6 Tips For Better Interaction With Your Models - For Photographers 

This is the topic that matters the most. A serious shooting is a very intimate thing and trust is really important. As soon as the model feels an insecurity of the photographer, he or she will become insecure too. It matters a lot who you shoot. I often feel like photographers don't pay attention if the person in front of them is more introverted or extroverted and they often times force the person to be extroverted, happy, active. A huge mistake, even calm or even sad moments can turn into incredible portraits.

1. Play music 2. Warm up or chat with them 3. Never stop talking 4. Compliment your model 5. Tethering (optional) 6. The photo-booth

I transitioned from landscape and building photography to portraiture. I realised soon on just how important a good early ice breaker was in avoiding any awkwardness or stiffness, forced poses etc. So I would ask the person or persons I was shooting what their favourite song was and that would be first on the playlist. Then while it played I'd encourage a bit of random silliness and sometimes a little bit of dancing. It was like having a quick P.E. lesson, but usually loosened everyone up a bit. I also have a list of jokes in my back pocket for when I want to provoke facial expressions. I've never researched how other photographers interact with models, so this video is very insightful.

Hopefully, you won't stop making videos after a while because I just found your channel and I fucking love your stuff.

This was so well put together ! I fell in love with this photograph between his tips and the imagery he would strategically place in between the tips showing the realness of his tips and how personable he really is with his clients !

I wish I had something more poetic to say, but I just wanted to express my gratitude for this video! I've only seen 2 of your videos so far and I subscribed after the first one. The way you explain these things is just brilliant. I watch a lot of photography related videos and I feel like I get so much value when watching yours. Thank you so much for sharing!

Many RU-vidr Photographer has this "tips for model shoot" videos but all of them are just the same and none of them are really that helpful. But this one's different, this one is spot on! Thanks for this man, very helpful tips!

Amazing tips indeed. I am having my first client shoot in 2 weeks and already very existed. Thanks for sharing those tips.

Cheers! Thanks for this.

This is the most important lesson I have learnt so far, cheers buddy. Keep em coming!

Amateur photographer here watching this before a shoot with a model. Very helpful tips. Thanks a lot!

Thanks Tommy. I fully agree with you. The booth-tip is great. It is so close, but I never thought of it. And tip number 7: Always have fun and a great time with your client - that's what they keep mostly in mind...I'm happy that I found you on youtube - keep on doing. Thanks!

Thank you for sharing this, really learnt alot

Great video. I’m at a point where I feel I’m technically proficient. But it’s the interaction with clients and getting great expressions that’s the hard part. And there is so little out there regarding that. These days anyone can pick up a dslr and get well exposed sharp images. But getting images with great expressions and emotion is what separates good photographers from great ones.

Solid advice and a useful reminder even for the ones known. Re-edit - tip 6.. GOLD!!

Always great advice from you!🙏

This is brilliant! Thank you very much

amazing. thanks for the video! A very good reminder to be real and positive )

I'm a very shy photographer and this helped me tremendously. Thank you so very much!!

I like the photo booth idea. It'd be a good ice breaker for clients who are nervous or stiff when starting. It'd be fun too.

wow I just love the way you gesticulate with your hands! great video tommy!

These are the tips that really unite and stand out! Thank you for your tips! I really love your vids! Keep making more like this!!!

Great video! Lots of useful tips!

Some really solid tips, fantastic. I really learned a thing or two, and it also got me reflecting on past photoshoots which didn't go too great - and I think it was actually because of some of the examples you mention. Thank you!

Love the tips. Thank you!

This guy really have good and funny personality, why only just now i discover this amazing channel. More video pleaseee!

I used this last weekend. SUPER high pressure situation. I asked her, tell me one thing about you that that I wouldn't find on America's Most Wanted? She laughed very hard and the ice was broken. The session went splendidly after that. Thanks for the tips.

Really helpful and spot on. There are so many vids now about equipment and setup it's really helpful to find this one about the personal side of working with people.

Super helpful video! I'd say I'm good with photography (especially concerts and street/photojournalism). Portraits have always been an intimidating idea because I have NO idea how to interact with models. I actually did a portrait shoot a few days ago (first one. Wasn't paid, just as a favor for a friend) and hoooooly crap. Yeah, it definitely isn't so much about the gear but more about the interactions. Watching this video makes me realize that I made so many mistakes! Especially @04:22. THAT WAS LEGIT ME! GAAAAHHH!! I cringed so hard when I saw that because that is exactly what I was doing! I guess this is how you learn. But this video is super helpful for my next portrait shoot, whenever that is.

great tips Tommy.

As an introvert this video is helpful, I don’t like telling people what to do

This was great! Watched it right before heading out for a senior session. I am in my late 30s and feel like I struggle with the teens. I am clearly uncool - whaaa?! Thanks for the video, the confidence boost, and sharing your beautiful images.

On tethering: I like the idea, especially with Capture One software. Clients can instantly see how the photos look and can order right at the session if they wish. However, with tethering no images are saved in your camera. That means that if an image - and it's usually a very good one - is corrupted when opening it in the editing software it's lost. There's no backup. I leave all images on my camera card until I edit them. I have had images corrupted when opening them to edit, but I had the original raw file still in camera, so nothing was lost except a little time.

Thank you so much!

Thank you!

great information man 🍻 thanks for that.

this is so amazing !! thank you

Agreed! My motto for photography is that you take the photo with a camera, but you don't create it with a camera.

Great tips!!

Awesome as ever Mr Reynolds, awesome. Thanks for the fab tips👍🏻

I'm glad i watched this video man. Thank you so much for sharing soke valuable information

Thank you so much

you've become my new favourite youtuber. Great tips

Very nice video. Helpful.

Hey Tommy, Just stumbled across this gem. I've been looking for a video like this for a while. I have to tell you this is one of the best "# tips for..." videos I've ever seen. You have a new fan in me. Liked and subscribed. Thanks :)

Great advice .... thanks Tommy

Amazing, thanks

LOVED it, please keep sharing knowledge and inspiring me, keep doing your videos, they mean a lot for me

amazing video! thanks 💗

Thank you 🥰

Amazing video!! Thanks, it's exactly what I was looking for =) I've never done portraits, I'm not a professional photographer, but I'm taking my friend's maternity photos (those with the big belly!) because she doesn't have to budget to hire someone. This is exactly the types of tips I needed, I hope I can put them into practice. (and the video is so relaxed as well, that it does give me more confidence - I guess that will help as well)

Great video and great tips, thanks for sharing. Having them pick the music is solid.

I've been looking for this video for a while now! Thank you so much for delving into the personal relations aspect of photography!! As you said, it is so important. I have felt this for a while, but I couldn't seem to find videos on the subject.. I have a feeling this will greatly improve my photography. If you think of any more tips, or have more extended thoughts on the subject, I would love to hear them! There also may be a niche available for talking about it, and you seem to be well suited to that. Thanks again!

I need that reflector holder

Great video & some much more for me to work on it seems. The one thing I really struggle with is talking to people once I get a camera in my hands don't ask me why it just seems to happen.

Super helpful! Currently binge watching all your videos and I am learning a lot =) Thank you for sharing!

Great tips Tommy, especially the last tip. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome!

Great video, wouldnt of even thought of the photobooth technique love it!

Brilliant as ever. Funny, I’m booked on a one day tutored session with models and I was wondering how you interact with them. This answers everything 👍🏻

you are awesome and ur style makes look hard stuff simple so kudos to you my friend....

This is the best video on this topic! Thanks for sharing.

The best informational video I have watched on communicating with photography clients! #thanks

Awesome videos! Looking forward to more!

just getting into photography, and this is really such a helpful video! Thanks man!

Awesome Video Tommy Great Tips... I'll be using them this week!

Tommy you are my mentor now. Thank you, really thank you for all

Your photography and videos are just fantastic. Keep up the good work! 👍🏻

Love this, gonna try the photo booth today!

Great idea with the "music"! Thanks.

I’ve watched this at least twice. Thank you for the great tips!

Very inspiring...

This should have so many more views!! Subscribed!

Very informative 😍👌

You could use an HDMI Television to tether. They are generally cheaper now in price or a computer monitor instead of having to use a laptop or desktop

Brilliant tips 🙌

very nice!!

This video was sooooo helpful mate. Loved the tips you gave, eventhough you called me out on tip #3 lol. Luckily I'm watching this as a beginner, they will help me avoid it haha. Cheers

Thank you so much for this advice. This is information I've never heard before. I need to incorporate this into my work immediately. Good looking out. Phelix. 👍🏾🎥📷

Amazing! You're very inspiring!

really good tips , thanks !!!

Very informative and nice little tips. Subscribed!

Love Love Love these tips! Thank you!!

Keep it up man 👍🏼

Great video

awesome tips!! love these behind the scenes

Thanks for the tips

Those are really great tips, thanks!

Love it! Great video my Man! Very engaging and approachable! Love to check out your work somewhere... Where might that be?

These were solid tips and so helpful!

Brilliant - this helped me so much, thankyou!

One word: BRILLANTE!!!

AWESOME TIPS.

Brilliant... thank you!

Great tips man! Thanks!

thank you bro your lesson have many effect for me thank you !!!

Brilliant Video, loads of info - question could you do us a quick video on how and where to get models (UK) as there are lots of places ie, Purpleport. Model Mayhem and how you make that initial contact maybe ? - Great tips :) and thanks

Love it Tommy!

Useful as always ☺️ thaaanks

Great video brother!