| Whenever I have to go on a shoot I try to arrive a | | | | are setting down from the outset what you expect |
| few minutes early. That way I can take a good look | | | | of them. If they say they haven't got that much |
| around the place and see if there are any locations | | | | time then either say you will have to come back or |
| that are suitable for photography. At the very least it | | | | negotiate a little more. |
| allows me to get everything ready, calm down a little | | | | Either way, you are in control now and you tell THEM |
| and think about the job in hand. | | | | what YOU want, not the other way around. The |
| Calm down? Even after doing this job for many | | | | secret is to show ultimate confidence in what you |
| years I still get a little stressed on some jobs. This is | | | | are doing. So no apologies, no fiddling with the |
| natural and can be overcome by preparation, | | | | camera and definitely no comments like "I'm not very |
| pre-planning and attention to detail. | | | | good at this" or "I really don't understand this |
| You never really know what your subject is going to | | | | camera". |
| be like or how long they are going to make available | | | | Be prepared for your subject to say "I don't like |
| for you. | | | | having my photograph taken". In 25 years I would |
| In my book " Better Editorial and PR Photography" I | | | | say that 90 per-cent of people say that and to be |
| mention one shoot where I thought it was going to | | | | honest, I don't like having my photograph taken |
| take about 20 minutes, but the CEO had booked out | | | | either. |
| the whole day! On the other hand I have another | | | | The secret is to make the subject as relaxed as |
| where I thought I had an hour and ended up with | | | | possible - flatter them, be nice, talk to them. |
| two minutes! | | | | When I first arrive to photograph someone I take a |
| When you do meet your subject(s) greet them | | | | good long hard look. Is their hair a mess? Are their |
| enthusiastically and with a big smile. Introduce | | | | clothes sorted? Is their tie straight? |
| yourself, say what you want to shoot and how they | | | | If it isn't I usually say something like: "Do you want |
| are going to be used. This is important as many | | | | to spend a few minutes in the restroom making sure |
| people have no idea why they are being | | | | you are happy with your appearance? After all, these |
| photographed, other than "my secretary arranged it". | | | | pix are going to be around for a long time and you |
| So outline why you are photographing the person | | | | want to look your best, don't you?" |
| and how they will be used. | | | | This is more subtle than "you look a mess"! |
| I also say from the outset that I will need x number | | | | And trust me - if you photograph someone who |
| of minutes, usually no less than 20. That way, you | | | | looks a mess they will blame you, not themselves. |