Making your subjects feel comfortable

[MelanieIvy]

Does anyone have any tips on how to make your subjects feel comfortable and setting a light mood for photo shoots? I'm still new to this so I always feel a bit nervous, but I noticed that the photos near the end of the shoot always seem to come out best because we have all reached our comfort zone.

[CaptainTom]

Your experience is fairly normal.
What I do is be humorous and casual. If you exude confidence and ability your client should start to warm up to you if you are a little light hearted and not stuffy and stodgy. Some clients will never warm up to you. Don't be discouraged.
I have a routine that I go through with portrait sitters. I try to find out what they think is funny, and stay away from things they don't like. Generally being friendly and at ease goes a long way to make them the same.

[Citex]

Talk to them and be a goof ball, for models if they have a myspace or profile like allot of them do, I read them. People love when you take a non creepy/stalker (lol) type of interest in them, I get a good response most every time doing this.

[johnastovall]

Three double Martinis?

[Nikolai]

Lots and lots of communication.