My Biggest Challenge

In every photoshoot my biggest challenge is to convince the model to open her soul to me. Asking to reveal her inner spirit for a brief photoshoot is a tall order. I want my model to trust me, to find her confidence, and to relax – all within the first half hour of our session. Essentially, I’m asking that she opens her heart to a stranger. Some models know exactly what I mean. Others have no idea what I’m asking. From their vantage point they say, “I’m here. What more do you want from me?” They don’t see my dilemma. It’s like trying to explain colors a blind person.

A model’s physical presence fulfills the first requirement of a good photoshoot. The second checkbox is in me fulfilling responsibilities in staging, atmosphere, lighting, composition, creativity, etc. But the most critical component which easily deserves three checkboxes, is a model’s emotional investment in the experience. A good photographer needs to ‘feel’ the model, and react in sync, to get the best out of her.

An emotional connection requires empathy on both sides.

An emotional connection requires empathy on both sides. When a photographer has empathy, they’re able to ‘connect’ with the model on a higher level. If I succeed in pulling the model’s emotions into the camera, then I have a brief opportunity to capture it. I need to “feel” her emotions for that to work. Without empathy, this emotional layer can’t be harnessed. Without empathy, this layer is invisible. Likewise, if the model doesn’t have empathy, she’ll lack the intuition to share in a genuinely spiritual connection.  By staying within the confines of her protective walls she’ll rely solely on her physical presence, expecting that to be sufficient.

I firmly believe that the best fine arts photographers in the world succeed in capturing the essence of their models through an authentic emotional connection.