‘A picture is worth a thousand words’… but you want it to say the right words, right?
We’re finding more and more customers are looking for real life, ‘non stocky’ lifestyle images with models who look like real people, not models.
Every photographer has their own style behind the camera, we all work differently, but our customers tell us they want to see your photographs as a moment in time that would have happened whether you were there to capture it or not. So, here are 7 quick tips to get the best out of your models when you’re shooting your next lifestyle shoot…
Get conversation flowing
When shooting a photo session I always get a conversation going with my models before even picking up my camera, and in fact, at every stage of the shoot I try to engage conversation so hopefully they forget about the camera and feel like we’re just hanging out.
Be interested in them
Know who you’re shooting – remember their name (and use it often). People love talking about themselves – so ask questions (and be interested), this will help with that rapport you’ve already established and you’ll no longer be a stranger with a camera.
Be positive
Your mood on the day of the shoot will have an impact on the people around you, especially your subjects on set. So, if you want the people you’re photographing to look and feel relaxed then you should be too!
Know your equipment inside out
If you’re confident with your setup you won’t need to over-think the lighting, your camera or the background. Then you can totally focus on your model, how they’re feeling, how they’re looking and the end result.
Don’t pose your models
Someone once said to me ‘don’t pose your models, direct them’. I think this is such a great tip for lifestyle stock photography. As the photographer, you’ll know the imagery you want to capture and the emotion you’re trying to convey so set the scene with your model(s) and get them to ‘act’ rather than move them around from pose to pose. The outcome will look natural and real as opposed to staged and awkward. Just make sure your model understands what you’re trying to capture before you pick up your camera.
Don’t constantly ‘chimp’
What is chimping you ask? Well, it’s the act of looking at the screen on the back of your camera the second after you take each shot.
I’m suggesting not to do this for a number of reasons…
- it interrupts your flow and can kill the energy of the shoot
- you can miss a great moment of action while you’re busy scrolling through your camera roll
- you’ll knock your models confidence if you check that last shot and realise you got an off expression and you need to re-take that shot
Trust your instinct – know when you’ve got your shot and move on.
Give compliments
Encouraging your models by confirming they’re doing a great job, if you think it looks good – tell them, they want to know!
Do you have any great tips to share? Add them in the comments below.