Approaching subjects?

[keen99]

Hi all,
I'm a beginner. I love great portraiture photography. When I see interesting faces and looks with a lot of personalities, I have a desire to capture them. But my question is how do u approach people? How do you ask a stranger to pose for your camera without appearing creepy or stalky? And I'm in my 20s, so I dont exactly give out the impression that I am a professional lol. "Hey I like ur look, can i take a picture of u" doesnt exactly sound like a good line . Have any of you had experiences with this? I would really appreciate all your advice. Thank you.

Jeffrey

[kula23]

LOL I have asked a guy "I am in college that I need model for my project, would you be interesting?" This guy said "hell yea.....can I nude?" I was like "Umm maybe not." Ha. Not that I don't mind but it was just out of blue.

[jonnydonut]

I've actually had good results with this before, and people who were not interested.

Shoot your friends or family first, even people from model mayhem, have a portfolio before you approach a stranger. A business card even, and a website, even if you just buy a site and forward it to a myspace or flickr.

If you have a card, and a portfolio, even if it's not amazing, they can see that you really are a photographer and not just interested in them. You're giving them your information (via a card), and letting them make contact back. This way it doesn't look like you're trying to get their digits. Don't talk a lot, be brief, and make sure they know you're shooting for free, because of them, and that you're not trying to sell them something. Make sure you're confident when you do so, and you might even specify "clothed", or mention something about their outfit that day.

if it's an acquaintance, still use the same approach.

[Corrie]

"accidentally" drop your business card in front of someone.

[kula23]

LOL I love that idea, Corrie!

[humminboid]

That has got to be one of the toughest things to do. Sometimes a candid is all you may get.

Don't be furtive, or obtrusive. ACT like you have every right to do what you are doing.

It's basically a numbers game, though. The more you ask, the more success you will have.

First, be presentable, and next, non-threatening. Of course, Bundy and Gacy were personable and presentable, too, and fortunately, today people are more aware of creepos and are wary of anything out of the ordinary.

But, there is still the thing I call "the expectation of success". Approach the subject in a non-threatening manner, big smile, and ACT as if you expect to be granted the favor you are about to ask. I used that approach for years, in an adversarial business, and had about 90% success rate.

A card may help. Be direct: "May I take your photo?", or... Hey, give us a smile!" works wonders.

If they say no, there is the thing that coach Vince Lombardi called "the second effort". Like saying "Are you sure?", or "I am SO disappointed!" or something light.

If they say no, smile and go away. If you persist, you may rightly have a close encounter with the city's finest, or a big, ugly boyfriend.

Good luck.

[keen99]

Thanks all for your advice!

LoL @ Kula, that guy sure was confident!

LoL @ Corrie, I should accidently drop my car key too haha...jk.

Thanks Jonny. I know having a business card, website, and portfolio definatly helps a lot. I just havent had time to do any of those. Work's been keeping me busy. I'm still new with SLR, I think I'll definatly build a site once I have built a solid collection of photos and maybe even business cards if this hobby of mine can really starting to turn into something.
P.S. great website jdonut.com, design is simple and elegant! Photos are beautiful.

Thanks Humminboid. "confidence", "numbers game", "second effort"? Why does it sound like the dating game? hahaha...seriously though I think you are definately right, confidence is the key! I do not want to act timid or uncertain. Need to act like that I have every right to be there and expect a yes. Be enthusiastic and direct also help.

I think in this case, female definatly has the advantage. I cant think of what guy wouldnt be flattered if a woman asks to take his picture. Even other women would feel more confortable. Well, it's just the way it is I guess. And I think look certainly helps too, not just about being good looking but a friendly look. I hope I look friendly, I think I do.

I will definately try more approaches and let you guys know how it works out. Hopefully I'm not back here telling stories about my black eye or a city fine next time.

[Gabby498]

Think of it as paying the person a compliment. I believe it was Diane Arbus that said (paraphased) "she felt like she was complimenting the person. Telling them that she found the interesting and wanted to take them home with her and look at them forever." Why else would we want to take a photograph of a stranger?

CORRECTION: Sorry, it was Amy Arbus. Here is the quote.

"When I ask to photograph someone, it is because I love the way they look and I think I make that clear. I'm paying them a tremendous compliment. What I'm saying is, I want to take you home with me and look at you for the rest of my life."

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Eventually your desire to get the shot will override any trepidation you may about what it will take to get the shot.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

Eventually your desire to get the shot will override any trepidation you may about what it will take to get the shot.

Absolutely, as long as you mind your manners!

I got the desire quickly after I started working my first newspaper job at age 22 (I looked younger at the time). Admittedly, I had an edge because I was shooting for a purpose, possible publication. A further advantage is that it gave me a reason to talk to the people (before or after I photographed them) to get their names, ages, cities of residence and make sure they were fine with possibly appearing in the paper. When children were involved, I would almost always speak to the nearby parents before taking the photos so they wouldn't be creeped out, which let the kids keep doing their thing. It was also easier to get the names from the parents than the kids themselves, who are rightly told not to talk to strangers.

Having a purpose for your photos could be the key to building your nerve, really. When you ask to photograph someone, tell them what you will use the photo for, even if it is the fact you're an aspiring professional photographer and are building your portfolio. That is less creepy than a simple, "Can I take your photo?" Some street photographers, I imagine, don't ask for permission or even make a connection with their subjects. For me, though, the connection is part of why it's fun.

[Corrie]

"LoL @ Corrie, I should accidently drop my car key too haha...jk."

Ha! I am talking about getting clients, not a date lol.

[jspekbb6]

I'm not a professional by any means, but I am a aspiring one! :D . What I have done when going through the mall, or other public place and I see a person I would like to shoot. I follow them until they leave, get thier license plate number... call my buddy at the dmv, find out who it's registered to, look them up on myspace... and than add them and ask if they would be interested in doing a free shoot sometime.... AND bam! done deal.




but in the real world I just approach them. Introduce myself, ask thier name and than tell them my plan... I win some and lose some, but I'd rather win the willing than force the un-willing.

[sldi-rooster]

jspekbb6....you have the makings of a real good stalker!! :)

[Comanche]

What a great question!

I'm kinda like Todd - - I shoot for a newspaper, but in all honesty, the fun part is when I am off by myself.

The best advice has already been given - be nice - be conversational - treat people like they are people and not just the subject of a photo. Take a moment or two to just talk to folks before you stick a camera in their face.

Over the Christmas holidays, my wife and I traveled to Orlando to be with our son and his family. Their neighborhood friends get together every year to collect clothing, then a few days before Christmas, they take the clothes downtown and set up shop on the streets to give the clothes to the homeless. My grandkids see a world very very different from their suburban, iPod-filled world. For me, it was a great time to sit on the curb and just talk to people - then take their photo.



or this gentleman



I travel a lot to Viet Nam - the same approach works there even though I don't speak the language.

In this shot, two old women living in a pagoda because they have no family want to show off their most precious possessions - the dog and the photo.



And the photo leads me to my final thought - give something back.

The photo was given to the old woman by a Vietnamese photographer friend of mine. Working with the nuns, he photographed every elderly resident, made up big prints and had them framed, then presented the prints to the old folks.

You may not have the time nor the money to do that, but you can say goodbye to your subject and tell them what you are going to do with the photo. Most people just want to be seen as someone worthwhile.

Best - and lets see some of your work when you try all this good advice.

[Teddington]

I'm with Doug on this one. The best way is to strike up a conversation. Take a few minutes to get to know them as a person. Not only will it increase your Yes factor, the photos will be more meaningful because you have a backstory. Oh, and make sure you let them take a look at the photo.