Clients that are a bit "awkward" or hard to pose... Images Included.

YoungPhotoGirl · Jun 28, 2012

I think (or hope) everyone will agree that the first image looks to posed and awkward and the second looks far more natural and relaxed.
Luckily with this particular photoshoot I got several that looked comfortable. But what do you do when you get a client that just SIMPLY CANNOT look natural at all in the slightest?
I've had this issue a lot and feel it ruins my photo.
Clients also seem to think its your fault (seeing as I am posing them) BUT I try to make them understand, and some people just don't have that natural comfort-look in photos.....
I HATE it and would love to get some suggestions.
I have already tried allowing the client to pose themselves, but that always makes it 10x worse!!!
I hate unnatural looking poses!
Thanks in advance

Espike · Jun 28, 2012

In my experience, the ocean is cold. That would make me uncomfortable if I was laying in it.
If you made me lay in the ocean, I'd blame you for my uncomfortable look too.

virustai · Jun 28, 2012

I think there are some people who feel uncomfortable in front of camera. What I always do is I tell story or brainstorm before the session. Also, it is important to let the clients know that they never look stupid in those posing. Said word like "awesome", "I think we had some great shots today", "you did great" to build up their confidence. Most important is not to rush them.

rlemert · Jun 28, 2012

Espike said:
In my experience, the ocean is cold. That would make me uncomfortable if I was laying in it.
If you made me lay in the ocean, I'd blame you for my uncomfortable look too.

It's easy to make the mistake that conditions in your neck of the woods are universal, but they're not. I don't know how things are in New Zealand, but here in the States the Gulf Coast and the southern Atlantic Coast waters are both quite warm this time of year. She might still be uncomfortable laying in the water, but it's not necessarily from the cold.

paigew · Jun 28, 2012

I think it is your job to make the client feel comfortable. You have to find poses that are right for each specific person, it has to match their style kwim?

53cent · Jun 28, 2012

I'm with paigew on this one!

12sndsgood · Jun 28, 2012

I feel it's my job as the photographer to put them in a good position. if they aren't in a good postion, its my fault the picture is ruined, not there's. The more you work with people the better you become at posing them and getting them to understand what your wanting. Ive found if the person your working with isn't great at posing, put them in very simple poses. the easier the better.

jowensphoto · Jun 28, 2012

Part of a portriat photographer's job is to help pose and capture a REAL person in his/her best light (pun fully intended). They are not professional models, nor do you have a creative director on hand to assist with this.

Talk to your client and connect during the shoot. It shouldn't be just, "Do this. Now do that." A real conversation about any non-sensitive topic can do wonders when it comes to putting a client at ease. If your client is OK with a drink and of the legal age in your area, a glass or two of wine/champagne can help too

ChefPO · Jun 28, 2012

If you're not having fun than you're not having fun. How do you look when your not having fun?
More importantly, how do you look when you are uncomfortable and the person you're paying to show you at your best is taking a picture of you not having fun?

Espike · Jun 28, 2012

rlemert said:
Espike said:

In my experience, the ocean is cold. That would make me uncomfortable if I was laying in it.
If you made me lay in the ocean, I'd blame you for my uncomfortable look too.

Click to expand...

It's easy to make the mistake that conditions in your neck of the woods are universal, but they're not. I don't know how things are in New Zealand, but here in the States the Gulf Coast and the southern Atlantic Coast waters are both quite warm this time of year. She might still be uncomfortable laying in the water, but it's not necessarily from the cold.

I guess that's why I said "In my experience".

durhamskywriter · Jun 28, 2012

i live in a small city, and yet in my library there are dozens of books on photography (both showcase and instructional). maybe your library does as well. if that's the case, thumb through some beach-modeling photos with your client and find some cool shots to replicate (in your own way, of course). if both of you share the same vision, it will be easier to come up with photos you'll be pleased with.

rexbobcat · Jun 28, 2012

Maybe it's because those aren't natural poses. There's a reason why there are certain poses that are deemed "traditional" and whatnot. They are tried and true. I think that out of the box poses are more successful for regular people who are in comfortable area such as a living room, or a grassy field. Sand and what ocean water, regardless of temperature, are not two places I consider comfortable to be lying (laying?) in while in a summer dress.

I mean, someone who has legit modeling experience has a better skill set to deal with unordinary conditions and still remain natural and composed.

And from what I can tell, the subject in the photos does not have the modeling experience to handle those areas/poses on her own without you deliberately moving her body to the way that you want her to be, so she just looks awkward and in the second photo kind of...dead...

Sometimes telling and directing is not enough. I've had to move limbs, tilt heads, and straighten backs before, because it seems very hard for just a normal person to visualize and understand what their body is doing without a mirror in front of them.

YoungPhotoGirl · Jun 28, 2012

Espike said:
In my experience, the ocean is cold. That would make me uncomfortable if I was laying in it.
If you made me lay in the ocean, I'd blame you for my uncomfortable look too.

I didn't make her...
She wanted to, she bought a "Trash The Dress" Photoshoot

YoungPhotoGirl · Jun 28, 2012

12sndsgood said:
I feel it's my job as the photographer to put them in a good position. if they aren't in a good postion, its my fault the picture is ruined, not there's. The more you work with people the better you become at posing them and getting them to understand what your wanting. Ive found if the person your working with isn't great at posing, put them in very simple poses. the easier the better.

Sorry, I don't think I worded myself right.
I was meaning what do you do when you get people that are "just awkward" no matter what the pose is.

jowensphoto · Jun 28, 2012

Some people are less photogenic.

Again, it's the photographers job to make them look their best. There are many ways to do that in camera and in post.

Something a mentor taught me is to ask the client his/her favorite and least favorite things about their physical selves. Then tell them what you like best. Downplay the "flaws" and high light the better features.