When it comes to big important clients, particularly celebrities, CEOs, or other high-ranking or well-known individuals, being thoroughly prepared and having the ability to keep cool under pressure is critical to the success of your photoshoot with them.

In this article on Photographing Celebrities and VIPs John Mireles of Photographer’s Toolkit spends some time to go over not only some important tips that can help you connect with that VIP subject, but to be able to stay in control of the shoot.

This is psyche that you may be facing when shooting a celebrity, according to John:

Powerful people are used to getting their way. They tell people what to do. They’ve got the money, the influence, the talent – whatever it is that other people want. So they get to be in control when dealing with people who are less powerful than they – which is just about everybody.

Enter the photographer. You’ve been hired by some magazine or company to come in and photograph this person. Unless you’re Annie Leibovitz, you’re essentially a nobody. Yet, when that subject steps in front of your camera, you’re now the boss. You’re dictating the action to someone who’s not accustomed to being dictated to. And that’s a problem.

Some of the really important tips that John mentions include planning ahead and thoroughly, scouting locations in advance, having a shot lists that include options for the clients, making the client feel special, having backup gears, and knowing your subjects. In a sense, all of these can apply to any kind of photoshoots dealing with people. It’s just that with VIPs, they are used to being the boss, and if you don’t get the shot because you weren’t prepared, you have to deal with that.

Be sure to read the rest of the article to find out how to effectively photography celebrities and VIPs.

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