How To Take Great Photos When You're Awkward

The socializing that is required in photography is probably the most nerve-wracking aspect for me. So far, most of the people I have worked with have been friends, easygoing individuals, or professional models. The experience has been great and I am usually in love with the end result, but every time I prep for a session, I become nervous about interacting with my clients. I realize that on the other side of the camera, my models probably feel extremely self-conscious and at the same time, I don't always know what to say to relieve that awkwardness. The mix of expectations from both myself and others can cause quite a frenzy before the photo shoot even starts.

What I have learned is that there is always a "warm-up" phase when shooting a session. When you arrive at the location both the subject and the photographer need to take in the surroundings and may not necessarily have free-flowing conversations and laughs from the start. Some photo shoots can be predominantly silent and awkward the entire time, but I have learned that sometimes I just can't control it.

The second thing that I have learned is that the best photos usually come in spontaneous bursts. Some of my favorite photos happened in the last half to even minutes of the photo shoot. Other photos are true candids of my friends that are unreserved and beautiful. These are the photos that I strive to capture, but the work that it takes to get there can certainly be awkward.