I haven’t done many portrait photo shootings but there is one I will never forget.
At the time I had a studio, doing mainly advertising photography but in a small market like the Greek, specialization was a luxury I didn’t had so I was practising almost every kind of photography. Actually I liked it, since I had some interesting variety in my job. Nikos is a well-known Greek violinist working on traditional music. The day he come in, for his portrait, I was assigned by a magazine to illustrate the interview that he gave to them. The magazine was a new customer so I wanted to give the best possible result.
I had my lights all set up so after the introductions Nikos stepped in front of the background and looked at me. I cannot describe how awkward the following minutes were. He couldn’t pose not even remotely natural and I was feeling so bad for not been able to guide him properly. The shooting was evolving into a disaster.
After dozens of useless shots I asked him to play something with his violin. I attached a telephoto lens to my camera and I stepped away, into the shadow. And boom! All the tension and the awkwardness burst out leading to this picture!
I don’t know what you think of it but for me it was a great success. It turned out to be the magazine's cover and Nikos come back for more shootings :)
There is also a bw version in my post.
Love the story behind this, it has happened to me more than once. By the way, was the second shooting less awkward?
Thank you @gabyoraa!
It is true, the connection between the model and the photographer can be a tricky thing. The second shooting was much easier although this shot is by far the best I got with him.