 Maria Melnyk |
Taking Portraits of Friends Hey, gang. Once in a while, someone who's a good friend asks me to do a portrait of them or their family. The problem I sometimes have with friends is that they usually want to place themselves in front of the camera their own way, and don't want me to pose them properly. I just did a family portrait of 7 people for close friends who all wanted to stand against the wall like in a police line-up! It took a lot of coaxing and explaining that this will not look good. Finally, I was able to take them outdoors and posed them beautifully sitting on the grass with each head a different height. They loved it. But does anyone have any suggestions on how I can avoid this frustration in the future? The same goes with clothing. "Real" clients listen when I tell them to color-coordinate their clothes, but friends just don't seem to "get it" and dress their own way. Then they wonder why "that other portrait you did of some other family" looks so much better.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Good morning, Maria, I know it can be frustrating! Sometimes with friends and family, you have to remind them - in laughter - that you are the professional. Or say, hey, if you're going to do it this casual, I want to be in it too, and hand off the camera. This usually will bring it to their attention that "oh yeah, you do this for a living ..." Sometimes (more offten), it is just easier and more loving to say: "OK, let's take it your way, then you just have to let me do one my way." Then they will see the difference. I have been doing this for years and yet, with my family ... OOOHHH!! It can still be a struggle. Between the excitement of the event and seeing each other, they forget and all have an opinion. So my friend, just KEEP it FUN! We don't always have to be in control of anything but our patience, lol. I do hope this helps to know it's the same for all of us, Debby
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Kerry L. Walker |
Just gently lead them. Explain that you know what you are doing and that you just want them to look their best. When they pose themselves, tell them that they look great, but the pose doesn't do them justice. When they do as you ask, tell them how beautiful they look. Everyone loves a little flattery.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I should have waited to post. Our resident expert on posing is now among us with her usual wonderful advice. I'll go back to my pot - pot of coffee that is.
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Diane Dupuis |
I would take one or two their way (just to show them after how police line-up they really look) and then gently convince them to try a few new things.
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Ryan Raasch |
Hi Maria. Letting friends and family create the first pose is always fun. I typically suggest, and more often than not, request that they create the first few poses. This keeps the atmosphere relaxed and helps me know what they are trying to accomplish without my sounding like the "professional" they don't want to pay for (we are talking about family, right?). Having seen what they are trying to do, I can coax them into the placements that will get what they really want. For example, "Suzy, if you stand here next to Waldo it will bring out the color of your eyes and show off your pretty new dress", etc. This adds the flattery without sounding "bossy". At any event, family or paid, I try to get the people involved to where they feel comfortable around the camera; I take direction as well as give it. I've found that when they feel comfortable in front of the camera, the pictures are always better.
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dennis w. mcclain |
keep in min dthe old addage " the costmomer is always right" giver them exactly mwhat they want, then ask to do some that you would like just for kicks and giggles. in the end they will probably wind up getting the pose that you chose. at lweast ive had good luck doing this. if you aproach it with the attitude that they are getting what they want, but you also would like some practice with a a new pose you saw or some thing, they seem to be very open to this. the challange is always to give them what they want and get great pictures
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