Studio photography

While the photographer most probably enjoys taking photographs, not everybody enjoys having their photographs taken (photographers included!) It is important to try to make people feel at ease during a shoot, and encourage them to relax and enjoy themselves.
Communication is key here. If you don't talk to your client, they won't know what you expect of them and may become confused and frustrated by your animated hand waving as you try to position them. Clear, polite and friendly instructions can help to remove any barriers and will make it much easier for the client to understand your directions. Body language is also important in communicating with clients and a friendly face and genuine smile will go a long way to put a client at ease.
Shooting from a position slightly below the client can also encourage them to relax as they will feel that you are closer to their level than if you are towering over them photographing downwards. It can also help to ask the client to sit slightly sideways on. This will make them feel less vulnerable as they are effectively turning their 'cold shoulder' towards you rather than exposing their 'soft underbelly'.
The photo below was taken during my first studio shoot and was also the model's (Lisa's) first time at modelling in a studio. Lisa and I already have an easy rapport so I did not turn her too far from the camera for this photo. Instead I asked her to look towards the light source so that I could see the catchlights in her eyes. This gives added sparkle to the photograph and, along with her natural smile, really brings Lisa to life.
The shadow from her nose is quite pronounced on one side of her face, creating a similar effect to loop lighting. However, the final image is closer to Rembrandt lighting as the nose and cheek shadows meet to create a small triangle of light beneath Lisa's left eye.

A number of light sources and accessories were used for this shoot. To the left of the picture below is a red head light with a reflective umbrella. This creates the catchlights in Lisa's eyes and the shadow from her nose. To the right is a round light which creates the light on the left side of her face. 

I also took a series pictures of our studio photography tutor. The one below is my favourite. Although I missed a catchlight effect, I like the dramatic nature of the split lighting which shows his face half in light and half in darkness. This sort of lighting effect can create brooding and mysterious pictures which leave the viewer to wonder what might be hidden within the dark side of the features. There is something slightly impenetrable about this person. A single red head light was used to create soft light from the side of the tutor's face.