Jump Through Hoops, Swallow Swords, Perch on Tripods, Etc.

A photographer should be willing and able to do something himself before asking a client to do it.

It’s a matter of honest and credibility. If you’re not willing to demonstrate something first, they may think you’re pulling their leg. Heaven forbid they think you’re trying to make them look foolish.

So before asking someone to jump up & down on a couch or swallow a goldfish, be prepared to do it yourself first. Your subject will be much more cooperative if they believe your request is genuine.

This principle applies to simple stuff as well as the more complicated and challenging. If you want someone to place their hand on their face in some dorky pose, be ready to do it yourself and show them just how awful it looks.

For the more complicated tricks, try it out before you make a fool of yourself. So, to practice what I preach, here’s the first effort to balance on the tripod before asking some of my clients to do it. I’ll work up to the more elaborate things later. But for now, as long as I don’t break my neck, this cheap trick will do. You might say I’m an extension of my gear.

March 31, 2007

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