I recently received a request for feedback from a photographer who has been applying some of my lighting techniques to his portraiture. He explained that learning the techniques had finally given him the confidence he needed to work with a model for the first time. And while I was impressed with his use of the lighting techniques, it was obvious that his posing and rapport-building skills left a lot to be desired. We’ve all been there. But fortunately, these skills can easily be acquired.
For someone just getting serious about any type of portrait photography, one of the most challenging aspects of it is the actual interaction with the subject. This almost doesn’t make sense until you consider that the photographer is usually trying to manage several technical and creative issues as the subject is often left to wonder what to do, if anything. Learning how to build, and maintain, rapport is crucial.
It is intimidating to anyone to be in front of a camera, but when it comes to glamour, boudoir, swimsuit or any type of revealing photography, the intimidation factor goes up dramatically for your subject. I feel that if you can learn to work with a woman under those conditions, something like straight portraiture will seem easy in comparison. Our discussion is aimed primarily at working with female models, but many of these principles apply to anyone in front of your camera. With that said, here are a few tips to get you started:
Communicate
Good communication is the the foundation for building rapport with your subject. Remember that rapport building starts with your initial contact. Whether it’s a posting on a model/photographer site, a Facebook profile, or your website, the model will be evaluating not only your work, but your personality. Are you coming across like someone who is capable, confident, and generally pleasant to work with? Being honest about yourself and your experience level is a good start. Honesty builds trust, and that is key.
In his book, Guerrilla Glamour, JimmyD explains, “It’s all about trust and simple trust is often a by-product of simple friendliness, consideration, minding your manners, acting professional, and always treating the model as the single most important element of the shoot.”
And this from a pro who works primarily with experienced, professional glamour models. “Gaining rapport with models is an incredibly important ingredient to getting the shot. For me, it’s probably the most important ingredient.”
Encourage
JimmyD also notes that even the most experienced and beautiful models aren’t immune to the same feelings of insecurity that any woman may feel in front of the lens. “Most models are fragile creatures in front of the camera,” explains Jimmy. “They might appear otherwise but, since they can’t see what you’re seeing while shooting them, they want/need to know what you’re seeing in the viewfinder looks great.” This feedback generally provides the encouragement needed for most shoots to progress.
But to get started on the right foot, is always a good idea. Encouragement for your subject starts the moment she enters the room. Find something you can genuinely compliment her on. Tell her that she’s going to look amazing in the photographs. Keep in mind that she may not respond well to over-the-top comments about how “sexy” she is, or light-hearted flirting. This will probably have the opposite effect you are looking for, or worse. Comments should be professional and practical for the task at hand.
Provide Direction and Feedback
In 10 Ways to Improve Your Boudoir Photography Now, I talk about how to honestly and effectively provide encouragement and direction to get the best possible shots from your subject. One important piece of advice is “before you start shooting, tell her what to expect in terms of your posing direction, or how you shoot. Give her a few examples of how you might call out some direction. Let her know that if you’re not saying anything for a few moments, that it’s because she’s doing great, and you’re just getting a succession of shots that all seem to be working.” I mention this because all too often, a photographer will forget that the person in front of him, lacking any verbal feedback, will start to wonder what’s going on. She might even be afraid to ask. This isn’t going to help the pictures turn out any better.
Models want direction and need positive reinforcement, notes JimmyD. “Models want to hear they’re not alone out there in the lights, in front of your camera. ‘Dead air’ is not conducive to great [model] photography. You don’t have to become Mister Personality. You simply have to communicate.”
I agree. Keeping the subject engaged can be as simple as providing a frequent and enthusiastic, “That looks great!, “ “Beautiful,” or“Awesome!” This can really keep her excited and upbeat about her shoot. Simple but honest gestures and smiles will go a long way. But, keep all of your feedback and encouragement within the context of the shoot. Everything you respond to should be about how she looks for the camera, not how she looks to you.
Jimmy’s advice on this: Don’t touch. Avoid intimate talk. Give models their space. In other words, your model is there to make great pictures with you, not to get “picked up” by a photographer.
Learn From Your Models
Finally, being able to communicate effectively with your model to get great pictures is also a matter of learning and practice. “Experienced models will help you immensely in developing your [model] shooting skills, increasing your knowledge and experience, and building your portfolios,” says Jimmy. This is true. I’ve even been told stories by lesser experienced models about new photographers who seemed to be timid about giving direction, or stuck for ideas.
Even some of the models with just a little experience say they are happy to help aspiring photographers with ways to give feedback and direction. If you’re new to certain types of posing or looks, it might not hurt to tell your model that you’re open to advice on how to give direction. Let her be a partner in your shoot. That way, you’re both likely to get great pictures out of it.
Additional Info:
- Learn more about working with Glamour techniques and models in JimmyD’s book, Guerrilla Glamour.
- Working with Boudoir clients requires a great deal of rapport building: 10 Ways to Improve Your Boudoir Photography Now
- Lighting techniques and boudoir posing instruction are available via my books, 100% Reliable Flash Photography and 25 Amazing Boudoir Photography Techniques
- JimmyD: Pretty Girl Shooter
Image: One of my boudoir clients, Erica.
Great article Ed.
It can be hard to keep report going through a full session but I find trying to get some general conversation between shoot sequences can help set and maintain the general tone whilst you’re reconfiguring lights or whatever.
I don’t agree with the never touch philosophy though. There is touching and there is touching. I take the approach of education, guidance and when necessary intervention. You may have your subject posed perfectly and notice stray hair across her face – go and fix it. But ask permission first and say what you’re doing. If you need to readjust her hand position – tell her what you need to do. I’ve never had anyone who minded or taken intervention the wrong way. Although as Monte Zucker says, final refinement is made from the camera whilst looking through the view finder moments before pressing the shutter. We just need to be sensible and always be totally professional
@Pat: Absolutely. It very much depends on the situation and the client or model. I think JimmyD’s advice is more about unnecessary, uninvited, and unprofessional physical contact. I often work with a female assistant or stylist and ask her to help watch for details, fix folded-over straps, out of place hair, etc. But on occasion, if the subject has made it clear that she’s comfortable with my making a quick adjustment, I will do so. The last thing I want to do is to give someone the wrong impression, or make them feel uncomfortable in any way. As you said, “sensible and always totally professional” is the way to go.
Ed, I just uploaded all of your e-books and Jimmy D’s “Guerilla Glamour” onto my new iPad and I gotta tell you they look AWESOME. This way I can have them with me on a shoot for inspiration/instruction. Get those books, people … even if you don’t have an iPad. Ed should be charging three times as much for them! – JK
Great article. as usual Ed! Building a rapport with the client is crucial with intimate photography, especially when photographing non-models.