Nervousness at the Start of Portrait Sessions

3 years 1 month ago #711632 by iKokomo
I have always enjoyed doing portrait photography, however, it always takes me about 10 minutes to (for lack of a better term) “find my groove.” The first 10 minutes of photos are not the best, but once I get past the “nervous” part, I really enjoy the photo session and the photos become much better. My question is, how do I make myself, as well as my subject/model comfortable in the beginning so that I can have a better photo session?


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3 years 1 month ago #711634 by Hassner
I have no idea. 
I think it is meant to be that way. 
In the old film days that meant two wasted films. 
So what I did was not to put film in the camera till I saw the ice break. 
Never tell the model, of course. 


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3 years 1 month ago #711636 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day iKokomo

Firstly- as a newbie - may I Welcome you to the PT photo forum - you'll find many here with interesting views and plenty of experience

As to 'nervous' at the start of a session .... all actors going on stage tell that the nervousness is part of the uplift process to get them into the groove as you so nicely put it. So "it's normal"

What I sometimes do is to ask the subject to open their smartfone and look up something from today's news (use any excuse to suggest a topic) and while thay are busy doing that, they - and you - are busy getting ready. By the time they and you have done a bit and chatted a bit, the rest can follow

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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3 years 1 month ago #711639 by Nikon Shooter
I think photo vending machines in shopping centres are the only
one without nervousness.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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