6 Tips for Making Clients Feel Comfortable During a Session

You might encounter jittery teenagers, stressed-out couples, or grumpy kids during a shoot. If they don't feel relaxed or confident, you’ll have to work extra hard to get the photos you want. Here are 6 tips to making your clients feel comfortable during a photoshoot so that you can capture memorable and beautiful pictures.

As a photographer, you can make clients comfortable during a photoshoot by giving posing tips and compliments, communicating with them, and being confident in yourself. Planning with them and setting expectations can also put them at ease.

Let's look into the common reasons why clients become uncomfortable during a shoot and what you can do to help calm their nerves in front of a camera.

Guide Clients in Posing

Some clients won't know their best angles, what to do with their feet, or where to place their hands - that’s okay though! As a photographer, it’s your job to talk your client through various poses to figure out what looks best for them.

Whether you’re photographing a couple on their wedding day, shooting women for a boudoir session, or taking photos of senior guys, take time before the session to think through poses and prompts that you’ll want to use. Remember, they’re likely a bit nervous to be in front of the camera, so find ways to break the ice and make it fun and easy for them!   

Get Them Excited for the Session

If you have the opportunity to set up a meeting with your client before the shoot (in person or through Zoom), try to do this! If they can sense your energy and excitement prior to the session, it’s going to help get them pumped for the shoot, along with increasing their trust in selecting you as their photographer. During this meeting, you can also share tips for how they can best prepare for the type of shoot they have coming up with you. 

Suggest what they can wear that will suit their overall theme and what accessories to avoid. Explain what happens in a photoshoot to visualize themselves in the situation. Clients are generally much more comfortable if they know what to expect and feel prepared for the shoot.

Connect With Them

There are times when you won't meet your clients until the day of the photo session. Do anything that can make them feel like you're someone they can trust, not a stranger behind the camera.

• Ask questions about what they feel most excited about the shoot

• Exchange stories about your experiences in photoshoots

• Joke with them, be light-hearted

• Take breaks, walking between locations is great for short breaks & chatting

• Don't rush and let your clients work at their pace

Compliment Them Genuinely

Affirm them about how their hairstyles make them look more fabulous or that they're doing great with their natural smiles. You don't have to praise clients every minute, yet showing genuine appreciation for how they prepared for the shoot can boost their confidence.

Give a Sneak Peek

Another way to make your clients feel comfortable during a shoot is to show them what they actually look like in the photos. When you snap a great image, show it to them to boost their confidence. Sometimes, clients don’t think that they're doing well until they see for themselves.

Giving a sneak peek is also a great way to know what makes them self-conscious. In this way, you can avoid the things they dislike and have the chance to try something else.

Be Confident

Finally, be confident in yourself and your craft as a photographer! It's normal to feel anxious about a shoot, particularly when things are not going according to plan.

Since you’re in charge of the session, clients rely on your expertise and guidance. Your confidence can radiate toward other people, and if your clients see that you're calm and collected, they can become at ease as well.

To wrap up, taking quality photos isn't only about composition, equipment, or aesthetics. Being a good photographer also involves connecting with your clients, so you can make sure they have a delightful photo experience. Such positive emotions can reflect in your photos and your ability to provide the best service possible.