shyness

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Name
Chris
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I've been asked to do some portraits of 2 sisters, both in their early 20's, one is an extrovert who loves the camera but her sister is painfully shy and very self conscious (probably due to being large), any advice on how to make her comfortable and get the best from her?
Will her sister being there help or make her feel more insular?

Thanks
 
Well, dont use a UWA on the large one!

Seriously though, just have a laugh with her, laughter is the best and easiest way to get the defences down!
 
Thanks, I'm good with people and can usually bring them out, but was wondering if it may be best to shoot the two sisters separately to start with, the 'other' one is very slim and pretty so will probably push the other sister into the background (not intentionally), so might do the shy one first and build her up and possibly pay her more intention when doing them together.
 
Can you meet up with the sisters maybe a few days before socially just to break the ice. If possible find out what the shy sister's interests are and talk about them with her, even play her favourite music during the shoot.
 
if she's shy, perhaps let her have a play with your camera and she can take a few shots of you & her sis - see if that breaks the ice.
 
Speak to them about it

get the shy girl to act shy, and sister to do something silly, then ask that in the next photo they copy the sister pose from the shot before :)
 
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When shooting a fuller figured females never shoot head on, always from either size and also try to be slightly above her, that way, if she does have a few chins, this should hide them. Also for her shyness, a glass or 3 of wine might help her relax and if its a specail treat, think about getting a hair & make-up in.
 
Kemble3 said:
When shooting a fuller figured females never shoot head on, always from either size and also try to be slightly above her, that way, if she does have a few chins, this should hide them. Also for her shyness, a glass or 3 of wine might help her relax and if its a specail treat, think about getting a hair & make-up in.

Good advice, thanks
 
I can give a more detailed response now.

First thing to do is to speak to the shy girl, ask her why she feels shy and if either of the girls have any features they feel won't look good. IF she mentions her size, explain to her the tricks of the trade as mentioned above, this will help her put her mind at ease.

Also, suggest to the mother they pay for a make up artist for the session. She can sit them down, do make up and hair. This will make them both feel better about themselves and more confident.

Also, ask the girls to bring some images in from magazines etc that they think they would like to replicate in the photoshoot. This way you know what they both would like to do.
 
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