Making your clients comfortable

Being in front of the camera is a vulnerable thing for most people. It’s not something that comes natural to us as humans. And while it can become easier to do over time, it’s SO important that, as a photographer, you do everything you an to help you clients feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Because as a result, you’re going to capture photos that feel true to your Client and that they love (and that you will too!).

So here are my top tips for how to support your clients in feeling more comfortable during their shoot 👇🏼

1) make your clients feel comfortable BEFORE you even meet them in real life. You can do this through emails, voice messages, instagram comments and DMs, real life meet-ups and more. Building and having a connection with your clients from day 1 is KEY.

2) get to know your clients more while you’re shooting – it doesn’t need to be all business! Chat about hobbies, food, pets, Taylor Swift, whatever your heart desires. This helps show your investment in them as a person and can be a helpful and comforting distraction.

3) play music during your session. Bring a speaker or play it from your phone directly – it doesn’t matter. Ask your clients what vibe they’re feeling. I do this in a questionnaire before their shoot but also check in day-of to see if there’s a certain energy they’re feeling on that particular day 

4) laugh WITH your clients when you ask them to laugh. We all know how awkward it is to be the only one laughing so don’t ask your clients to do it unless you plan to laugh with them. This also creates a more natural candid moment!

5) provide lots of posing direction & affirmations so they know they’re totally rocking it. We know how uncomfortable silence can be and during a shoot, it can be amplified. While you’re thinking about 93484 other things as a photographer, try to be conscious of giving affirmations throughout the shoot, especially when you’re actively shooting. You are your clients hype person, too!

6) be silly! show your quirks and be yourself. And then your clients will be themselves, too! Your clients know you as a photographer, but show yourself as a real person, too! 

7) check in with your clients throughout the shoot to see what they need. While you’re on a mission to get all the best photos, don’t forget that your Client has needs too. Check in a few times to see if they need: food, water, bathroom break, music change, etc!

8) continue to let your clients know how awesome their shoot was and how much they crushed it in your communication after the shoot too. Don’t let your focus on making your clients feel comfortable end at the shoot! The interim timeframe between the shoot and a Client getting their full gallery can also be nerve wracking for your Client. Send sneak peeks to your clients if you can to help build excitement for and confidence in their full gallery. 

9) be confident yourself! even if you have nerves before the shoot (totally normal), it’s a scenario to “fake it till you make it” because there’s a good chance your client is nervous so your confidence will help them feel more at ease.

And the list goes on but these are some big ones! Any stand out to you in particular?! let me know in the comments 🫶🏼

Jump over to my instagram to see these strategies in action! I’m always capturing #BTS whenever I can to give you a peek into what it’s like to work with me 🙂