The Round Blog

Let them lower their defences

While photographing people, we have realised that there is one big obstacle between them and a good photo: their defences. Being in front of a camera is a little bit intimidating, even without the camera between the photographer and his or her subjects. Being in front of the camera means feeling exposed and this, despite may appeal to some people, in the great majority of the cases, creates a sort of veil that block a photo from standing out. That veil can be read in the eyes, in the position of the body and in many small details. Many times you do not realise they are there, but deep down you can see that the photo does not speak for itself. If you really want to capture something without that veil you need to be a psychologist, before being a photographer. You need to understand the people in front of you, challenge them in what brings the sparkle in their eyes. You have to lower their barriers, their defences. Good models are able to work on this almost on their own, they know that their role is to look great in the photographers' visions, but many times it is not that simple, not that immediate. We have been lucky enough to work with some truly remarkable models who were able to be themselves 100% after just few clicks, but not all the times this happens, so what can you do? Listen to the models, let them speak about the things they love, let them bring their heart in the conversation. Do they love watching television, reading physics, shopping? Whatever it is, the photographer must try to get the most out of the models just listening and trying to underline what's great in the model's vision. I have to admit that a year ago I did not care about shoes, I honestly did not know a lot about them. At the time they were just tools to walk. Yes, indeed I had my preferences, but they were just things like: "I like this, I don't like those". I worked on it, hard. Now I know that shoes and bags are amongst the most important things in an editorial shoot and I like to get something more from the models about them. I have starting to LOVE Louboutin shoes, with their red sole. Yes, shoes are one of the "ice breaker" everyone can use to lower the barriers. Nowadays the initial meeting with a model, the moment they come into the door, that is the moment where I start working, trying to understand them, to get what they like, what they want, what they love; I do not do it because I am nosy or because I am interested in understanding their life: I do it because I like to have a nice chat about their preferences and because this lowers their barriers. Directing a model when the defences are low is not only easier, but much more fun. If you demonstrate the models you are easy going, you know what you are doing and you are easy to talk, then they will trust you more and more, and it will show in the photos. The work as a photographers working with models is not just "snapping away", but it is much much more, it is a world you need to dig into. The Team Photographers: Carlo and Fabiana Nicora Make Up Artist: Naila "GlamFace" Hair Stylist: Hanson Chen Models: Gina Jones, Stephen Akinlusi