Blog Post Week 2
Models vary from good to bad and are judged on this based on one major category, their cooperation. Depending on how well they cooperate during a shoot will choose if they are good or bad. Now if the model isn’t exactly listening then there are ways to go about this to make your life as the photographer easier.
First thing you could do to help with an uncooperative model is bribe them with something. For example if you were trying to get shoots of a client’s child then bribing them with sweets like a lollipop could help them focus on staying still or giving a cute face for the camera. Bribing them sounds weird but works like depending on the person it could be the only way to have them work with you instead of mess around.
Another solution to this issue could be to just make the model more comfortable and make them feels less out of place. Most people tend to feel uncomfortable or are just straight up shy and panic when the camera points there way. So making them feel at home could help get the shoots you need faster. A way to go about this by maybe telling jokes that make them laugh and have a good smile for a picture. Or telling relatable stories so instead of realizing they are in front of a camera they are busy talking, and then you seem like a friend and can just sneak in shoots. And the last way I know to make a model comfortable is to simply play music of their choice so they can feel better.
Along with making them feel at ease, flattering works wonders. By flattering I mean compliments about their appearance to where they no longer feel self-conscious. So if you have a shy model to where they think they look bad so they don’t want you to take a photo of them just compliment them and they will stop acting shy and cooperate.
My last tip that I know of from experience is if they are working with you let them do their own thing but in range to where they don’t feel the lens on them and just get a candid shot of them. Candid shots are the most alive shots because they are actual genuine moments captured. For example if you are in studio with them and they are standing there just tell them to take a break but stay there and say you’re getting a new card and just have them being themselves and just sneak the shot in. There you got a candid shot of them and people always love seeing the real selves capture instead of one being forced into a dumb position.
Overall there are four methods to my knowledge on how to deal with an uncooperative model and make them be cooperative. Of course there are more ways but in my years if shooting I have found these to work best with some of the most uncooperative models.