How to Create a Comfortable Atmosphere During Portrait Sessions

One of the secrets to a successful portrait shoot isn’t discussed nearly enough: the vibes of the session can drastically impact the final results. A client's comfort level often reflects in their poses and expressions. If they feel uneasy or out of place, it may show in the photos. Conversely, when a client is relaxed and enjoying the process, their confidence and authenticity shine through, no matter the theme or mood of the shoot.

In this article, we’ll explore how to create a welcoming environment, build rapport with your client, and avoid common pitfalls. With these tips, you’ll be able to capture stunning, natural portraits while making the experience enjoyable for everyone involved. Let’s get started!

Pre-Shoot Preparation and Communication

It all starts with preparation. Careful planning needs to go into every aspect of your shoot to increase the chance of its success. Lighting, outfits, and location, all of these need careful consideration, and this information should be relayed to your client so they can arrive well-prepared.

Communication is Key

Communication is crucial for every part of the shoot. Before the session begins, share the plans and details with your client so they can understand the themes and mood of the shoot. This allows them to research and practice poses ahead of time, leading to a stronger performance. If this is their first time in front of the camera, this can help ease any nervousness as they may not have the experience to improvise on the spot.

Details such as wardrobe, the estimated duration of the shoot, locations, and the involvement of other personnel should all be communicated clearly. For instance, will you be providing hair and makeup? Are you supplying the wardrobe? Make sure the client knows exactly what they need to prepare well in advance.

Pre-Shoot Call

If possible, schedule a quick call with the client to discuss the shoot instead of relying solely on messaging. Texts can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, whereas a call allows for clearer communication. More importantly, it helps build rapport. A call lets you get a better sense of the client’s personality and allows both of you to discuss finer details in a more natural way. It also gives you a chance to discuss the client’s experience and confidence levels in front of the camera. When you meet for the first time on shoot day, the familiarity from the call can make things feel much more comfortable.

Share Your Process

During the call, you can also explain your workflow and style to the client. Whether you’re aiming for candid and relaxed shots or polished editorial poses, give them a clear understanding of your goals for the shoot. Let them know ahead of time about the intensity of the day. For example, is it a tightly scheduled shoot, or will it be more laid-back? Providing this information helps the client know exactly what to expect and allows them to come prepared.

The Benefits of Clear Communication

Communication is a powerful tool. It enables better preparation, allowing the client to bring their best selves to the shoot, whether through practiced poses, suitable wardrobe, or the right hair and makeup. These early interactions also help establish rapport, so the first meeting on the day feels more relaxed. Remember the old adage: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” It’s never truer than in portrait photography.

Setting the Mood

Shoot day can be extremely exciting, which often leads to the temptation of rushing into the session as soon as the client arrives. However, this can be a mistake that negatively impacts your shoot. 

It’s important to take the time to relax your client and properly welcome them to the shoot, the location, and any other members of your team. Otherwise, rushing them straight in front of the camera may leave them looking tired or not at their best. 

Clients need time to warm up and get into the right frame of mind to perform confidently in front of the camera. Let’s look at some ways you can help them settle in.

Getting Them Relaxed

When they first arrive, offer drinks or refreshments to help boost their energy levels after travelling to the location, especially if the client hasn’t done this kind of thing before or they have travelled far. 

Allow them to relax and start building rapport at this stage. If it’s not immediately necessary, try to avoid diving into work talk. A nice, friendly chat can help them feel more settled and comfortable.

Run Through the Shoot

Once they start to feel more at ease, you can gently transition into work mode. Discuss the shoot and go over any finer details you might not have covered during your earlier communications. This gives you another opportunity to ensure everyone is aligned, increasing the likelihood of a successful session.

Introduce Them to the Set and Team Members

To help them feel more familiar with their surroundings, show them around the set or location where the shoot will take place. Introduce them to any team members they’ll be working with, such as hair and makeup artists, assistants, or stylists.

Now that your client has had time to settle in and get comfortable, it’s time to get to work. Let’s move on to the next stage!

During the Shoot

There are numerous things you can do during the shoot to continue building comfortable vibes. Here are some great tips that can increase your chances of having a successful session.

Warming Up

Have you noticed that, at times, the first few photos of a shoot aren’t quite up to the standard of your later shots? Sometimes, both you and the client need to get a few warm-up shots out of the way before hitting your stride. They might need time to get rid of any nervous energy which can make them appear tense in front of the camera.

Constant Feedback

Providing constant feedback during the shoot helps the client understand how they’re doing. Don’t feel awkward about pointing out areas where they can improve, but make sure to deliver your suggestions in a constructive and encouraging way. 

At the same time, praise them for what they’re doing well. This balanced approach ensures they’ll be more receptive to constructive criticism without feeling discouraged.

Clear Instructions

When giving instructions, make sure they’re clear and straightforward to avoid confusion. Miscommunication can ruin the mood and lead to frustration. If needed, physically demonstrate the pose or action you’re requesting, something that can help beginners immensely. This not only helps eliminate confusion but also fosters collaboration between you and the client.

Breaks

Breaks are crucial for both you and the client. Taking short breaks during the shoot helps alleviate fatigue, especially for those in front of the camera, as tiredness can start to show on their face and affect their performance. 

Check-in with your client periodically and ask if they need a quick pause to recharge. This will also benefit you, giving you a moment to reassess your shots and adjust as needed. If time is tight, communicate this to them beforehand so they’re prepared for a more fast-paced session with fewer breaks.

Show Photos

One of the best ways to create good vibes during the shoot is to show the client some of the photos you’ve taken. You can briefly explain that there is still post-processing to be done. Showing them the shots during the session has several benefits:

• Builds trust: It shows that you value their input and view the shoot as a collaboration.

• Performance insight: The client can see what’s working such as poses or expressions and make adjustments as needed.

• Mini breaks: Reviewing photos gives both of you a short pause to relax, discuss the work so far, and reset for the next round of shots.

The key to creating good vibes during a shoot is ensuring that your client feels comfortable and sees the session as a collaborative effort. Provide clear and precise instructions, offer balanced feedback, and keep communication open throughout. Positive feedback is especially important, as it helps them stay motivated and receptive to suggestions for improvement. Regular breaks and photo reviews can also maintain energy levels and foster a relaxed, productive atmosphere.

Post-Shoot Vibes

Once the shoot is done, don’t miss out on opportunities to continue building a good relationship with the client. You may work with them again in the future, and with each shoot, your rapport can grow stronger. Here’s how to ensure they will be eager to book you again after wrapping up.

Follow Up

At the end of the day, or the following day, send a quick message to thank the client for their time and offer a few words of praise. Something simple like, “Hey, thanks for coming out today, it was a pleasure to work with you!” can go a long way. This keeps the door open for future collaborations and leaves a positive impression.

Send Photos

Depending on the type of shoot, send photos in a timely manner with the client so they can use them on their social media while the good memories are still fresh in their mind. If you’ve built up a good rapport with them, they should have no issue with tagging you on their posts to help you gain exposure and gain similar business with other potential clients in the future.

Keep Updated

If you ever have any offers or potential opening slots in the future the client may be interested in rebooking you, depending on the nature of the shoots you are doing. Be sure not to bombard your client with these offers every time they come up as this can become annoying. One thing you can consider doing is creating a mailing list and inviting them to join. 

You never know when your client may be looking to take part in similar shoots again in the future, and leaving a lasting impression on them can help you get rebooked. A thoughtful follow-up ensures the client will be enthusiastic about collaborating with you in the future.

The Bottom Line

The vibes of a shoot play a crucial role in its success. A key way to build a positive atmosphere is by taking care of the client you’re working with and following the necessary steps to foster a solid relationship that leads to outstanding results.

Start by communicating effectively about the themes of the shoot and what’s expected of the client. Even before the camera starts clicking, you have every opportunity to build rapport and set the foundation for a successful collaboration. During the shoot, provide constructive and positive feedback, clearly demonstrate your vision, and remember that your client is human. Breaks are essential to keep energy and performance at their best. Once the session wraps up, follow up with a thank-you message and keep them updated on the shoot’s progress, which is a small gesture that can leave a lasting impression.

A happy and comfortable client is a confident, engaged client, making them a joy to collaborate with. Together, you can create incredible photographs that reflect the effort and care you put into the process. So always prioritise creating comfortable vibes, you’ll see the benefits in every frame.