Not everybody likes having their photograph taken. As a photographer, you have probably met lots of people like this, and it just serves to make your life that little bit more difficult. Here are some tips for working with someone who isn’t especially confident in front of the camera:

• Put them at ease. Talk to them all the time and give them praise and encouragement during the shoot. Spend some time explaining everything beforehand so they know what to expect.
• Give them plenty of direction. Sometimes, people don’t like having their photo taken because they feel awkward. Tell them what to do and make sure they aren’t left to feel uncomfortable.
• Ask them if they are ok. Check they aren’t feeling too worried – photography can be a seriously uncomfortable process for self-conscious people.
• Show them the photos. Choose some really good shots to show them throughout the shoot to give them encouragement.