My clients, most of them, are not models. They are people with jobs, families, and often very busy schedules. Learning how to "stand this way" or "turn your hands like this" is not on their to-do list. Yet, we all have our own unique ways of expressing ourselves. Consider for a moment, a kitchen chair. If I asked you to walk over to it, then to place your hand on the backrest, you would have a natural way of fulfilling that task that is likely quite different than how I or anyone else would approach the same chair.
Identifying client traits is something I look for because it helps me direct my clients during their session in a way that feels familiar to them. See, people often think photographers just push a button. In reality, we are part photographer, part lighting technician, and part director (just to name a few). More than once I have photographed weddings where I was also the wedding coordinator! Even so, I never want to lose sight of the uncertainties my clients may feel. With so many roles to fulfill, I believe in the importance of putting myself on the other side of the camera, to keep in touch with my client's perspective. Recently, I had just such an opportunity.
Stepping in front of the camera immediately reminded me that posing isn't always natural. Though I routinely practice smiling and posing to better relate to my clients, I could still hear that little voice wondering whether my hands were in the right spot or whether my fingers were curled. It certainly is different being the person "turning my head towards the light while crossing my arms," all while in front of someone who was looking at me through an intimidatingly large lens on a camera.
The experience reminded me what it's like to trust someone else, which is something I never want to take for granted. Every client who steps in front of my camera is doing exactly what I did—placing a little trust in the person behind the lens. Having been on both sides of the camera, I hope I can make that experience just a little easier... and maybe even a little fun.
Though I do like serious, dramatic photos, I tend to migrate towards happy, smiley shots. Well, I guess in this case, smirks. One of my favorite catch-phrases is, "smirk-a-bit!"
For those interested in the more technical elements of these photos, they were created using Broncolor Siros S strobes with a Focus 110 umbrella on the main light. No modifier on the background light. A 50" Westcott reflector with silver side out was placed to camera left.
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