Things NOT TO DO during a shoot
Raksmey is back at it again and this time, she wants a portrait with her bike. However, instead of a portrait in her cosplay, she wanted just to be her normal self. One of the major hurdles was that she had little experience posing.
"Challenged accepted", I said to myself. "This should be pretty easy."
Well, that wasn't the case and I never had been so frustrated. Looking back, I realized how important the photographer is in controlling the mood of the atmosphere. My frustration made it kinda tense, for everybody. So I took home some valuable experience and here are few things I learned to NOT do during a shoot:
1. Do not mumble to your model
Huuuuh????
Seems kinda like a no-brainer, but if your model has no experience posing, they're gonna rely heavily on your directions. And if you can't clearly communicate it, well you're gonna get those, "what" moments. Guide her like a road map (the simple ones on google).
2. Do not rely on the boyfriend to give directions
Once again, seems like another no-brainer, but when frustrations settles in, natural habit tells me to step back and out. Still, for some reason my logic lead me to let the boyfriend direct because you know, they have a closer relationship and they understand each other. Unfortunately, like what all relationships experience, is misunderstanding and not listening. Well, she had a hard time listening.
"What about the foot???"
3. Do not place someone more confident next to your struggling subject
<____< Umm excuse me...
One would think putting someone more confident in posing would make Raksmey more relaxed. Think again, it just feels like her little bubble is invaded.
Finally, but not the least:
4. Do not settle for the Asian gang sign as an acceptable form of posing
The infamous gang sign Asians like to put up.
I hope these tips can be of much use for whatever photographic projects or assignments in the future. Just realize, there is a lot of sarcasm with these tips and it should not be taken seriously. At the end of the day, I had fun and frustration, but it's part of the learning process. It's important to take that home and reflect. So next time, the same mistakes will not be made or a new technique could be readily deployed. Here are some of my favorites of that evening:
Cambodians are beautiful
I was laughing and it became contagious
Natural and relaxed, my kind of set
His hair is so awesome!
"Own her" I said, "Put your arm around her."
Photos can just bring a flashback of an experience. This one brings me back to when I was in a relationship.
My favorite one of all
If you any ideas or assignments for me to shoot, please I would love to hear them!
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Maya is finally graduating! Photographed this smart and spunky, young woman at Amos Herr Park located in Landisville, PA.