CONTROL

As a photographer, you always have to be in control of the situation. Confidence on set is the most important part of being a photographer.

The worst thing a photographer can do is appear flustered or confused. Once the model, makeup artist or stylists see that, you have just driven off a cliff. The model will clam up and get nervous. Your team will turn on you. And that’s when things start to go horribly wrong.

Being a photographer, is like being a pilot on a commercial flight. You always want to seem calm, cool and in control, even if you just hit massive turbulence. If you appear completely in control of the situation and keep the demeanor that you know what you are doing, the model will usually open up and give you exactly what you need.
Also, it’s good to have a couple of lighting recipes that you KNOW will work and have tested many many times. If you’re trying a new lighting technique or using new equipment and it’s failing, you can quickly fall back on something you’re a master at.

And NEVER EVER give the impression you were struggling.

November 22, 2010. photography, technique.