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Working with Big Egos
September 18, 2007 by rg sends!
Filed under Photography
On some occasions, you might wind up with a great looking subject who knows she’s gorgeous and blatantly displays her ego, making sure everyone knows she’s hot. These are the types who will also tell you how the light and shadows are supposed to fall on her body, insisting that she knows the right light, the right look, the right poses, etc.
Fortunately, I only get these types of subjects once in a blue moon. When this happens, I let the client do her thing–but I’ll also purposely ask her questions to send her mind off in a different direction. This works best when you ask open-ended questions that require more than a simple yes or no in response. For example, instead of asking her if she likes being photographed, ask her what motivated her to get in front of the camera. Ask her what she studied in college, not if she went to college.
When you initiate a conversation like this, she’ll feel like she’s number one (and you should not treat her as any less), but it puts you in control of the shoot. That’s an important thing to remember: it’s your shoot. You are the one responsible for succeeding and you may have to be creative and make your communication skills work for you to ensure that it will happen.
Never be rude. Always be polite. And if need be, just agree that she is, in fact, God’s give to Earth. (Excerpt from my latest book, Rolando Gomez’s Glamour Photography: Professional Techniques and Images). Thanks, rg sends!
That is one kind of problem. Have you ever had a model who seemed to lack motivation and just kind of “sleepwalk” through a photo session? I am sure there are many possible reasons.