How to Photograph People Who Hate Being Photographed

As an aspiring or professional photographer, it is a challenge to photograph people who hate being photographed. Some people are self-conscious; some have trust issues, and others have an inbred aversion to the camera. There is not a single tip on how to photograph people who hate being photographed. Professional photographers like Michael Grecco can provide insight into overcoming the challenges involved in making people feel at ease in front of the camera.

In his book, The Art of Portrait Photography and Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography, Michael Grecco provides tips on connecting with a subject matter as well as lighting techniques that are effective.

Every Portrait Tells a Story

Throughout his career, Grecco has worked to let pictures tell the stories. Over the years, Grecco has tried his hand at many disciplines within the art and craft of photography. Early in the Days of Punk, Grecco gained the trust of the emerging culture and was given access that allowed him to capture moments in time.

Members of the band Human Sexual Response pose for a portrait on the rooftop. (Photo by Michael Grecco)

Talking Head photographed by Michael Grecco

As Michael Grecco states in the introduction to The Art of Portrait Photography and Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait, “Becoming a portrait photographer is a process, not an end result. This career, or this life, I have chosen is so challenging that it has forced me to be conscious and creative in everything I do—to be open to the happenstance of life and use it in my creative process. You are the benefactor of this consciousness. I lay it all on the line here, but remember, what I am sharing is not a fixed group of ideas, but an ever-changing and constantly growing process. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.”

Using the tips shared by Greco throughout his career, rather than snapping a forced portrait, a photographer must become part of the person’s environment. The photographer’s job begins with making the person who is the subject feel comfortable in the environment. Grecco’s work illustrates that a portrait becomes meaningful only when it resonates emotionally. The trust between photographer and subject is key to a portrait telling a story.

Singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson poses for portraits at Bonnie Schiffman’s Studio in Los Angeles on March 30, 1989. (Photo by Michael Grecco)

Photographer Trust

In the early days of photography, there were myths and beliefs about the “magic” of the camera, the “evil” of a photograph, and the sorcery of the craft. Early photographers had their work cut out for them, reassuring portraiture subjects that the camera would not “steal” or “imprison” their souls. These beliefs were strongly held by indigenous communities and religious sects.

People who hate being photographed offer the same challenges to the photographer in 2025. Michael Grecco and other professional portrait photographers use the art of conversation and explanation to put their subjects at ease.

Photographers can foster a trust and working relationship with people who hate being photographed by:

• Finding a common interest
• Explaining why they love photography and taking portraits.
• Talk about the equipment and its purpose in creating a photo.
• The goal is to capture a moment in time.

The Hidden Technical Skills of a Portrait Photographer

Some people have an intuitive rapport with people, while others must consciously work at it. Picking the set, adjusting the lighting, and planning the shot are the overt skills of a photographer. Embracing patience, empathy, and forming collaborations with the person being photographed are the hidden technical skills of a portrait photographer.