tricky

In general, I think my "method" for shooting is mostly about flying by the seat of my pants. So I'm usually stumped when people ask for advice or tips. I want to say something profound. But my truest response is more like, "Ummm...just take your camera out, and see what happens"...Especially today when digital cameras make the learning curve SO much faster than it used to be.

BUT stop the train! Today, I actually have a solid tip to offer. (woo!) :)

I started noticing with photo sessions that as soon as I said to my clients that the shoot was over, they would instantaneously relax. It was like a universal "Phew it's over; I can stop performing". And by this time my camera would be all packed away in my bag, missing it all. WELL...I finally wised up. I hope my clients aren't reading because now they'll know about my trick. But lately, I've been holding onto the camera to catch all those relaxed ("after"-the-photo-shoot) moments. They often turn out to be the best shots of the day. Like this one. It was the absolute last frame of the series, taken right after I said, "That's awesome, we got it, you're done." And SNAP. The most gorgeous, relaxed smile popped out. Just like magic. 

What about you? Any tricks up your sleeve? 

Comments

[Jaana]

Try to make them laugh! Sometimes its not too pretty, but sometimes you get a beautiful moment... http://photographybyjaana.blogspot.com/2009/06/family-pics-round-two.html

[Toni | DailyVignette]

Well, I've only had one photo shoot and that was for my neighbor who is graduating high school this week. He told me first thing that he doesn't like to smile, so we started out taking some serious, reflective shots. I've known him for quite a while so we just started talking while I was fiddling with settings, and since I was fiddling with settings he wasn't really sure when I was ready so I would start shooting and I was making him laugh somehow (I didn't think I was that funny!), but I snapped away. Those were the best shots.

http://dailyvignette.com/2009/06/03/a-few-of-my-favorites/

[kosenrufu mama]

I try to make them laugh and I tell them to watch up, down, right , left, and I try to move ont the romm, looking different corner...
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/05/festa-festa-festa.html

[Marcie]

What a great smile...love the image!

Because I don't generally do portraiture - I can only share what I do when capturing the world around me.l If I don't like what I'm looking at..I turn around and always find something interesting. While I was focusing on other dogs actively 'at play' - these two were sitting quietly just begging for their photo to be taken (dontcha think??):

http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=781

[mrs. e]

No tricks with people. What I get is just dumb luck! But I like to use natural framing by shooting through things. I'm just discovering how to get a look that I like. Here are a couple that worked:

http://quotequill.blogspot.com/2009/05/words-to-live-by.html

http://erickfam.blogspot.com/2009/03/through-eye-of-new-lens.html

[jenifriend]

this is a great tip!! and what an awesome photo you captured!!

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

You are so, so right. I've found the same to be true. Great capture.

[Tracey Clark]

i loooove this shot maile!! great trick!

[Lee-Ann]

awesome!! I don't have any tricks, but I have to stop asking so many questions, I keep getting them caught mid word.

[Sue Henry]

I don't usually photograph people, but will often "practice" on my grandchildren. The only tip I have to share is to shoot lots and lots and lots of images while they are just at play or acting natural. One sometimes will be amazed at the results!

"J"
http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/

"B"
http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/youll-just-have-to-indulge-me/

[Crisse]

It is so true! That posed, almost forced smile doesn't begin to capture the true personality of people. I so much prefer to shoot while people go about their normal activities... interacting, thinking, looking at things. You can grab some amazingly powerful shots when people are relaxed.

here's one of my daughter from awhile back. We were just playing at a park and I was snapping away hoping for a moment to strike...http://www.flickr.com/photos/tildabelle/3402872199/

[Kelly Warren]

wow, that is a great shot and a great suggestion! my trick for getting good shots of my girls is to totally avoid the "Say, Cheese!" phrase. Instead if I ask them to say anything it's, "Hey Mama!". I also love to take candid shots of them....tons of them. I just took a series last week that came out really really great...simply of them playing in our flooded back yard. they are here if you want to take a peek:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74843&id=672844836&l=2eedb13d0c

[vivienne]

thats such a great tip! i'm going to hold onto that one!

[Charlane]

i always get them to try to do something during a shoot that takes them out of their comfort zone - something silly and zany. they are tense trying to do it and when i say, ok - that didn't work....they relax and i snap.

[~ kristina ~]

Wear a hat and move fast when you're trying to take photos of baby birds!

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/06/robin-family.html

People are another story!

[Diane]

fantastic tip!! So is your resulting image -- thank you!

I just snap a lot of shots, I keep moving around, and end up with some good ones. Trouble is, I shoot mostly animals and want to do more people! :)

[Lu]

You know, I have gotten my best pictures when I am setting up for the shoot and breaking down from the shoot. I am in constant conversation with my subjects. Always end up with the best shots that way.

[My Two Seasons]

This is a great tip! I haven't done shoots for other people... yet. But I will be doing some engagement pictures for my sister soon, so I will definitely remember this! Thank you!

[Puna]

I'm not a professional so I can't share any pro tricks. I do shoot a lot of family pics and I believe they are the hardest subjects around. I used to badger...

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/about/the-brother/

Now, I pretend to be indifferent. It's a lesson in patience.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/pearly-whites/

In any case, we do have fun.

[Bett]

"In general, I think my "method" for shooting is mostly about flying by the seat of my pants. So I'm usually stumped when people ask for advice or tips. I want to say something profound. But my truest response is more like, "Ummm...just take your camera out, and see what happens."

I love you for this.. honestly. Parents and friends ask me all the time and I give them the same response. I understand all the concepts I need to understand but I leave the technical aspect at the door. I shoot from the hip. As for tips to get the kids smiling? I take my 19 yr old along as an assistant. Not only does he do a great Elmo voice but kids are drawn to him and he has no problems being a goof.

[brooke]

I like to do lots of serious shots, I think those show more character sometimes then smiling, but I do like to capture natural smiles too. check these out:

http://philandbrooke.blogspot.com/2009/06/chris-merissa.html

http://philandbrooke.blogspot.com/search/label/Nathan

http://philandbrooke.blogspot.com/2009/04/day-93.html

http://philandbrooke.blogspot.com/2009/04/rossi-shoot.html

[Dani]

My secret, especially at weddings, when I am dealing with large groups of people, is to ask them todo something absurd. It gets them laughing, gets me laughing and makes for a more relaxed day.

Example, the groom thought this was ridiculous, but how great is that shot?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/3596079718/

And then if I give the bride and groom some instruction and know that a lot of the bridal party is related to these people, it naturally happens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197392@N06/3596079826/in/set-72157616297604965/

[stef]

no tricks but this is an awesome shot! love it!

[B]

This is almost verbatim what Scott Kelby wrote in his book "The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2."

That being said, it is an often used technique during photo shoots and definitely well worth trying. The shot in this post in brilliant, I love it!

[Karyn]

I completely agree with your 'trick' I get my best shot in the 'in-betweens"

[megan P]

i love this picture of my friend and even though she doesn't like it, it is so real, and potray's her exactlly!
http://megankathrynp.blogspot.com/

[Trude]

Tell them "Don't worry, I'm just taking some test shots - I hope you have about two hours." If I don't get a ridiculous look of surprise, it's often sincere laughter. :)

[sandy]

Great photo. I think being relaxed and keeping them relaxed helps. Yes, before and after the more formal times are good. I also think chatting is good, as is playing music of their choice. I take tons of photos of my kids and grandkids, and a few more formal, but I like the captured "moment" the best. Take lots of frames!

[spread your wings]

this is such a great tip. i noticed it the other day when I was helping my mom photograph a little boy for a painted portrait she would be doing. We were both taking photos and he was focused on her taking the shots so when he thought she was finished I took photos and these are the ones he is most relaxed and natural looking in.

[Ali]

I use a Canon point and shoot - love this camera - does everything I want and I haven't yet been able to justify an SLR because the number of things that this won't do can be counted on less than one hand.

Anyhow, I turn the sounds off! There's no click or beep or whatever. Not having the sounds is very helpful in catching natural moments. I also "shoot from the hip" a lot - literally. If people don't see the camera up, they are more natural. I suppose I could also take photos undetected where I should not - but I would never do that!

[Missy Sue]

I do pretty much the same thing......or I tell my clients to go away from me....and try to ignore me, it usually works, especially with couples ;)

[Tripping the light fantastic]

Wicked picture!
I'm a fly by the seat of your pants kind of gal, no special tricks - mostly I'm just a goofball when I take pics so people giggle and relax a bit i guess.

[giggletwig (corey)]

When photographing little ones, I'll ask them, "Do you like Dora/Diego/Tinkerbell (or whatever character they like -- you can ask the parents for a clue)?" Then I tell them, "I think I saw her around here earlier, and somehow she got into my camera. Do you see her?" They usually look into the lens with the most amazing look of excitement and wonder -- and I snap away. Sometimes they actually see the character I asked them about. And if they don't, we go on a hunting adventure -- provides some great opportunities for photos. The child is usually so focued on looking for Tinkerbell, they don't pay much attention to the camera.

It's nice to have some stickers at the end of the shoot for the kid -- if they didn't find the character, at least they get some stickers after the search.

[schmutzie]

What an excellent tip. This is something I've noticed, too. If I bring my camera out to social events, people are uptight at first, but eventually they get used to the lens being around and relax. The better pictures always end up being the ones in which people have forgotten about the equipment.

[Suki]

Great tip and awesome idea!