Photographers...need tips on photographing/directing a shy person?

I have been a photographer for over 10 years and my favorite subject is people. I'm a bit unconventional when it comes to portraits and pretty much stay away from the typical portrait sittings and posings. Anyway, in all this time I still need some tips on directing, especially when it comes to shy people. Most of the time, when someone asks me to do portraits of themselves (I photograph mostly women) they are not shy and I don't even have to direct them much at all. So I just don't have much experience there.

I will be photographing my male cousin ( I don't know him well at all) for his graduation portraits and he is quite shy. We will be outside at a lake. Any tips on getting him to relax and just be comfortable? Also, any tips on poses or direction I can give him?

I have a few tips:
1. Explain what you're doing and why (in terms of posing, lens selection, lighting, your camera angle, or whatever)... this will help your cousin retain a feeling of control and deflect their attention from their own discomfort.

2. Show him the results if you're shooting digitally - if you're getting good results it will improve your sitters confidence to see that you are making them look better than they imagined was possible.

3. Take a lot of images - even if you're shy, there is only so long you're going to remain tense and this technique is known as desensitization... eventually your sitter will relax.

4. Make it fun - try to remove the feeling of seriousness about the whole exercise.

Good luck!

With all your experience, you will put your new subject at ease, knowing that he is being shot by someone with experience.

Music is good (have him bring his favorite CD) and just have fun. I like to shoot a few goofy shots first just to break the ice. High angle shots, super wide angle forced perspective shots, shots using dramatic lighting ... that kind of thing.

My guess is you already know how to direct since you have been shooting women and know when you see a good pose. Just use all your experience to pose your cousin.

Coming from a shy person like myself, I can say that it's very hard to open up. Introverted people don't feel comfortable expressing themselves in front of a camera. It doesn't feel natural.

When I had my senior pictures, the photographer was really good about just taking pictures. It was very direct. He just took the pics. No small talk or anything. When he did talk or ask questions, he took the pictures when I was the most natural and it wasn't forced. He'd also try to joke or say something funny so my smile was natural.

If all else fails, just tell him you understand it's unnerving and chat about things he enjoys and that'll get him relaxed. Also, as the minutes tick by he'll be more comfortable. If it's a digital camera, maybe you an show him how nice the photos look.

I assume you have already met this person as he is your cousin--the other day fhotoace made a really good point about the way he meets the person for lunch or coffee prior (I guess not on the same day) the day of shooting. You two can chat about other things and he might feel more comfortable with your presence.

Not to make a joke out of this but I suppose a longer telephoto will help a bit, too.

Great question.

I'm the shyest person on Earth -- the only photos of me are on my driver's license and passport.

If I had to have a portrait I'd want to do it my way -- you shoot only what I want you to shoot.

Pose me and I'm outta here.

Maybe your cousin isn't THAT shy, but it's a place to start.

HTH
V