This is tip #40 of 101 digital imaging tips that I plan to post here over the next few months. Stay tuned.

Today's tip: Respect the subject.

Having good equipment will help you get good people pictures. But another factor is to follow the advice that I was given early on in my career by National Geographic photographer Sarah Leen: "Respect your subjects – and they will respect you.

I have followed Sarah's advice over the years, and I encourage you to do the same. If you do, your subjects will sense that feeling of respect – and you'll have a better chance of getting the kind of photographs you seek.

Of course, the opposite is true.

For more on people photography, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and respect your subject,
Rick