Working with models is hard; if you don’t know each other well, especially if you are working with an amateur model. It is hard for model because an amateur model can be shy or may be nervous to pose. Also it is hard for photographer; you don’t know the right angles for the model and you have to spare time for examining her/his best sides. Furthermore you can be affected by his/her nervousness. Here is what I’m doing;

• Meet the model 1 hour before you start shooting; buy him/her a drink and chat for a while that makes the model feel comfortable. Tell him/her about what are you planning to do and what kind of poses you want from him/her. Make small jokes! In the meantime keep examining you model to determine the strongest point that you want to focus on. (eyes, lips, etc.)
• When you go to the location that you will take pictures, let the model take has his/her time for getting used to the environment. (not so long; waiting too long also can make the model nervous. You can play music related with you concept (fast, slow, angry, cheerful) to help changing model’s mood.
• Being natural is important; if you have a sad , sorrowful concept make your model feel the pain, even if he/she is not sad at the moment he/she has to look like he/she is sad. Your model shouldn’t look like he/she is pretending, you have to show the viewers it is real.
• Just before starting; so far you have done the preparations try some poses without taking pictures with your model that way your model will have an idea when you say him /her how to look, how to stand. Let her/him know that you are doing your job just like a doctor and there’s nothing to be shy about, and send everybody away (if there are people with you) , if it makes your model more comfortable.
• Start shooting; when you are taking pictures, focus on the points that you want to emphasize in your picture.( Crying eyes, happy smile etc.) Try different angles.
• Sometimes let your model use his/her creativity; let him/her decide how to pose, outcome may be fascinating. (As i said sometimes… not always)
• The rest is up to you and your photography skills!
• If the results are successful go out and celebrate