jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Goofy behavior is my specialty. It comes naturally. Last night I was working on a very anti posing type of guy. His wife is no problem, but ole Ted is just unbending in all respects. I got a few good looks, but man is he good practice. At one point I pulled out a Peter Hurley comment. I told Ted "OK, just go ahead and look pissed off". That brought a natural smile when he thought about it and I snapped quickly.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

If I know I have someone like that, I will kill them with "friendly" sarcasm. It seems to be the only thing that works. Your "Peter Hurley" quote is a perfect example. You don't need to be mean, but you can be honest. "if you want to look angry in your photos, that's fine with me, but what will Mrs. Client say when she sees them? No nookie tonight!

Probably not very professional, but effective.

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

What great tips! Posing is really my weakest area, A lot of times I lose expressions when I try to pose, and if I get the expressions, the poses suffer.... and I hate it when people don't look their best.
Ed, I learned real quick with heavy set people to get the weight on that rear leg, & to put a bend in the forward leg-or it tends to look really huge! Thanks for the explanation.
I've always started at the shoulders, then head...Starting at the feet makes so much more sense.
Bkyser... Thanks for sharing the marketing tips, I'm needing ideas to branch out, weddings are few and far between right now. The area I moved to is rural, fairly low population & low income. My town has 600 people- but I'm within a couple hours of a couple larger towns.
The story of the 14 yr old was awesome! Great job!
My last difficult guy-I finally gave up & said.. 'ok, then just look down at her - bring your nose in real close-Now Sniff her Eyebrow!'
He snapped up-smiled and laughed, they both looked at each other and couldn't quit giggling... Got some good pics.

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

... Don't have any marketing tips that are tried and true, but have been thinking of maybe setting up a booth at a local farmers market, Maybe give away some popcorn to draw people in and gander at the pics. Or maybe have an area set up to do pics on the spot? or both?
Not sure how well portraits or wedding appts would do, So thinking maybe have some pics of local landmarks for sale, a few sizes, a few framed?
Just a thought.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

You could be surprised. I did a photobooth for Relay for Life, and got several senior photos out of it. As well as a couple weddings that never materialized, and pet photography that I turned down. (for a lady who ended up arrested later for pet hoarding...made the news)

At least I did fairly well getting some senior portraits out of it, and that was my main thing. All the schools in the area were participating in Relay for Life, so I set up a booth and made it fun for the school kids, and gave out cards.

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

Thanks bkyser! Thats really encouraging.
I found they(town a couple hours from me) are having a large 'Raft race' down the river, with ajoining festival during the day & extending into the night. I might try to do something there. Bought a cheap 10x10 pop up on sale...boy was it cheap. Took it back the next day.
Thanks again!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

The way I look at things like this are, if you make it fun, it was worth the time. Also, if you are having fun, people will naturally gravitate to you, and you will get to talk to more people, and give out more cards.

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

Thanks, that's a good attitude to have. Come to think of it...that's the people I gravitate towards :)