pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

is it me? am i doin' something wrong in my approach or what? i've been trying to get this one couple to allow me to photograph them off & on for nearly 4 yrs. FOR FREE!! i'm not tryin' to charge these people. i just love to take pictures. nobody seems interested or if they do agree, it's grudgingly & they're hurrying you to the point where your creativity & posing are out the window. what am i doing wrong??

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

theres this group of young guys who have a band near where i live & i approached the "leader" saYING I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHOOT THE PROMO SHOTS for any fliers they'd want to use to get gigs & he said they'd talk it over. that was months ago & i checked back w/ him & still nothing. i'm at a loss. i don't understand.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

Alot of people have low self esteem, dont think they look atractive or are just uncomfortable around cameras. If you have shots of other couples you have taken I would show it to them. This would probably gain there trust that they wont look bad if you shoot them. A lot of peoples only expierence with being photographed other than their senior portrait is from porly done snapshots.

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

thank you , sinatraman. good suggestion. i'll try that.

Lavolpebxr Loc: Cleveland, OH

You might try running an ad in your local paper, offering a free photo sitting. Tell the people that if theyre selected for the sitting, they can have their proofs for free. Just a suggestion.

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

good idea, thank you Lavolpebxr

wmralls Loc: Kansas City

Not just you. I see the same thing. I usually like to shoot characters in public settings, asking permission if practical but if not, just taking the shot anyway.

Some people will get irate at having their pic taken and given what we have seen end up on the internet in a non-flattering way, I do not blame them.

My approach is to just tell them I am a hobbyist and I think their face is very interesting and could I take a shot. Sometimes I "ask" after the shot is taken and that leads to more and better shots. I also offer to send them a copy to their e-mail but people have gotten much more wary of giving out an email address.

Frequent an area to get your face out there as a recognizable non-threat. Get to know the people in the area or get a good telephoto lens.

Play to the ego. We all have one and it is in control. NEVER offer money or make stupid promises or commitments - first it is not necessary, second it is dishonest and most people will smell a rat, and finally it is just not necessary. Be honest and open and that does open doors. .. and don't forget to smile. A frown (without realizing it) can readily kill the deal. Remember, if you are not smiling, you are frowning... there is no such thing as a neutral countenance.

notnoBuddha

Something I have thought of trying - but as yet that is as far as it's gone is any pictures I have taken either with or without prior permission is to have a photosharing site where I would put their pictures with a code so only they could view the pictures that way they would not have to give out their address, could print if they wish at their expense and after 10 days or so delete the pictures. I would have a business card that I would write the number on, and maybe some day even start charging. One place where I think this might work real well is a dog park - most people love to have pictures of their pets and I'll bet you might be even be able to sneak in a few of their humans.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

if people are out in public I don't ask I shoot before they notice. There is no expactation of privacy in public places. I dont due much people shooting unless they are wearing a coustume, funny hatt or tshirt or doing something outrageous. If they are doing anything to attract the attention off others, their fair game.

ked Loc: California

I think it could be the internet I find lots of people feel you may post their photos on the internet without them agreeing to it so maybe if you can write up somekind of agreement say you will not post a photo of them without them agreeing to it maybe that will help I know it did for me and maybe once they see how good you are they will tell their friends

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

I have been having this same problem and I think I know a couple of reasons why.
1. "I am ugly and therefore no picture of me will be good looking."
2. " I am afraid that you will take my head and put it on a nude or porno and post it on the web.
These arre real issues that I have encountered and I don't know exactly how to overcome them

laine Loc: Jacksonville, FL

I sometimes tell people I am a student in a photography class ( which I am not) and have been given a specific assignment and could I include them or their dog in my homework. ( I am 61 years old, so us older people get away with fibbing sometimes). I never photograph children, unless I know the parents.

pena2597 Loc: TEXAS

WOW, I know Im a little late to this thread, but I feel very relieved that Im not the only one experiencing this..Even among familiar people. So my solution is to take a few pics (good ones of course) and to print 4x6's. Then give them to the person, kind of like a sample of your work. And with basic prints being so inexpensive, it doesnt hurt the pocket. I plan on doing that at my sons soccer game. Hopefully Ill get some prospects that way.

annemarie Loc: N.W. NJ

Go to a dance studio. They LOVE to pose. I know first hand!

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

maybe those people are on the most wanted list....