The Photographer
In our last article, we discussed the client’s part in the etiquette of a photo session. In this article, we will discuss some of the photographer’s common photo shoot dos and don’ts.
- · Do be professional in manner, at all times.
- · Don’t speak or behave in a way that would make your model or client upset or uncomfortable around you.
- · Do use discretion when shooting your models or clients.
- · Don’t document a wardrobe malfunction, or inappropriate situations.
- · Do arrive well prepared.
- · Don’t get to the photo shoot or wedding, and then realise you forgot something important.
- · Do communicate clearly.
- · Don’t assume that the client, make-up artist, venue operator, wedding official, or whomever else you might need to consider knows what you need and want from them- do not assume everyone is on the same page.
- · Do be respectful of the rules and guidelines when you are shooting in a location outside your studio.
- · Don’t get yourself or your client in trouble just because you disregarded the rules.
- · Do get to a photo shoot early- if you are going to be late, call your client well in advance and have a good reason. Have a back-up plan (ie- an emergency photographer for a wedding, or another booking date for portraiture).
- · Don’t leave your client wondering where the heck you are.
- · Do be sensitive to personal issues.
- · Don’t disregard the client’s input, and put feuding family members next to each other; if your client is sensitive about their body, work to accommodate those issues.
Proper etiquette in a photography session, whether it is portraiture or wedding photography, goes both ways. It is the duty of a professional photographer to ensure that they show up well prepared and able to accommodate their client as much as possible, in as professional a way as possible. These guidelines will help you ensure that you are giving your client the best experience possible, so that they will give you return business or refer you to their friends and family.