talsit asked: Q: If you see someone on the street that you just have to take their photo for whatever reason, how do you approach them? What do you tell them? I find it very hard because I can't backup the "I'm a photographer" claim with anything more substantial than a couple of photos on my site.
How do you do it?
Know first that I answer this with a belly full of challah bread. So it may make no sense.
I don’t really approach strangers, anymore. Did it when I was first really getting into photos, but that has definitely waned.
Now, it’s more than just a pretty face. No shortage of that, in LA. I’m more likely to ask wait staff than a complete stranger, because I get to interact w/wait staff, see more than just their face, see a bit of their personality. That’s what I’m after.
But, you want advice, not me blathering on. AND IT IS ADVICE I SHALL GIVE.
I will defer to my father on this one, master of seduction. If you see someone on the street you want to photograph, just go up to them, play it smooth. “I’m sure you get this all the time, but I’m a photographer, I’d love to take your picture.”
Do it all the time. The “Shotgun Method” my dad calls it. If you ask 20 people, and 19 turn you down, that’s still 1 person you have posing for you.
Work on getting more photos up on your site. Get yourself a business card. It’ll take time, but eventually you’ll have a decent enough body of work, it’ll draw folks in.
Just be honest with people. Tell ‘em what you do, that you were drawn to their face, that the artist in you DEMANDED you ask.
Be confident! And if you don’t feel it, fake it. Fake it ‘til you make it, baby.
