I'm definitely an introvert, mostly from suffering with depression but getting out there with my camera relaxes me in a way and helps me fight my depression. Portrait photography has become my main workload this past 6 months and I'm loving the challenge of it ❤️

I'm an introvert to a point where it's extremely hard even to answer an e-mail sometimes (even this comment is a huge step out of my comfort zone), and I've been doing portrait photography for more than ten years...and I must say it's not getting easier, not a tiny little bit. I keep making less and less portrait shoots with every year, although I love it so much...

I'm a huge introvert. If I see someone I know in public I will act like I dont see them so I don't have to speak lol🤣. During my sessions I just fake it and use longer lenses most the time. Like Manny said I get people to talk about themselves, which has helped a lot. Man I swear talking to people is exhausting. Good to know I'm not alone.

I overcame my introversion by becoming a videographer 😂... The photog does all the posing at weddings

I struggle with talking to people - telling them what to do, how to pose, look this way/that way. Pheww... Dont even get me started with kids! I just had a family shoot this past weekend, luckily the parents were SUPER helpful. Love the video Manny! I do have to work on it!

I don't know what you all are talking about as all the animals I shoot just seem to love me.

What manny said about getting extremely anxious before a shoot is totally me. I also put on an “extrovert persona” to fake it a little and it ends up helping . Awesome to see people succeed and dealing with issues you deal with yourself

introversion is really an issue for me....sometimes i feel like becoming a product photographer....😅

This is probably the very best format of educational videos on youtube. No f***ing clickbaity 5 tips this and 7 tips that. No. Just 2 very good and very experienced photographers having a casual talk on the stairs and we viewers can be part of it and learn from that. Please do more like these

I'm an introverted studio photographer and one of my saving graces is having a good makeup artist who spends an hour with the subject before I shoot them. They chat and the client is relaxed before coming into the studio. I get to pop in and check on their progress occasionally and not have to spend too much time making small talk. Great video! Thank you!

In the beginning of the video I was like, "Manny is an introvert!?!?🤯🤯🤯" But after a while I started to notice things like the way you're sitting and your body language as you talk and I was like 🤯🤯🤯. I'm pretty sure this video is what every introverted photographer needs right now

I felt that “i just wanna cancel the shoot” hahaha. I feel like that EVERY TIME. Even when I already know the people I’m working with, I’m just wrecked for hours leading up to the shoot lol. Just gotta do it anyway and trust the fact the no matter how much you mess up, miscommunicate, or whatever it is you’re anxious about, you’ll nail enough shots to make up for it. Thanks for shining the light. Great tips y’all.

Here is the summary of tips in-case you want to refer back to them: 1. Start in an area of photography such as live performances where you are able to practice, and take good photographs without being responsible or directing the subject in front of you. It's a safe place to start and grow. 2. Give the model or client general direction and let them take reins from there. They will pose to what feels natural to them, which will lead into an image with authentic energy. 3. Shooting telephoto will force you to step back and compose your shot, while being at a comfortable distance. It will help with the anxiety feeling and at the same time you'll have a portrait you're happy with. 4. Mentally prepare to energize your personality to your model or client in a way that's inviting. Prepare small get-to-know questions mixed with normal ones (i.e. how was you commute/day?) 5. Matching the energy of your model or client will also help. Gauge if they're extroverted, if so it's only for the duration of your shoot. Having too much energy with an introverted client will probably make them uneasy. And for a 6th tip, just have fun! Enjoying what you do is also important, and your client/model will reflect that energy. Good luck everyone!

Being an introvert is the main reason why my favorite type of photography is animal photography, just going to the zoo and spend hours there is so rewarding.

Oh, that's why I almost completely switched to real estate photography. The most difficult part is directing all wedding guests for group shots. I wanna die at these moments. Thank you for the video! It's encouraging to know that I am not the only one struggling with this.

I can’t like this enough. And being introverted myself, I feel like I was alone in this. But after seeing this, I’m not.

Great topic and great video. Thanks Manny and Taylor! Being an introvert myself, these tips are definitely going to help me! Thanks again 🙏

I loved hearing these different perspectives on how to deal with being an introvert and the social photography aspects. For me to fake and extrovert I need to be well rested and prepared 😄 Matching people’s energy (introvert/extrovert) sounds like a good strategy, too. I personally just tend to focus on what I’m doing and complement people when I get a shot that I feel is strong, I tend to show the picture too, quite casually and with an honest excitement. I feel like it reassures people and makes them more comfortable

I started off doing a lot of portrait photography and I find once I'm actually shooting people i get in the zone and I feel comfortable, but meeting people and finding people to work with is really difficult for me. Stressful even. I recently decided to do more street photography because I feel it's quite a bit easier since I don't have to interact with most people. Plus I find it fun and interesting trying to create stories with people who have no idea they are even being photographed.

This is an amazing topic and I'm glad you brought that up for all introvert photographers out there. Wish you made this video a couple years ago when I was struggling with communication myself.

Thank you so much. Really needed a video like this to inspire me.

Thanks Manny! Great info as always sir

This is super true and and I find myself in this situation all the time. Very helpful video

Great video! Thank you so much, Manny! 💕

Yeah, I can relate.....but just today I was thinking about quitting, because the anxiety kills me, and the exhaustion of faking it takes an even greater toll on me. I want to figure out another way to make money out of photography without doing photo-shoots with people, because I really hate it. Besides being an introvert, I am also autistic. I thought the more I do it, the easier it would get but it's not getting any easier.

These kinds of videos are so necessary Manny and so appreciated by those of us in the "introverted community". My stomach is usually in knots before every shoot, but like you, I put on my extroverted facade for the early part of the shoot. My 85mm has always been my go-to lens but I never really thought why. I just loved the look. I guess it's because I get a little ways away from my subjects - lol. Great video and please keep it up. We really do appreciate you!!

Manny, these kinds of videos mean so much to me. Much like you, I often appear to be an extrovert but I'm completely introverted and find photography so challenging as a result. But this video really motivates me because I see that I'm not the only one. Thank you so much for being honest and sharing your struggles.

Awesome video!!! I needed something like this!!!

Thanks for this video! In fact, the problems you are talking about affect every aspect of life. I find out photography is really helpful in overcoming social issues.

Thank you for this Manny. Really needed this.

I am also an introverted person and found Street photography is really my way to push through. The camera created this way for me to feel safe like I am doing something here and it helped me learn to interact, be more assertive, and just talk to strangers.

Spot on! Good to hear others struggle with same things and situations. Yes having people who aren’t models just do things like walking, holding hands is one way of getting started, building up a look, pushing yourself through the introvert barrier more and more makes you less anxious I’ve found, allow me to become that faux extrovert you were talking about. Great Vlog! Keep on keeping on!

Manny what a great idea for a video for your audience.. Well done and kudos for not just another KZfaq video about another lens.. I'm sure this one took more guts to do that a typical video but it sure does build a stronger connection. Nice job!

I really think introverts are attracted to photography. I know I started shooting my kids sports because it was much better than standing around talking to the other parents!

Great video, as always! I'm a successful but very introverted photographer. The anxiety before shoots is exhausting. Glad to hear I’m not alone.

Great content and advise, thanks!

What a nice, open and honest video. Love it! This is really helpful. Kudoos 😁

I feel the same way. I know what i'm doing when it comes to videography and photography but I get that overwhelming feeling sometimes and I know that when get over this i'll be able to succeed more .Thanks for this video.

Thanks for letting us know that it's ok, AND that it's going to get better!! 👏👏❤❤

I have to tell you Manny. I came for your videos for info on cameras I was looking up (A7III) but I stayed because you have so much knowledge that you freely drop to anyone. I appreciate it man.

Thank you for this Manny! Struggle is real for fellow introverts, this tips are in point. 👌🏽

Thank you for this, Manny! These tips really help with the struggle.

Thank you Manny. I really needed this right now.

I appreciate this video, I am also a natural introverted photographer but I am able to show an extroverted side of me when I work with my clients or other photographers

Great points. I know I have to work on finding the balance between directing and letting the moment flow.

That was an excellent video by you 2 guys and very helpful. I can relate to everything you said.

Saw the title and my immediate reaction was "He must have made this for me"

Thanks for that down to earth reality chat...on point....

Thank you. I love when you make these. It does help. 👍🏻

Great Video! I can relate to this 100%

Nice video, guys! I definitely have those jitters before some type of photoshoot or event like what Manny was saying, but once I'm there it's all good.

Thanks Manny! I'm new to the freelance world, so this is really helpful! Thanks again!

Was feenin'for a new video for a while!

You're so awesome to put this content together to help the creative community. The genuine desire to help fellow introverted souls... 🥺🙏 may the photography ancestors bless you real hard.

Omg love that you made this! Thank you! I was able to relate to this whole thing but as soon as you said You get anxiety about a shoot and sometimes just want to cancel. I always do but think to myself I can't, I have to do this.

Thank you so much....that was so much more valuable than any gear talk. People always think that youtuber are generally extrovert.

Man, super good info here. This is the part of photography I struggle with the most

Thank you Manny and Jason! I was literally laying in the bed, DEPRESSED, about the cloudy overcast day (but this is a good lighting to shoot with), and other shit in my life and started watching this video and almost came to tears knowing that I’m not the only one dealing with this. 🙏🏿Thank you guys so much for the inspiration and encouragement to keep going! Long story short, im headed out to shoot, who knows what but I’ll figure it out!

Hi, I’m in same situation before I shoot a model. Those videos are very helpful! I hope there is some more! Thanks Manny!

WOW thanks guys this whole conversation spoke to my spirit. Here I was thinking im the only one that goes through a thing before every shoot. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for this! I'm an introvert who wants to start portrait photography. You both have given me some great idea on how to start as an introvert. Thank You!

Exactly, preach on!! Always great to collaborate with others!!

This is one of the reasons why I do not want to mess with weddings. Even though I have been proposed to it so many times. The other reason, of course, is that I can't stand the summer heat. Doing weddings through hot summers and being at the same time an introvert is a no-no. I'd love to do portraiture and lately, I have also started doing some, but I have difficulty finding people to shoot at. However, people love my photography, the few portraits I've done, some weddings and christenings in which I have also taken shots for best friends and family and say that this is what I should be doing for a living, even though I do not want to.

I can identify with many things you said. It's especially a challenge when you're unable to meet with a client before a shoot, so on top of trying to direct them effectively, you're also trying to get to know them a little more and be more sociable.

Started with high school sports and events. Learned to use my feet to get the best angles and positions in capturing a specific moment. Took several years and teaching a photography class to finally study posing techniques. I am amazed at the work you produce for being an "introvert".

I really needed this. I have a shoot coming up in three days with someone I've yet to meet in person. The silver lining is that we actually have a mutual friend, so she knows what I _can_ do, has an idea of how long it takes, and knows I'm an introvert. Now I can probably be a smidge less awkward.

This speaks to me so much. I get very bad social anxiety to the point where I get physically sick the day before a big shoot. Good to know that there are other photographers out there like me.

Great video, this one helped!

Thanks Manny I am an introvert photographer who started out with landscapes and wildlife. After kids and people seeing their photos I am now a portrait photographer always anxious before the shoots with extra prep but like you become relaxed in the conversations. Thanks for the video.

Wow....this is so good, and all the comments. I thought it was only me. Weddings are the worst but I just make myself do it. Thanks for this video!!

Damn this vid is raw af, bless you both!

Exellent lesson keep it up Manny😎😎

Two of my biggest inspirations!

I feel like this is a huge topic that no one really talks about. These are some awesome tips I'm going to try myself!

This is the biggest thing holding me back...I canceled a couple bigger shoots this year because of it and am so disappointed in myself. Never thought I would see a video so clear cut about this. Great vid and great info to start off my new year as a better photographer. ♡♡

Manny, situation is the same with me, also sometimes if I see many people It became awkward always and make me feel uncomfortable shoot and get mind block I can't think of an post for them. This real helpful so happy to watch this video. This is quality from their experience, priceless!

This is a good exposure. Thank you 👍🏻

huge fan of the vids Manny. an issue I see with a lot of people's commentary on their experiences as an introverted photographer is that they seem to mix up introversion and simply having difficulty socializing or being antisocial. despite being an introvert, I don't struggle to communicate or socialize with my models or clients, I simply get socially exhausted after a period of time, which is the main trait of introversion. while I don't know your personal life, judging from what I see in your videos you certainly seem to share this experience. it just doesn't feel like the same can be said for people who use a false guise of being "introverted" to excuse their lack of effort being put towards enhancing their ability to casually socialize or communicate effectively with their clients or models which is undoubtedly an important skill for this kind of business

„How to work with people and still be successful“ . ... made me smile

Just getting started and I feel this so much

This helped me so much guys, I cant even put it into words !

Hello! I should have seen this video before I met you at shinjuko !! I was anxious. to ask for a picture of you! Best people in the world.

Very cool tips, thanks

I loved you addressed this issue on this video. Congrats for your honesty in revealing this about you, it´s something that help and encourage people like me to keep it on... (I'm damn introverted)

Totally awesome, ty.

Love ya both..been following forever. Glad you're able to hang out your dirty laundry. I personally cannot relate. Im extrovert..100% but fully understand your position. Ive made a career out of bringing introvert clients out of their shells for decades... Have a Merry Christmas fellas..Much love to Diana!

Interesting topic. I’m also a bit introverted but have generally learned how to manage it.

Manny, if you're truly an introvert you deserve an academy award! I watch your videos with total envy at the (apparent) effortlessness with which you're able to work with models. You come off as the most affable, easy-going yet in control photographer on the planet. Who knew? Thanks for the great content.

To all introverts (like me): Read „Quiet“ from Susan Cain! It’s an eye opener! 👌

Watching this now and I really need it..

Well done guys. Keep it up! :)

This really is a helpful topic

😁✌️been waiting for this week's video

As a fellow introverted photographer, I learn more from you and taylor Jackson because both of your styles of doing a photoshoots is exactly what I do.

Thanks for this video, i need that 😅🖤

Always be yourself and go have fun!

I'm a total extro with friends but a complete introvert with unknown people. Such a nice video and interesting topic. Thanks for showing that you can be great even if you have trouble with the social aspect as an intro

You have no idea how much your videos help! - a fellow introvert trying to be the best photographer I can be.

Thank you so much for this video, I was thinking of killing this dream of mine about doing portrait photography before I even started. I’m so glad I tried anyway. I have my first paid photoshoot soon. And I’m so fucking stressed out. But I’ll push through, I have to follow my heart even if it’s hard. Thank you for all your amazing content

Thank you Sir! 🔌🙏