As a photographer, your goal is to capture genuine expressions that truly represent your clients' personalities and help them connect with their audience.
A frequent comment I get with my clients is that they like the way my images seem to capture the personality of the person. I never really understood what they meant until alot of people were saying the same thing and then it got me thinking why that is.
I think alot of it comes from not 'over posing' my clients. I kind of take their own body postures and tweak if needed.
In this blog post, we'll dive into some of my techniques and tips on how to pose and direct your clients to achieve natural and authentic expressions in your branding shoots.
1. Create a Relaxed Atmosphere
First things first, you want your clients to feel comfortable during the shoot. So, start by creating a relaxed and friendly environment.
Chat with them, create a playlist, make them laugh, and let them know you're there to help them look their best. When they feel at ease, their natural expressions will shine through effortlessly.
2. Get to Know Your Clients
It's important to know who you're working with. Take some time to chat with your clients before the shoot. Ask about their interests, hobbies, and goals.
By getting to know them and their goals better, you'll be able to tailor your posing and directing approach to bring out their authentic expressions. It's all about creating a connection and building trust.
3. Guide with Gentle Direction
When it comes to posing, be clear and specific with your instructions.
Give your clients guidance on how to position their bodies, where to look, and how to express themselves. Instead of rigid poses, encourage fluid movements and small adjustments. For instance, you might suggest they relax their shoulders, tilt their head slightly, or give you a soft smile. Remember, gentle direction is the key to capturing those natural and genuine expressions.
Personally, I ask the client to sit/stand in a position, and if what they are doing looks good then I leave it. But if I think I can tweak a few things then I give further direction.
Also, another tip, is that instead of asking people to smile more, I ask them to 'soften' their face. This generally gives a more relaxed feel.
4. Have a Chat to Evoke Emotion
Engage your clients in conversation throughout the shoot.
Talk about their favorite things, funny stories, or memorable experiences. By chatting and connecting with them, you create a relaxed and authentic environment where they can forget about the camera and be themselves. These genuine conversations will naturally evoke real emotions and expressions that make for fantastic headshots.
6. Don't forget the candid moments
Some of the best expressions happen in-between poses. Keep your camera ready to capture those candid and spontaneous moments when your subjects are adjusting or transitioning.
These unguarded moments often reveal their true personalities and can result in amazing headshots. Stay attentive, and be prepared to click the shutter when those natural expressions and gestures pop up.
Another tip, is nearer the end of the shoot when the client has warmed up a bit and I am happy that we have nailed their shot list, I will ask them to 'go rogue'. This just means I will ask them to do things not on their list like turn around in a circle, swing their head from side to side, maybe walking down the hall with a big fake laugh. Generally things to get out of their comfort zone to shake up their energy a bit and get some fun candid poses they didn't even know they needed.
6. Props and Locations for Comfort
Using props or shooting in meaningful locations can help your clients relax and bring out their authentic expressions.
Alot of people can be self conscious about being shot in public, so make sure if you are in this location your client feels comfortable.
Props can add a personal touch and create a sense of familiarity, while shooting in a place that means something to them can evoke genuine emotions. Think about incorporating items related to their profession or hobbies. The goal is to create a comfortable and familiar atmosphere that allows their true selves to shine through.
Holding props can also give your clients something to do with their hands.
7. Encourage and Give Feedback
Throughout the shoot, offer positive reinforcement and feedback to boost your clients' confidence.
I am always telling clients they have nailed the shot, that their smile looks great, and giving them feedback when needed.
I also show them the back of the camera so they can actually see themselves and they a usually surprised by how good they look. When they know how good they look then they generally relax a bit more and are more confident in their posing.
To sum up
If you want your clients to be comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, then that starts with the photographer being comfortable and relaxed behind the camera.
We do this through building connection with our clients, constantly talking and giving feedback and direction throughout the shoot. Your clients should never feel left out to dry and wondering what to do next.
Have fun, put on your favourite playlist, and let those genuine expressions unfold naturally!
PS If you are looking for some resources to help you along the way them make sure to check these out:
To be more prepared and discover more about your clients have a look at the Client Questionnaire
To help you clients feel more at ease on shoot day have a look at the Branding Shoot Guide and the What to Wear Guide (for men and women).