Friday, September 23, 2011

Mistakes made working with people

1. Don't Listen To Your Subject

Regardless of whether your working in a customer wanting a portrait or working with a professional model, they will always have some input into the art being created. And why shouldn't they? They are part of the art. You may be going for a certain shot, look, style, mood or whatever, but your subject might be able to contribute to that success and they may lead you to new inspiration as well.

Ask them quesitons and listen to the answers they give. Their ideas might inspire you and your work.

Meet with the subject and get to know him or her before hand. Learn about the boundries and aspirations the subject has. Learn to read people while they talk. A model might not come right out and say they won't do boudior, but might hint in verbal and non verbal ways to their dislike for the subject. Body language and verbal tones are huge cues. Listen with your eyes as much as you do with your ears.

 

2. Don't Talk With Your Subject

Silence is the leading cause of assumptions. Communication happens both through listening and speaking. And while listening may be the most important factor to communication, speaking might be slightly underated. Communicate the goals of a project and the needs you have the subject before hand can prevent some uncomfortable situations. You don't want your subject learning that this is a nude shoot after he or she is in front of the camera. Sit down, well in advance of the shoot and talk about the goals. Talk about yourself. Be honest and straight forward in your communicaiton.

Let the subject how you communicate when actually shooting. One of the things I learned while working with people is that when the light is dreamy and the shots are stunning I make funny noises. Giggles, chuckles and Mmmmmmm mean things are going well and the photos are turning out fantastic. But when a model is posing for body scapes and is in the vulnerable position of being nude in front my camera and I haven't communicated that, he or she may get the wrong message from those uncontrollable sounds I make if I don't communicate them before hand.

 

3. Don't Intereact with Your Subject

There is nothing more boring than a photographer whose head is always behind the camera. Tweaking camera settings and adjusting lights and barking orders to the subject all of the time just doesn't create an environment where the subject feels engaged.

Tell the model when they are doing something right. Talk with the model while you tweek the lights or camera settings; ask him or her about their kids, their job, their hobbies, etc. If you don't know about their family, job or hobbies you failed to get to know your subject before hand.

Don't make small talk; small talk is a sign of lack of caring. Engage your subjects. Talk about substaintial topics that have meaning to them. Talk about your experience with the topic. Be genuine.

 

4. Don't Be Considerate Of Your Subject

My God, let your subject have a break. Being in front of the camera is tough work, whether you think so or not. It can get hot, uncomfortable and tedious. Let your subject walk around, use the restroom, get a drink or bite to eat and stretch.

If the shoot is scheduled to be several hours long, I have had many of those, have scheduled breaks in between sets, even if you are paying them. If you want your subject to have a good experience you need to do this. A dehydrated subject that has had to pee for the last two hours isn't likely to sign up to work with again. Keep the experience positive.

 

5. Don't Feed And Water Your Subject

I can't even tell you how many times I have gotten a model to come back and shoot for free simply because I fed him or her the first time. Ten dollars in food can go a long way to building a lasting relationship with a subject. 

Keep water on hand and refrigerated. Hydration is 100% related to enjoyment of an event. Water is cheap, so don't be cheaper than water or people won't want to work with you.

Ask them frequently throughout the process if they are hungry or thirsty.

 

6. Don't Follow Through With Your Subject

If you schedule something with a subject keep the appointment. If you promise delivery of prints by a certain date and time keep that promise. Nothing is more aggrivating than being let down with missed appointment and broken promises. Emergencies happen. If this is the case make the subject the first phone call. 

 

7. Don't Gossip With Your Subject

Don't talk smack about another model, photographer or friend. Nothing generates fear more than gossip. I mean if you are talking smack about what a Diva Sally can be, what is your subject wondering about what you say about her when she isn't there. 

If the subject is the gossiper, gently change the subject and move on.

 

8. Don't Stay Calm With Your Subject

You may not be getting upset with your subject in particular, maybe it is lights not firing or maybe your just not into the shoot. But you must remain cool throughout the shoot. Getting upset will upset your subject and that will not only affect the results of the shoot, but it will affect that subject's decision to work with you in the future... and word of mouth can be very destructive to a reputation.

 

9. Don't Respect Your Subject

We all have boundries and those boundries must be respected if you want to have a long lasting relationship with a subject. 

If they aren't into nudes, don't call on them for those types of shoots. If they are allergic to animals, do what you can you prevent them from having a reaction to an animal that may have been in the studio the day before.

To be able to respect the subjects boundries you have to communicate with them to learn what those boundries are. Communicate what you shoot and why you shoot it. Most times subjects will let you know if they are comfortable with something or if they have issue with it. If they have an issue, don't make a big deal about it, just say you understand and respect it and move on.