Be clear with your subject about your intentions in order to 'show them respect and give them agency'
For this article on Storybench, Daniel Hentz, a graduate student at Northeastern's School of Journalism, spoke to Boston Globe photographers Matthew Lee and Stan Grossfeld about their experience as photographers for a variety of news organisations.
They encourage journalists not to be afraid to contact people even though it might be intimidating to ask them emotional questions while they are going through something difficult.
"No doubt the barrel of the camera can feel like a loaded weapon sometimes when a subject is caught unaware. Clarifying intentionality may be the surest way to show respect and give your subject agency," they wrote.
Once someone has started telling you their story, have a conversation with them before you start shooting. Ask them about something in the room they're passionate about because “their excitement tends to distract them from the camera”, making them more comfortable with opening up in front of a camera and make it easier for you to take a great photograph.
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