Video Footage from the NPPA Convergence

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Breaking the Ice

Having a moment to let your subject share their stories are important. This helps to put your subject as ease and gives you an opportunity to observe your subject's facial expressions.

Breaking the Ice: Photographer-Subject Relationships

We all have shared an awkward silence with perfect strangers on an elevator. We'd just assume stair at our feet then initiate a conversation. There's some unwritten elevator law that says no eye contact or talking is allowed.

I'm the wacky person, who actually says, "Hey there, how you doin'?"! I suppose it's my outgoing-no holds barred style, that helps break the ice. My husband, Andy Dunaway, thinks I'm crazy. I'm sure the people I engage in conversation think the same thing! LOL!

It's not that I am crazy. I'm just practicing.

I keep my body language relaxed and open, so my subject knows I am open to learning more about him. I also make sure I do not overpower the conversation. I let them talk and make sure that I am actively listening.

Here's the secret, I'm a bit shy. If you've ever met me, you'd probably think I'm pulling you leg. However, it's true. My heart rate races when I'm in a crowd of people, especially strangers. I'm even more uneasy when it comes to one-on-one.

Over time, I learned to control my nervous response to strangers. I decided that I had to take control of my social anxiety in order to take control of my photo shoots. Ritually before every shoot, I gear my mind up for the encounter. I remind myself that I have to give a bit of myself to my subject in order to get any return. This exchange is extremely important to obtain ease during my photo shoots.

Even when I am behind the camera, I am still engaging my subject. I make sure I peep over the camera to make eye contact. Sometimes I will walk over to my subject and adjust their shirt or hair. This physical contact conveys to them that I am there to make them look as best as possible.

Meeting and interacting with people for me is similar to running a race or a marathon. To counter my introverted nature, I expend energy reaching out to touch strangers physically and emotionally. I greet every subject with a firm handshake, direct eye contact and a sincere smile.

For me, there is nothing worse then shaking a limp hand. I associate a soft handshake as an insecurity or lack of confidence. I suppose my prejudice derived from my days in the military.

As for good eye contact, I find this paramount. We do a lot of non-verbal communication through our eyes. So when my subject is talking, I make sure that I engage him or her through continuous eye contact. I don't check my watch, cell phone or stare at my shoes. To me, this translates into boredom and disinterest. I want to make sure that my subjects know how important they are to me.

I find that my subjects will reflect the emotions I am exuding. So if I am smiling, they will smile. If I'm nervous, are nervous. With that said, I try not to get overwhelmed during my shoots. I keep my emotions in check. I try to remember to breath as much as possible. When all else fails - stop and take a deep breath.


I have found that the best way to break the ice is to let my subjects talk. If the initial introduction is stiff and forced, I will try and dig out a topic they may be interested in. For instance, on this shoot my subject loved to fish. I asked him about his boat and his fishing excursions. His eyes went wide and smile flashed across his face. From there, the conversational flood gates opened.

I let him talk and engaged him with other personal questions. However, I have found that the best results come when I just listen. I take note of facial expressions in relation to the conversation topic. I use these key topics to evoke emotional-facial responses from my subjects.

In this case, my subject smiled every time he talked about his years in the Navy. I was sure to prompt a smile by asking questions like, "Where were you stationed in the Navy?" or "What type of ships did you work on?". He would smile and I would get my shot.

Here is my initial ambient exposure test before adding supplemental light.

In most shooting scenarios, I only have a few precious minutes to break the ice and get my portrait. So all of my techniques are used from the moment I book the shoot to the time I get in my car after the assignment is complete.

Here is the frame with a properly exposed background and a supplemental light, which is equivalently exposed. However, the pose is static and boring. So I found a background that was more "telling".

He had a tractor he was remodeling, so I moved him next to that.

Happy subjects equal happy endings. So, bring your camera bag and your smile. Engage your subjects with sincere interest. Listen with keen ears.

Here is another example of establishing an ambient light exposure. In this case, I have actually underexposed the ambient scene. By adding a supplemental light to illuminate my subject, I pull him away from the background.

He looked toward the supplemental light and gave me a bright smile. Priceless.

If you are shy, don't despair. I have learned to engage strangers in a non-aggressive way. By the methods above, I have actually established many friendships for life.

Picture Show Application Fun

Picture Show by Graf

Application for Your i-Phone

On July 12, 2010, Graf created a great photography application, Picture Show. As soon as it arrived on i-Tunes, I had to have it. I started snapping like crazy. It has the capability of adding several types of filters such as LomoGraphy, HolgaGraphy, Vintage, Vanished, Noir, Multi-exposures.... the list goes on. You can pick various frames, add textures and unique lighting effects


I have heard many heated debates about whether Canon or Nikon makes a better image. However, I stress to my students that it's not about the camera. What's most important is the operator behind the system. That's why I love making pictures with my i-phone. I can still make quality pictures, even though I'm only using a 5 megapixel 4G i-Phone camera.


The 4G i-Phone has a built-in flash, which I've been putting to good use. You can see that most of the portraits have detail in the shadows. That's because I'm using the flash. However, I don't let the flash fall straight on the subject's face. I try to use a piece of paper, Kleenex or my shirt to diffuse it. This isn't rocket science, I just prefer to have softer light.


Using my phone's camera has limitations. It doesn't zoom and has a very limited minimal focus distance. However, I love a challenge! Instead of a zoom lens, I use my feet. Yup, can you believe it? My feet work and I can get close to my subject by simply walking toward them! What a concept!


Since my phone pictures are on the fly, I am much more apt to take chances and try new stuff. I get new angles and unique portraits. People are less intimidated by a phone verses a DSLR too.

Also, I'm very conscious of my corners and extraneous distractions in my frame. Of course, I could bring the file into Adobe Photoshop but that defeats the purpose of the phone camera challenge. I can capture moments without my subjects even knowing. I love that.


Now that I'm consciously thinking about all of these things, I've improved my day-to-day paid photo assignments. When I take risks with my i-Phone shots, I have small successes. These translate directly into my paid photo assignments. I take note of what works and expound upon them with my big production shoots. Plus it's just plain fun. This application, Picture Show, has reinvigorated my impromptu photo sessions.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Fundraiser at CCforP

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Fundraiser: The Sale Soiree!at the Charleston Center for Photography

The Sale Soiree is a retail event to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Local boutiques and vendors will come together for a fashionable evening of shopping and music, many offering discounts of up to 75% OFF their retail prices. Tickets can be purchased for $10 Online or for $15 at the door. Sponsors include Posh&Savvy, MacKenzie Image Consulting, Social, hannesgreim photography, Yuduand O-Ku who is hosting the after party.