What helped you and what tip would you pass on?

[Mentalblock]

I've enjoyed photography for a few years now and would say I have a good understanding of the principles.
However, one area I have very little experience with (basicaly none) is portraits and working with models, but it’s an area I’d like to get into. The getting into I can nolonger be put off either, a friend has asked me to do some team and player photos of her netball team for their website!

I've been reading various sources of information on lighting and working with models as well as looking at work by other photographers. But I wondered what others thought would be a good starting place or what top tip they were happy to part with.

The one thing that’s making me nervous is working with the model. I’m fine with people and capable of talking, it’s the getting them in to the poses that worries me, and more importantly what poses for what locations. I say locations as I think I’d prefer to be on location rather than in a studio.

So, does anyone have anything they want to share or say?

With thanks

Neil

 

[Phil V]

Firstly, portrait photography and working with models are as similar as macro photography and shooting wildlife. Models will turn up looking good, and need little or no direction. Portrait customers take a lot of work to get the best from, you're reliant on your personality.

There's loads of posing guides on the Internet, and you can watch one of the most successful portrait photographers on the planet right now on creative live.

The most important thing to remember is communication, tricky because it includes non-verbal. If you're comfortable and happy, then so will they be. if you appear to not know what you're doing, you have no chance of great shots. So you need to know all your gear well enough to be able to switch stuff about without disturbing the rapport.

So the best piece of advice I have for you is to get some practice before you take on this job. Or your first job could well be your last.

 

[Mentalblock]

Phil, thanks for taking the time to post.
Comunicatin I should be fine with, it's the remembering all I've been reading and applying it that will be the problem! I was hoping that experience plays a big part in being natural, so I'll certainly be getting in lots of practice over the coming weeks.

I had a read of your web, I love the story behind the forming of your business.

 

[Phil V]

Phil, thanks for taking the time to post.
Comunicatin I should be fine with, it's the remembering all I've been reading and applying it that will be the problem! I was hoping that experience plays a big part in being natural, so I'll certainly be getting in lots of practice over the coming weeks.

I had a read of your web, I love the story behind the forming of your business.

Thanks.
I was having a speculate this morning that no one really reads most of what we put on our website. I'll have a rethink

The main reason I mentioned communication is that it's an acknowledged truth that people photographers don't have the patience for landscapes and landscape photographers don't have any people skills

Of course there are loads of great photographers that break that rule, but if you saw my landscapes you'd know I'm not one of them.