I am extremely shy and would love to pursue photography as a vocation, until tonight I thought the two where mutually exclusive, an oxymoron.
I did my first photoshoot a couple of weeks back and was so disappointing in the photos, they where nothing like I take of my own children. It really affected the little self confidence I had....until I read a blog tonight. It explained I wasn't giving my clients anything to do, I was waiting for them to give me the perfect shot...my lack of assertiveness and my shyness had affected the shoot.
It gave me a little boost, it wasn't my photography but my shyness (though I know I still have a LOT to learn about photography!).
Which led me to find this free e-book http://www.photographyconcentrate.com/shy-photographers-guide-confidence/ so I thought I would share. (there seems to be a problem downloading in Firefox, I downloaded it in Chrome)
I am not affiliated with this at all, i just wanted to share with others in the same position :)
You are so right, Lisa! Portrait photography requires interaction with ones client. Getting them to feel so relaxed and comfortable that they forget the camera's there is paramount! That's why your shots of your own kids are so much more pleasing to you - your kids are comfortable with you.
Oh thanks Lisa! I'm trying to decide whether or not to start a blog and approach people I don't know for photos and interviews - I think this would help with that too!
Keep at it Lisa - your portraits are just fabulous. You will overcome your shyness with some effort. My son was the shyest person on the planet. He didn't speak to anyone except me and his Dad 'till he was eight. He is now working in Germany with disabled adults and he's fluent to C2 in German.
The secret is to think of them only - not yourself. Focus on them as much as the camera does.
You are so very talented and have a great future in portrait photography. Give this shyness the boot!
So interesting. Part of the reason for my 365 project is for me to relate to people better/differently. Check it out and let me know what you think. (My dog helps, that's for sure.)
Thanks Lisa for posting this. Im actually downloading it right now.
Im not quite ready to give having clients a go quite yet but I will admit, I would think it would make you an all around better portrait photographer to know how to interact with anyone your photographing. Your own kids tend to be slightly easier because you know them and their mannerisms-what they enjoy. Even family, or nieces and nephews could prove to be more challenging! Ive been enlisted to get some pictures for my mom and hopefully your link will help me out!!!! :)
@mummarazzii I have never really considered my self "outgoing" or "confident" when it comes to relating to people I don't know. If anything I would say I'm more on the shy side myself. However, I have found that by having a camera in my hand, my inner "Manager" comes out! :) I've done several shots with people I've never met (or barely knew) and each time as soon as I get the camera in front of me it just seems natural to "help" them into what I need them to do. They've always responded really well.
@katiebrenkert In my case, it's SO MUCH HARDER for me to photograph my kids! I feel like maybe they know me too well so they don't think they have to really listen and do what I say. They tend to get very whiney very quickly. With client's kids they just seem to be so much better behaved. Maybe I need to take a mommy lesson from you! :)
If you truly want to get out of your comfort zone and learn to talk with people do this project. It will help you to approach people and talk with them while photographing them with their knowledge. http://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/
@timandelke yes, I have no problems telling my kids what to do lol :) @mariboo@judithg@lisjam1@shutterbugger@olgairb@leannh :) I hope it helps. I think it is hard for others to understand how debilitating shyness can be! @boogie thank you so much for the encouragement Mags, it means a lot :) Wonderful advice, I will try that! @katiebrenkert yep it is easier with your own children. I hope it helps. I think your photo' are gorgeous :) @karvimages I like that, your inner manager lol Thats great that you canpompt your clients so well, I would love to get there! @dmortega thanks for the link Dorrena I will have a look :)
interesting topic. this is why you rarely see any people in my photographs. i am terribly shy as well, and as someone put it once, photographing someone is a very intimate experience. I am working on it though, and trying to get more experience with shooting people but it's still hard for me. I will take a look at that link you posted!
@karvimages ha! I totally get where your coming from. Every picture is a race against my 5 year old. If I want to photograph a flower, I have to race before he picks it. if I have to run to get my camera, forget it, I dont have a chance. But, if Im all stealth-like and sneaky, I can usually get a few pictures before anyone notices. I can think of maybe 4 shots where Ive asked him to do something and he's actually done it! candid! That's where it's at. :) @mummarazzii Thanks Lisa for the little boost of confidence! I keep waiting for this whole photography thing to click and my pictures get that little boost of "something special". Lord knows, I'll keep practicing until I get it!
@mummarazzii@katiebrenkert In my opinion, you both are already amazing photographers!! I look at both of your albums and hope that some day I can get to where YOU are!
Hi folks i've just joined this 365 project and i feel compelled to comment, as a shy photographer. The other day there I am shooting at anything of interest around me and trying to take a shot of bus reflection in the water. When a young family approached me and asked me to take their picture, sure why not - exposure right! But boy oh boy was I nervous. I had one lot of settings on the camera for the water shot and I didnt even change them for this lovely family. After a few deep breaths i took about 4 shots then change the settings and took 4 more shots. The family were happy with the pics emailed over later that night. But I was so scared to get it wrong and everything that I had read, practiced and learnt went straight out of my head. Any tips to overcome 'stranger' nerves so I can take both candid and model shots without the drama?
I tend to stick to nature and landscapes, but would love to branch out to portraits and possibly other areas! I like the randomness of candid camera shots, some people may not like them, but I find them insightful to the character of the person being photographed
Am the same. I struggle to do street photography as panic a bit. But i did a shoot the other day, mother and 2 year old daugther, friend of a friend, so did not know them at all.So was totally nervous as i did not know how i would do it. But thankfully,after a few clicks, the nerves seemed to go away, replaced by feeling excited.
The two year old was a right handful, but got some lovely shots out of it and the mother was so happy.
Even said compared to when she went to venture, i was a lot better and comfortable to be around :)
Keep going Lisa :) The first time is always the worse. Am still scared stiff and i have a few models coming in :S
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The secret is to think of them only - not yourself. Focus on them as much as the camera does.
You are so very talented and have a great future in portrait photography. Give this shyness the boot!
Im not quite ready to give having clients a go quite yet but I will admit, I would think it would make you an all around better portrait photographer to know how to interact with anyone your photographing. Your own kids tend to be slightly easier because you know them and their mannerisms-what they enjoy. Even family, or nieces and nephews could prove to be more challenging! Ive been enlisted to get some pictures for my mom and hopefully your link will help me out!!!! :)
@katiebrenkert In my case, it's SO MUCH HARDER for me to photograph my kids! I feel like maybe they know me too well so they don't think they have to really listen and do what I say. They tend to get very whiney very quickly. With client's kids they just seem to be so much better behaved. Maybe I need to take a mommy lesson from you! :)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/
@mariboo @judithg @lisjam1 @shutterbugger @olgairb @leannh :) I hope it helps. I think it is hard for others to understand how debilitating shyness can be!
@boogie thank you so much for the encouragement Mags, it means a lot :) Wonderful advice, I will try that!
@katiebrenkert yep it is easier with your own children. I hope it helps. I think your photo' are gorgeous :)
@karvimages I like that, your inner manager lol Thats great that you canpompt your clients so well, I would love to get there!
@dmortega thanks for the link Dorrena I will have a look :)
@mummarazzii Thanks Lisa for the little boost of confidence! I keep waiting for this whole photography thing to click and my pictures get that little boost of "something special". Lord knows, I'll keep practicing until I get it!
The two year old was a right handful, but got some lovely shots out of it and the mother was so happy.
Even said compared to when she went to venture, i was a lot better and comfortable to be around :)
Keep going Lisa :) The first time is always the worse. Am still scared stiff and i have a few models coming in :S