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