| Being a photographer is about more than just | | | | tone of voice, your words, and your gestures. |
| being able to push the shutter down. A | | | | This can prove to be difficult if you are a |
| photographer has to be able to make his | | | | really shy person. However, you can learn how |
| clients feel comfortable while still doing | | | | to be a more open person with your clients. |
| his job. People skills are important and they | | | | You can practice with family and friends, or |
| need to be appropriate with the situation of | | | | even just alone with a camera timer taking |
| the shoot. | | | | your own pictures. Imagine yourself as the |
| | | | client, and imagine how they would feel. |
| Being a photographer requires the skill and | | | | |
| talent to take beautiful, exciting, attention | | | | 3. Let Them Be: This goes especially if you |
| grabbing pictures. It is an art and a | | | | are taking pictures of children. It can be |
| business all in one. However, if your people | | | | difficult to take a picture of a fidgety or |
| skills are lacking, so will your business. If | | | | playful child. Let them feel more comfortable |
| you do not know how to make your clients feel | | | | during the shoot by just letting them be |
| comfortable and relaxed with you your | | | | themselves. You can capture some wonderful |
| photography business will not succeed. You | | | | and beautiful pictures of a child dancing, |
| need those people skills to make sure your | | | | playing with a stuffed animal, dressing up in |
| clients are relaxed and comfortable. If they | | | | play clothes, and more. Having these props |
| feel this way taking pictures with you, they | | | | available will make your little clients feel |
| will come back and possibly become long-term | | | | more comfortable and want to come back to |
| return clients. If they feel uncomfortable in | | | | take more pictures. Do the same with your |
| any way, you could lose their business for | | | | adult clients as well. Adults are more used |
| life. | | | | to getting into a particular position and |
| | | | being still for their pictures, but you can |
| 4 Steps to Great People Skills for | | | | remind them that they do not have to do that, |
| Photographers: | | | | especially if you sense that a client is a |
| | | | little fidgety. It can make them feel a lot |
| 1. Maintain Eye Contact: When you are using a | | | | more comfortable by allowing them to just be. |
| tripod to take someone's picture line up the | | | | Ask them what their favorite hobbies are. If |
| shot, and then step away from your camera to | | | | they love to write, let them write or draw on |
| make eye contact with your client. You can | | | | a pad of paper. You could catch some |
| then keep your eye contact by instructing | | | | beautiful expressions this way and possibly |
| them on their position, mood and angle. This | | | | win a client for life. |
| will help make your client feel more | | | | |
| comfortable than if you were to talk to them | | | | 4. Keep it Honest: Your client might want a |
| while looking through your camera. This can | | | | picture of himself or herself with a smile, |
| make them feel alone and uncomfortable. By | | | | but they might look more natural with a |
| making eye contact, speaking in a relaxed and | | | | frown. Keeping your pictures and clients |
| conversational tone you can make your client | | | | honest will result in some great pictures. |
| feel more comfortable. If your client has to | | | | When someone has to force a smile, or |
| talk to a camera for the entire session, they | | | | position himself or herself in an |
| may not feel very comfortable or much like | | | | uncomfortable way it will show through in the |
| returning to your place of business. | | | | picture. Keeping it honest and natural will |
| | | | result in better pictures for you and your |
| 2. Don't Let it Run Dry: Keep the interaction | | | | client. |
| going with your client throughout the entire | | | | |
| session. Make conversation, give them | | | | So, remember that having good people skills |
| compliments, instruct them in their position, | | | | as a photographer can really make a |
| and just make them feel like they are talking | | | | difference in your photography business. Keep |
| to their best friend that they have known for | | | | good eye contact, keep a good conversation |
| a long time. You must earn their trust | | | | going, allow your clients to be themselves, |
| through conversation, body language, and your | | | | and keep it honest and natural. |