This essential trick made my black and white portrait photography pop

Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the complexities of a task while neglecting the simple things.

written by: Justin Williams

Model Ig: @simplyshauniece

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Getting that perfect shot, that reoccurring image in your head that you need to manifest is always the goal as a photographer. The process of obtaining the gold of a crisp high resolution, well composed picture is really a psychological art in itself. Especially when the one must simultaneously manage not only your equipment, space, and lighting, but also the feelings of models as well.

Let's all be honest here. Photography is inherently creepy. Think about it from the models perspective for a second. There's a guy( or girl) literally staring at every detail of your face for extended periods of time, while you self consciously stand there and abide by subjective beauty standards.

Note that models are people, but also, the most important people in the creative process. Without the model, as portrait photographers we would have landscapes. No shade.

Here's the trick to make your model your working with more comfortable and relaxed in order to get that shot just right. The one that you just know will end up on the cover of your favorite magazine. Or in the email of a client you've been seeking to work with for far too long.

Enough of the anticipation, ill now tell you a trick that I've used for years to get my models to feel comfortable just being themselves during the shoot, regardless of the scenery. Are you ready?Just breath. Slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth while shooting. Shoot for 10 seconds inhaling and 10 seconds exhaling. I've found that if I am more relaxed and comfortable, the model is also relaxed and more comfortable.

T. Harv Eker said it best. "Energy is contagious, either you effect the people, or they infect you."

It takes time and practice to get this trick just right. But with consistency, you will feel be able to focus more on you breathing. And less on the dynamic of the social outcomes produced through interactions with model during a shoot. Just relax and be you and 9/10 your models will reciprocate your relaxed tone and body language regulated through slow deep breathing paced by your shots.

I hope you enjoyed this nice trick I picked up along my photography journey.

If you would like more tips and tricks you can use to expand your practical photography skills, I encourage you to enroll in the photography course here at Taino Studios and join me for a fun and immersive experience in mastering the art of street, fashion, an wedding photography.