From: Walt Gilbert
I'm in a bit of a sticky situation in that regard, living in a town of
about 350 people, and the biggest town within reasonable driving
distance being about 35,000 (Paducah, Kentucky). Though, despite the
lack of a big population center, I don't really have that much trouble
finding people to pose for me. In fact, I constantly have people asking
me if I'll take pictures of their daughters/sons/grandkids, etc. The
biggest challenge is getting people to follow up after they ask me. I've
come to the conclusion that, for a lot of people, when they find out
you're a photographer, they just like to say things like that as a means
of small-talk.
Normally, when someone asks me to do something like that, I stipulate
that I'm not by any means a pro photographer with a studio and lighting
and backdrops. At that point, they say, "Oh, I don't care about that!
I'm sure you'd do a great job!" Then, they never bother contacting me
about it.
Which is really OK with me, to be honest. Whenever I try to talk someone
into posing for me (like the young lady I mentioned), I'm looking to
take very casual portraits. I manage to get decent results whenever I do
it completely impromptu -- even when they're shy or reluctant. I just
try to catch them in unguarded moments. (I'm not quite sure I'd be all
that comfortable in a formal "sitting" situation, myself.)
I guess my approach could be best described as getting someone to simply
be somewhere (or tell me where they're going to be), let them just do
what they do and be who they are, and tell them to just try to ignore me
-- or at least pretend I'm not there. That's why I like to shoot at
gatherings and events. I just love capturing candid moments, and I'm
pretty good at putting people at ease once I've had a chance to mingle
and blend in.
-- Walt
One thing that may be hurting you is when you tell people you're not any
good (which is what your stipulations are doing), they'll believe you.
When someone asks you if you can take photos of their kids/grand-kids,
just say yes. The only thing you need them to think about is when &
where you're going to do the shoot. Get a commitment on that.
You don't need a studio for informal portraits. Find some public
locations that substitute for those studio backgrounds you don't have &
use the tools you *do* have. All you need is a "neutral" background you
can throw out of focus and skylight. Earth tones ROCK!
Add a little fill flash and you're good to go for informal portraits.
As you build your portfolio, you build your professionalism, and
moreover build your reputation for professionalism. That might help
reassure the shy young lady that you're not just clown with a camera
trying to hit on her.
--
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