When first entering the photography industry, I was most concerned with learning the technicalities of my equipment and softwares. And I am so happy I did. However, there was a big piece of the puzzle that I did not realize the importance of: the importance of direction. Not what happens before and after a session, but at the session itself.
It may sound silly. You think, well, I have my location, I have my camera, the client, and a vision. But executing that vision is on you, not the client. They’ve booked you for a service and it is your obligation to create a welcoming atmosphere for them. It sounds obvious and maybe easy. I’ve learned since being on the field that you should never get to a point where the client should worry about being awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera. It’s on us to relieve this anxiety. With adequate direction, your confidence will be contagious and you will both create something you are proud to show others.
I first start with searching Pinterest for posing and atmospheric inspiration. This is pretty industry standard, and I thought for a while that this was enough to get me through each session. However, creating a story to connect the poses, allows the client to feel less tense and build trust with you and your brand. Historically, I would show up to sessions work with clients to recreate the pose in a technical form, yet struggled in transitioning between poses naturally. However, taking the poses and creating movement around them releases tension and creates more of a memory than ‘Stand here, arms here, eyes here’.
I recently worked with a client where we listened to music. We danced like we were in our childhood bedroom. We pretended to do a Victoria’s Secret Runway walk like we’re drunk. It’s unserious. We laughed. We captured real smiles. We made memories. We built a connection.
At the end of the day, the connections are what matter most in this industry. From capturing someone's new profile picture to their engagement photos, wedding, maternity session, and family portraits, photography often becomes part of some of life's most meaningful milestones. Taking the time to prioritize your direction when working with a client is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned since becoming a photographer.