By Greg Tilley
Photographers need more skills than pushing the shutter down. Photographers also need to make their client feel comfortable while doing their job. That's where one's people skills come in handy.
It takes skills and talent to take exciting and beautiful pictures. Photography is both an art and a business. But if your lack people skills, so will your business. Your photography business won't succeed if you don't know how to make your clients feel relaxed or comfortable. That's where your people skills come in. They can become your long-term clients if they feel comfortable taking pictures with you. However, if you fail to make them feel comfortable, then you may lose their business.
How to Develop Great People Skills
Maintaining Eye Contact: If you're going to use a tripod to take someone's picture, it's a good idea to step away from the camera to make eye contact after you've lined up the shot. When your instructing them on their position or angle, always remember to keep eye contact. Rather than talk to them through your camera, do this instead so your clients will feel more comfortable. If you talk to them through your camera, then it can make them feel uncomfortable and alone. In order for your client to feel more comfortable, remember to maintain eye contact and keep the tone of your voice relaxed and conversational. Since talking to the camera for the entire session would make your client feel uncomfortable, it's possible they wouldn't want to return.
The Importance of Interaction. It's very important not to let things run dry and keep the interaction going throughout the entire session. Make them feel like they're talking to a friend while you instruct them on their position. If you want to earn their trust, then watch the tone of your voice, make good conversation, and make sure your body language projects a relaxed attitude. If you're a shy person then this could be a challenge for you. But you can still learn how to be more open with your clients. You can practice your people skills alone or with friends and family. You can try imagining yourself as the client and imagine how they would feel.
It takes skills and talent to take exciting and beautiful pictures. Photography is both an art and a business. But if your lack people skills, so will your business. Your photography business won't succeed if you don't know how to make your clients feel relaxed or comfortable. That's where your people skills come in. They can become your long-term clients if they feel comfortable taking pictures with you. However, if you fail to make them feel comfortable, then you may lose their business.
How to Develop Great People Skills
Maintaining Eye Contact: If you're going to use a tripod to take someone's picture, it's a good idea to step away from the camera to make eye contact after you've lined up the shot. When your instructing them on their position or angle, always remember to keep eye contact. Rather than talk to them through your camera, do this instead so your clients will feel more comfortable. If you talk to them through your camera, then it can make them feel uncomfortable and alone. In order for your client to feel more comfortable, remember to maintain eye contact and keep the tone of your voice relaxed and conversational. Since talking to the camera for the entire session would make your client feel uncomfortable, it's possible they wouldn't want to return.
The Importance of Interaction. It's very important not to let things run dry and keep the interaction going throughout the entire session. Make them feel like they're talking to a friend while you instruct them on their position. If you want to earn their trust, then watch the tone of your voice, make good conversation, and make sure your body language projects a relaxed attitude. If you're a shy person then this could be a challenge for you. But you can still learn how to be more open with your clients. You can practice your people skills alone or with friends and family. You can try imagining yourself as the client and imagine how they would feel.