Let’s get started! The following article has been published several times in several different versions. I include it here because it defines the way I work and how I steadfastly attempt to respect the personal limits of the models who pose for me. Trust is the main ingredient in my recipe for a successful photo shoot.

TRUST-THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IN ALL SUCCESSFUL PHOTO SESSIONS
An Excerpt from Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography for Film and Digital Photographers

Previously published in numerous places including ProPhoto West, www.ShootSmarter.com and www.prophotoresource.com.

By Stephen A. Dantzig, Psy. D.


Teresa Bringas and I became good friends about five minutes after meeting each other--ok, I'm exaggerating--it took a day!

Lighting, metering, posing, composition, and all the techie stuff that goes into photography will NOT necessarily lead to successful shoot. Lighting styles come and go and differ widely depending upon the type of photography. There are even stylistic differences within the various specializations. For example, a wedding may be photographed in the "traditional" mode, or with an emphasis on photojournalism. "Fashion" photography has a multitude of different styles. Corporate photographers often have their own styles and approaches to the task. Portraiture can be studio based or environmental.
The only common factor in all of these types of photography is the fact that we are dealing with other people, each their own sets of insecurities, concerns and personalities. Some concerns come with the territory, such as a CEO's concern about projecting the correct image to his or her constituents or a bride's hope that "her" day will be documented beautifully [uh, with all due respects to the grooms!]. Then there are the fears and concerns that "should" not be a part of our business, but unfortunately do exist. These are the concerns of a parent sending their daughter off to her first portfolio shoot. Whether we "have" an executive for 10 minutes or are sharing the most important day of someone's life, we are involved in a relationship, and like any successful relationship, it must be built on trust.

This image was from my first shoot with Marisa. We've worked together on two other occasions and I look forward to future collaborations with her.

Most of my work is within the fashion realm, but I have done some corporate/executive portraiture work and a little general portraiture. Much of what I am going to talk about is specifically geared to working with young ladies, but the importance of the discussion is universal-and applicable to all people photography-perhaps with some subtle changes. Many of the "girls" I work with are new to the field. I have talked to many parents of young ladies who are interested in modeling. More often than not, I hear the concerns and fears about their daughter and whether she could be taken advantage of. I recently had a mother thank me for not putting her daughter in an awkward situation. While I appreciated the compliment, and I know that she wasn't personally questioning me, I was concerned about the general underlying fear that her daughter would not be safe on a shoot. In reality, the situations that people express fear about rarely happen, but they happen enough to warrant discussion. Unfortunately, I have worked with enough young ladies who have told me stories about being placed in awkward situations and/or were asked to pose in ways that they were not comfortable with. Fortunately, the ladies in question were strong enough to get up and walk away and did not allow their personal limits to be compromised.



This was also the first of three shoots with Raeceen. Respect and common sense go a long way in any field, but they are especially important in the photographer-model relationship. Trust is the common thread that weaves its way through every successful model shoot. My first job is to establish a trusting relationship with the lady I am about to photograph. Before I shoot the first frame of film-or fire off that first digital image, she needs to know that she is safe. I do not necessarily mean that she is safe from physical harm [although that is a factor]. She needs to know that I understand her personal limits and that I will not knowingly push her beyond those limits. She has to go home after a shoot and look at herself in the mirror and not feel embarrassed about what she did in the studio. Every lady is different. Some ladies are completely comfortable posing nude while others may only be comfortable modeling overcoats! Either case is fine because it represents HER comfort zone. I have worked with models on both ends of the spectrum: I've got some beautiful figure studies in my portfolio and some great Fall fashions!

This shot was one of the images of Ashley's first professional photo shoot. She is now too far away for us to work together, but we stay in touch to this day.

When your model arrives on the set, it becomes time to forget about being a photographer! Now you are a psychologist, comedian, confidant, and trusted ally. Work with her, talk to her, laugh with her, let her laugh at you! When you are trying to pose her, mirror those poses for her. If you want her to move her left arm, move your right arm. This eliminates that awkward question of "My left or his left."--Besides, sometimes poses that look great for a lady who is in front of the camera look downright goofy on the person behind the camera--especially if you happen to be a guy! If you aren't afraid to take on a silly looking pose, then maybe she'll be more comfortable moving into a pose that will look great when she does it.

So, How is it that a young lady would find herself in an uncomfortable position? Often times it happens quite innocently. I realize that every profession has its share of misanthropes, but I have to believe that MOST times it is because cues are misread. Young ladies--especially those who are new to modeling--are sometimes intimidated by the whole photo shoot set-up and are uncomfortable saying, "No, I really don't want to do that." A photographer may ask a model to start posing in ways that are different from what was established up front and not read her cues. She may acquiesce because she doesn't feel she has the right or the power to express her real feelings--or she may not really know how she feels.


OK, so this was my second shot with Flora!
The simplest way to avoid these situations is to talk to your model! Find out what she wants to do and what she is comfortable with. Plan your shoot in advance. Discuss what you will shoot and how it will be shot--and stick with it. If your shoot is going to include a "body shot," ask her whether she wants to model swimwear, body suits, and/or lingerie. Unless you are shooting for a particular client, have her bring her own wardrobe. She is more likely to be comfortable modeling an outfit that she packed herself. It's OK if there are other things you would like to shoot with her, but discuss these new ideas after the shoot. If she is interested, schedule another day to shoot and plan out that session as well. As I mentioned earlier, all forms of photography and modeling are fine--as long as everything has been discussed and agreed upon in advance. If you are the model, ASK what you will be asked to do.

Another way to build trust with your model is to learn how to read her body language. Your model's body language will often tell you more about how she is feeling than she may be willing or able to vocalize. "Listen" to her body language. She may have packed an outfit that she thought would be OK, but wasn't comfortable on the set. There have been many times I have said "This doesn't seem to be working, why don't you go change outfits!" Similarly, pay close attention to her eyes. There is an old cliché' about the eyes being the window to the soul. I'm not sure about that, but I do know that they can tell you a great deal about how comfortable she is on the set. If you sense some discomfort, talk it out. Let her know that you are on her side and that you respect what she is doing.

Jaime was a pleasure to work with as well.

As you are building her trust, you will also be building her confidence. Another way to keep her confidence going is to shoot as fast as your style-or camera-allows and keep it going. Shooting fast helps her to get into the flow of the shoot and does not give her time to become self-conscious. One mistake that most, if not all, new photographers make is waiting too long to push the button. I have taught several classes that include live model shoots. My students tend to over-direct and shoot very slowly. I have talked with some of the ladies who model for my classes and they tell me that when our students don't shoot, they begin to wonder whether they are doing a good job. You must remember that no matter how experienced your model is, she is human and will experience bouts of self-consciousness. Shooting fast will help keep her moving. You will also get some great "in-between" shots that are totally unplanned! You may never use some of these shots, but you can show her how much fun she had! I also try to talk as much as I can during a shoot. Give her feedback and get her going! If you aren't talking and it gets too quiet, you can bet she's thinking that something is wrong. What ever you do, don't give up on her. Tell her she looks great and what a wonderful shot was just taken. Above all, keep shooting.

This was one of my most fun shoots to date! Tiffany and Toni took the idea and did a great job with the make-up. Cassie, Sam and Serena had me laughing so hard that I almost couldn't press the shutter!

Oh yeah, if your model is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian is nearby. There have been the extremely rare times when a 17-year-old young lady showed up on the set without a parent. The first thing I did was to call her mom and explain exactly where we'd be, what we were shooting and about how long it would take.

I have been incredibly lucky. I am usually able to quickly establish a trusting relationship with the ladies who come to my studio. Many of the ladies I have worked with have become lifelong friends. The reward comes when I am showing a new model the pictures from our first shoot and I hear "Oooh, that's not me!" My goal is to have every model leave my studio feeling better about herself than when she walked in. There is simply no better feeling!

Midori remains one of my favorite ladies to work with.

The images that accompany this article are among my favorites. Many were taken during the first photo session with the model while others were part of a long standing relationship with her. They all show what I feel is an important hallmark of my work: Trust and comfort.