Theshootshouldstartwithsomerelaxedimages;placing
theclientinanaturallycomfortableposeisagoodstarting
point.Suggesttotheclientthatyouarejustdoinga few
testshotstocheckforlighting–thiswillgetthemusedto
standing in front of the camera, so they become
accustomed to the process.
During this time itis importantfor thephotographer to
spendmoretimehavingeyecontactwiththeclientthan
looking at the LCD of the camera, which can be
disconcerting. In fact, throughout theshoot, you should
only really lookat thebackofthe LCDsporadicallyto
ensurethatthelightingandposingarecorrect,aftereach
change of set-up.
Havereadyafewsimpleposesthatyoucandemonstrateto
theclienteasilyandthattheywillnotfeelawkwarddoing.
Oncethesehavebeencoveredandtheclienthasrelaxed,
youcanthentakeamorecreativeapproachtotheshoot,
introducingmorecomplexlightingset-upsandposesifthe
client is willing.
Allshootsshouldberelativelyclient-led,allowingtimefor
them to be able to relax. Rememberthat this may take
longeriftherearechildreninvolved;somechildrencanand
willperformforthecameraoncue,whileotherswilltakea
little more time and maybe need some encouragement.
Theclientshouldneveratanypointfeelrushedorunder
pressure;thiswillonlyleadtoatenseandanxioussitter.
They must at all times feel valued and that they are
important.