subjects

People require time to get comfortable. A repoir needs to be developed between the photographer and the subject. This is especially true when dealing with the male photographer and a female subject, but it is true with all photographer/model relationships.

A relationship, one where the subject feels comfortable and more importantly feels safe, is generally not something that can happen in a few minutes time. It has to develop organically and this doesn't happen without time to pass for trust to be developed. Being the subject of a photograph is a personal risk. Exposing oneself to world is tough, allowing someone else to expose you to the world requires a high level of trust and this level of trust requires a good working relationship.

This type of relationship is best achieved by taking time for the relationship to develop. Rushing this development process can come across as awkward, uncomfortable and can actually prevent the relationship from ever developing right from the get-go. Another way to develop this relationship is to maintain a constant sense of safety and security. You can do this by allowing a friend of the subject, or a member of the same sex to remain within eye sight at all times during the times you work together. You cannot push a subject beyond his or her comfort levels. This requires respect. Respect for their boundries and beliefs. Respect means never asking them to do something they don't want to do.

The only way you can know the subject's boundries is to have open and honest communication. Communicate what the goals of the shoot are. Communicate what your intentions are. Allow the subject to open communicate goals, ideas and concerns. This is a great time for you to shut up and listen. Have compassion and interest in the subject's concerns, interests and ideas. If you are doing all of the talking, the subject will not get these fears, ideas and objections heard and guess what happens then; the relationship isn't going to reach a point where the subject is comfortable and relaxed with the shoot. One last thing you as a photographer can do to help develop the relationship is to progress slowly and show the subject one or two results from each pose. This allows to the subject to see the progression of the shoot and where your vision is going and in return the model becomes more relaxed and supportive of your vision.

If you practice these with each of your subjects, and are sincere about the relationship, the relationship willl blossom and the next time you have a project to work on, there is already a level trust and respect that can be built upon. If you don't, just remembers that maintaining the trust is easier than developing a new relationship and you will end up having to develop a new relationship.