Yo yo, what’s up. Day 16, pushing.
Today the prompt is teach you something about photography. And I feel like ISO, shutter speeds, lighting techniques, that’s like 2009 YouTube.
Today I want to teach a technique I like calling shooting the in between moment.
Most People Think the Photo Happens When the Subject Is Ready
You know. Smile. Hold it. Click. Passport photos. That’s the obvious frame.
But the real photograph? The real photograph usually happens right after that.
Performance Versus Presence
Here’s what I mean. When someone poses, they are performing. Their muscles tighten slightly. The smile becomes intentional. Their posture is constructed.
But after the second you say “nice, that’s good,” they exhale. Their shoulders drop. Their eyes soften. The laugh is natural or the smile is natural. They break character.
That there, that’s the in between moment. And that’s where honesty for me lives.
Psychologically, this makes sense. When we know we are being observed, we control our expressions. But when we think that the moment is over, control relaxes. Micro expressions slip through.
For me, that’s the real stuff.
Here’s a Very Practical Technique You Could Use
Step 1: Get what I call the safe shot first.
Give them what they expect. Let them settle into the shot. Build comfort. Don’t rush it. Do it.
Step 2: Don’t lower your camera.
Keep it on them. This is where most photographers miss it. They take the shot and drop the camera to review. Take the shot. Keep it there. Don’t keep shooting.
Step 3: Talk while shooting.
So your camera is there. You’ve taken the first shot. Nice, nice. Let me see something else. Take the next shot. Nice, nice. I like this one.
They will drop and relax. Take that shot.
So that’s why in my previous things I said get to know them. Because Step 3, while you’re talking, crack a joke. Ask a random question. Say something slightly unexpected. Watch their reactions.
That reaction, that split second shift, is the frame you’re looking for. Unless you’re doing passport photos.
Sometimes I’ll say, “Okay, relax.” But relax is so predictable. They might relax. Click. And be like, “Oh, do you like kalo and eshabwe?” And then they smile. Click. Or “You’re like ew, yuck.” Click. You get.
So sometimes I’ll pretend I’m just changing settings, but I’m actually waiting for them to literally exhale. Click.
The In Between Moment Is Subtle
It’s not dramatic. It’s actually human.
It may be a half smile. A glance away. A slight eyebrow raise. A breath.
But those are the images that actually feel alive.
Anyone can capture a pose. Not everyone can capture presence.
If you want your lifestyle portraits to feel less staged and more real, then train yourself to anticipate the release. The relaxation.
The photo isn’t when they perform. It’s when they forget that they are performing.
So please give it a try.
Catch you tomorrow. This has been Day 16. Day 17 tomorrow.
