As photographers we are working with all kinds of people. Through all my years of working in the industry I have come up with 5 tips for photographing shy seniors. It doesn’t have to be as hard as you think it is.
Shy people, and seniors in this case, are not much different that all my other clients. Whether you have a chatty, outgoing senior, or a senior that might only say two words, all they both want is great photos. That is why they came to me to begin with.
From shy to pro
- Book the correct session. This may seem simple but trust me, there’s a little to it. If you don’t book enough time then there is no time to warm up. We have all been there. It is overwhelming to think that we are going to be photographed. If we don’t have time to warm up and get comfortable we might end up with stiff photos. Most of the time a mini session or a 30 minute session is not enough time for a shy person to come out of their shell. They will feel rushed and the photos will show it. Those fast sessions are Fot the pros.
- Pick the right outfit. What we wear affects how we feel. And that goes for all clients. If we are uncomfortable in our clothes we will look uncomfortable in our photos. This doesn’t mean showing up in the comfy, rainy Sunday clothes. Feel good, look good. That’s my motto.
- Talk to them not at them. And this goes for all seniors. One of the things I love most about senior photography is getting to talk to seniors. They are funny and smart. They are on the edge of their new lives and it is so exciting. I ask so many questions. And not because I have to but because I like to. Getting to know my seniors really helps them come out of their shell.
- Help with posing. Sure, some teens might be Instagram experts and will nail the pose without me saying one word. But most seniors are not like that. Most seniors don’t know what to do with their hands. I help them by saying exactly what I want them to do. And when I see them doing something naturally that I love I tell them immediately that they did something I love! There’s a lot of, “Stop! That looks awesome!!! Do that again!” And yes, I use a lot of drama. That’s just me. I am a little bit too much but just enough.
- Finally, the last step is I show them how good they look! I show them the back of the camera when they nail that shot. There is no ego booster better than seeing the awesome results.
Shy Seniors Crushing their session
Finally, with these tips for photographing shy seniors, the session should a be a huge success. And it’s so rewarding to see the shy person turn into someone that can rock the session.
