How to work with an introvert/extravert.

Today I want to share my thoughts on introverts and extraverts in modeling and photography (as I am sort of shifting between two sides)

Ph Damian Drewniak 

The idea for this article arose from a conversation with photographers about Grumpy Russian Models. These are the kind of models for whom it is very normal not to put on a friendly face and not ask polite questions to make the client feel comfortable.

But not only Slavic models do not consider it necessary to talk on set, and today, I will tell you why this is not always bad and maybe even positive. It’s just that sociable and unsociable models require different approaches. Their level of openness to communication does not correlate with their professionalism, so don’t worry if the model seems shy or uninterested in communication.

(Later, I will also say a few words about photographers being communicative or not as well)

If your model is less sociable than you. There can be a lot of reasons, and only one of them is that she doesn’t like the photographer and is only on the shoot for the money. She may have her period or other ailments. Few models will cancel a shoot for health reasons, and few will even admit to being unwell. But sociability suffers in this case. There may be personal reasons. Character traits. Language barrier. Math equations that the model solves in her head in parallel with shooting, cause it helps her to control her facial expressions, whatever. In a nutshell, there is no need to think deeply about why the model is so quiet. 

Better think about how to work with that:

• give clear instructions and don't over repeat it. You don’t have to say everything several times just to fill the silence, models usually listen to the instructions well and it is not necessary to talk about something that was already accepted and understood. 

• It always helps to turn on music in the background that suits both of you, so that there is no awkward silence, and then everyone can work calmly - the photographer giving instructions, and the model following them.

• Take breaks. If a person is more reserved and introverted, they will be very grateful to you for short 2-5 minute breaks between sets. During these breaks, the photographer is busy with his work (changing the set, lighting, camera settings, etc.), and the model can simply take a break from communication. From my perspective, my eyes are always more alive after such pauses, and the brain thinks more clear 

• You can ask directly what format of work the model prefers and if she knows what suits her best, try to adapt to her scheme. This could be working with her favorite playlist; working with a mood board; modeling in a free flow, when the photographer works at a higher speed and catching natural moves, etc. Modeling on 1-2-3 (helps to prevent blinking/squinting). There are a lot of different scenarios and if your model has a prefered one - why not trying it

• Also don't feel scared or guilty to speak, if the person doesn't reply much. It is allowed to talk to quiet models :) Just don't overdo it if possible;)

What to do if the model, on the contrary, is more sociable. As a photographer, you may feel overwhelmed by the attention and enthusiasm of the model, an overabundance of her ideas that do not coincide with yours, or protracted conversations that reduce the time for shooting, so you feel like your money is flowing away. 

• In this case (surprisingly), music helps again because it's not convenient to talk to it, and it puts you in a more productive mood. 

• If you have enough time to follow the model's ideas, do so. Quite often some unexpectedly good results come from this. But if time is running out and it is important for you to do what is planned, you will have to say this directly. It is totally ok :) 

• It is worth verbally indicating how long the breaks for chatting will be, and ensuring compliance with the schedule.

• take breaks if YOU need some. It is normal if you run out of energy, you don't need to try to catch up with a model who seems to have endless batteries

• honestly admit that you are more comfortable working in a different mode. The model is not your enemy, and if they have more energy than you, this does not mean that you should suffer at the photoshoot. Most of experienced models can tone down their energy-posing speed-stream of words :)

Bonus chapter

What should models do if the photographer doesn’t match the level of sociability?

More specifically, what do I do if the photographer is more silent than me? I'm composing topics in my head for new Patreon posts. Usually, immediately after shooting, I forget these topics, but still something remains:) 

(This post was partly composed in my mind at a quiet photoshoot as well)

I would start a small talk a few times at a photoshoot if I feel like the silence starts feeling uncomfortable for me, check with a photographer if the photoshoot is going in a right direction or if they want to maybe change sth. But if they confirm that a set is fine, my modeling is fine and I can just see that they don't have enough energy to speak (or are too focused on their camera settings for example), i would let them work in silence. 

If the photographer is more social than myself (very rare but might happen) So far i didn't have a case where it would be an issue, so I don't have any secrets to share about my workflow in this case. 

In general, working with people is always like a bingo game, where the character settings of two different people must match. Most professional models know how to adapt to photographers so that their work together is as productive as possible, but it is worth remembering that if you worked in a different mode from your normal, you definitely need to give yourself extra rest after such a shoot

ph Albert Finch