Can you photograph people?
By: Daniel
Why am I writing this blog now? Well, a few days ago I did a photo shoot for an attractive lady who was accompanied by her boyfriend. They live a long way from where I’m located, and there are ample photographers in the city they live in. But they chose me. Why? When we met, just prior to the photo session, the lady was busy and her boyfriend and I were talking and I asked him, “I know there are lots of photographers where you live, so why did you choose me?” He said, “because she liked you.” She and I had talked briefly on the phone when she booked me. Now this blog is not how to be a salesperson, because I don’t “salesperson” my photography. It’s about being able to read a person very quickly and relate to them at a level they like and understand. Period. They were both great people and I enjoyed shooting with them and they liked my work. I was able to have her smile or laugh without asking her to smile or laugh. She liked subtle humor and I picked up on that on the phone—she laughed easily when she was at ease. So, my job was to put her at ease both on the phone and when we did the photo session.
I’ve taught a lot of workshops and classes. My students have ranged from beginners, who knew nothing about photography, to professionals who needed to learn a certain aspect of lighting or posing, etc. There are two things a seasoned photographer can recognize when dealing with someone new to photography—One is whether or not they have an “eye”. You can teach someone all the technical aspects of putting a photo together, but what you can’t really teach them is to have an eye for a great photograph. The same goes for whether or not a beginner is going to be able to develop into a “people” shooter. You can tell that quickly when you start shooting people (male or female) and you see how they relate with them. There have been times when I’ve had to tell students that people photography is not for them. Landscape, still life, family get togethers, or something, but not people.
I’ve been lucky to have a “gift of gab” so to speak. I can relate to a variety of people, up and down the social spectrum without much effort. But it’s because I have an innate sense of what that person is like, what they like; do they like humor, how much, what kind, do they like to talk or are they very quiet and shy. If they’re quiet and shy but want a portrait that shows that and one that shows a more vibrant side of them then it’s up to me to be able to say and/or do something that loosens them up, makes them laugh or smile and most importantly get them to be comfortable and “like me.” I do that by talking to them, making fun of myself, my assistants, or even them. Joking, relating some of my experiences to them. People like to not be so exposed in front of a camera and by doing that I’m able to draw them out. My assistants have been the “straight men or women” for me hundreds of times. Almost like a comedian has a straight person who makes what they say funny.
But I’ve learned this is not something I can teach a person. It’s like having an eye for a great photo. It’s innate, you either have it or you don’t. If you don’t then it’s flowers, babies, sunrises, sunsets, landscapes or still life but not people (although some would suggest babies are people).
Who is this blog for? It’s for those getting started in photography—when you graduate from a cell phone to a real camera, and from Instagram to a website and actually do real photography. (OMG you might actually have to print a photograph.) I love people photography, but I also have a knack for it. Beginners need to find out if they do too if they want to photograph people like graduating seniors, etc. Good luck and learn the trade, it takes time; when I started this journey Moby Dick was a minnow.
Daniel
