One of the most difficult parts of doing portrait photography is that I’m not really a “people person.” I love people, but I find it difficult talking with people that I don’t know. If you’re not a people person either then you know that awkward moment that I’m talking about when you say “hi” and then think now what? I have about 200 of those situations a day!
What makes it tough is that I feel like people know. They know I’m new at this. They know I’m nervous. They know I think that I suck. But I learned a trick to deal with this. Just act. I just act like I’m really friendly and I can’t wait to take their picture. I act like I’ve been doing this forever. I act like I’m not nervous.
Pretty soon, the act became a reality. I love meeting people for the first time now. I can’t wait for the students to start pouring into the gym at crazy early hours in the morning. I greet them like they’re old friends. Actually, some of them are the kids of my old friends!
One of the first lessons I learned as a Picture Day photographer is to forget about your self esteem problems. The first step to being a good photographer when you’re not really a photographer is to throw your self-consciousness to the wind, and have some fun with it.
I’ve worked with my boss a couple times (he’s a real photographer). Working with the little kids was so embarrassing. It was great watching him. Professional. Perfectionist. Real photographer. Great with little kids! He was tossing around stuffed animals, talking in funny voices and making the kids laugh. It was great. But it was my turn next. “That’s how you do it Mat.”
Oh boy. Deep breath.
