How to get your teens to love a photo shoot.
Photographers love to capture teens on camera because teenage years are a special transitional period. This is when teens, who are on the verge of adulthood, learn and figure out who they will become in life.
Once in a while though, during family photoshoot with teenagers, I encounter teenagers or tweens who do not display much enthusiasm for their family portrait photo shoot. Some may be super shy, or just feel plain uncomfortable with the unusual amount of attention placed on them. Some may have been forced by Mom to attend the shoot and would rather be doing a million other things than to spend a few hours being told what to do and wear in front of the camera.
So as a relative or parent who had spent considerable effort and sweat to book, plan and co-ordinate a photo shoot for the entire family, how would you go about getting people within this age group more excited and invested in the shoot? Read on for some of my tried and tested tips!
#1 Don’t force a smile
Some teens may come across aloof and sulky during the shoot. They might actually be mad at getting their picture taken or just simply don’t like to smile.
Continuous reminders and request for them to “smile” will usually make things worse and you may end up with fake or forced smiles that don’t really reflect how they are in real life.
Instead, establish rapport and a level of trust with them pre-shoot. Try asking them straight up what kind of shots they might like, and assure them that you will not make them pose for shots which will make them uncomfortable. They may open up and tell you what they really want or think, so your photographer can plan quickly and move past any shots they might not be really into, and focus on those that they actually like to solicit those genuine, precious smiles.
#2 Spend some time to let the teens know the studio and photographer.
They might avoid eye contact during the shoot and act uncomfortable when the photographer talks to them. Pay attention to their non-verbal cues and body language to glean how they actually feel.
Introduce the studio and photographer to the teen and let him or her explore around the studio for a bit before the shoot. You never know – they might find a corner or angle that would make for a great shot for them! The shoot will go much smoother once they feel more comfortable with their surroundings and can better relate to the photographer.
#3 Focus on their passion or hobbies
Teenagers and tweens often have their own hobbies which adults may or may not understand. Have a chat with the photographer to incorporate some solo shots of the teen doing something he or she loves, and you may see that genuine spark of gratitude and enthusiasm.
Before the shoot, encourage your teenagers to bring things that are important to them to the shoot. You may be surprised at the amazing pictures that can be produced – her with her favorite musical instrument, or him in his favorite sports attire.
Once they know they can really showcase what they like, this is when they will really open up and let their passion show.
#4 Plan a nice surprise!
The expectations of most teens during a shoot revolve around being told to smile and look at the camera. Perhaps doing the unexpected may help open them up. With the photographer, plan some different poses and actions that your teen will not see coming.
Something crazy like jumping up high, climbing some furniture, impromptu dancing or even starting a tickle battle could generate some excitement and ease any building tension during the shoot, thus generating more genuine smiles.
Spontaneity is your friend here and be assured your photographer is ready to capture the good shots that naturally occur.
p/s just make sure teen will be comfortable with any big prank or joke you are planning.
#5 Be real (don’t be fake) with teenagers
There is no need to use “hip slang” or try to “come down to their level” to get teens to loosen up in front of the camera. At best you will get a weird look from them, wondering if you are feeling fine. At worse, they give you their signature eye-roll and proceed to pointedly ignore you.
Instead, try bringing up happy or funny stories to get them to feel as relaxed as possible.
You are also not going to get teenagers to wear anything but the clothing they want to wear. Keep the formal attire or outfit at a minimum if they are really necessary, and focus on them in their most comfortable clothing and setting.
#6 Make the Family photoshoot experience unique
The teenage years often express individual styles that reflect a teen’s changing personality. As such teens tend to warm up to unique, memorable experiences. If you manage to turn your photo shoot into one such moment, you will get better shots and more natural smiles.
Orchestrate some “cool” shots for your teens, which may not even require them to smile. Special, memorable profile shots with classy poses which they cannot achieve on their own phones could get them to work harder for a great shot
Timing the shoot around their birthdays or other special dates, you could invite some of their friends to have a group shot at the tail end of the shoot to make the session really unforgettable.
To conclude..
Amidst your efforts in corralling your family through shot after shot, be sensitive to your teens’ comfort level and physical cues, and do not force them to do something they are not into. Family photoshoot with teenagers might be a wee bit tricky. Treat them like adults, and effective communication is key to share your ideas and hopes for the shoot across to them. Be genuine and you will earn their respect and co-operation.
