Do you get nervous having your picture taken?
When it’s for a formal occasion, say a publicity shot for a business launch or an important company document, a nervous client, or at least a camera-shy one, is surprisingly common.
It’s very common to be camera-shy
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve heard clients admitting they hate having their photograph taken. I tell them that everyone says that, hoping to reassure them. To which they say ‘but I really do’. Suffice to say, everyone says that too.
Not being used to professional photography
We are all used to seeing ourselves brushing our teeth, combing our hair, putting on make up. Of course these are familiar images of ourselves, when reflected in mirrors or perhaps shop windows. But when we have our pictures taken, the image presented by the photographer feels the ‘wrong’ way round and this is why so many are uncomfortable with them.
An uncluttered room for the photo shoot
Fortunately, there are number of things that can help reduce people’s unease when in front of camera. I always keep the room tidy with a clear path from the door to the place where the person will stand or sit. There is nothing worse than a nervous character having to navigate past bags of intimidating kit, cables and accessories.
An uncluttered shoot stops people feeling like a visit to the dental surgery. As a portrait session progresses, I always keep the subject involved in the shoot. They are quickly able to relax when they are active not passive, and very much part of the process, be it when changing posture, their angles to the camera, smiling, not smiling etc.
Taking a mix of headshots to help the subject relax
Many of the headshots taken aren’t in the client’s brief, but their value is in getting the subject to relax and to take their mind off the process.
One position and expression is probably all that’s needed to get a good picture, but asking someone to maintain a certain look is unrealistic and only professional models are really ever able to achieve it. It’s important not to take long.
Keeping the photo shoot as short as possible
From years of experience I know that after a few minutes I will have the best out of the person and extending the shoot won’t improve the results. Also, for business people, time is usually pressing and they will want to be off as soon as possible to their next appointment.
Being professional to get the best out of the subject during the photo shoot
Having your portrait taken for an annual report, website or marketing brochure can be a painless, fun and not a drudge, if done professionally.
We aim always to get the best out of each subject no matter how anxious they might be feeling when they walked in.
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Professional corporate photographer, providing company headshot photography and video for businesses in London, the rest of the UK and Europe. Piranha are commissioned by FTSE100 companies and start-ups alike, for numerous projects, covering a wide range of work and styles. Portraits and office photography for use on websites, events coverage and PR shots for press and publications, as well as Board and location photography for annual reports. Using top of the range Leica cameras and lenses. We process the images promptly and to an extremely high standard.