site to create portraits to use in a book, there was no problem with getting
the okay. The house, the session, and the senior girl we used all were perfect
(at least in the final portraits!). I was so impressed with the images that I
wanted to include some of them in our studio displays, mailings, and website.
Then, I started thinking as a businessperson. I realized that I would be show-
ing potential clients portraits they could never do. The people running the
Alumni House thought it was cool to let us use the house once, but they
wouldn’t appreciate working around full-day sessions several times a year.
Thinking this way is critical to controlling your business and looking like a
professional in the eyes of your client.
You don’t see McDonald’s advertising itself as a great place for a formal
anniversary dinner. Neither do you see finer restaurants installing drive-
110 JEFF SMITH’S POSING TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
LEFT—Because they trust me, my clients are
responsive and follow my guidance when it
comes to clothing selection and posing.
FACING PAGE—Our Dodge Viper and Harley-
Davidson motorcycle are popular props for
senior portraits.I realized that I would be showingpotential clients portraits theycould never do.