Top 10 Tips to Overcome Nerves for a Photo Shoot
The photo shoot is booked, this is on your bucket list, you’ve never had the chance (or the guts) until now and you know it’s going to be amazing. But as sure as you are, the butterflies have moved in and they’re not going anywhere…
Hands down the thing we hear the most is how nervous clients are before their photo shoot, closely followed by worries about what to bring and a general hatred of being in front of the camera. Rest assured, our professional Photographers are human beings (not monsters) and they have shared their Top 10 Tips on how to relax, enjoy your shoot, and how you can prepare so you can leave those nerves at home and make the most of your amazing experience.
Generally our clients who get most nervous actually get the most out of the experience because when they see those unbelievable photos, they are speechless, completely stunned and quite often, in tears because they cannot believe how fantastic they look. All of that worry and apprehension becomes a distant memory replaced with confidence, empowerment and the realization that they are beautiful!
DURING YOUR SHOOT
TIP 1 – GO TO YOUR ‘HAPPY PLACE’
Some people get fixated on the fact that the Photographer, (not monster) is standing there with a camera, and just can’t relax. So, as Photographer Alicia suggests, “this is the time to try and think about something else. Look out of the window, watch the people going by and imagine that your best friend or mum is outside with a big box of chocolates” or a bar of gold? Anything, as long as it helps you get to that happy place where this is not the most terrifying experience of your life and you don’t look like something from Madame Tussauds.
TIP 2 – BFFS
Build a relationship with your photographer! Photographer Jude tells us: “Not only will this help you to relax and get the creative juices flowing, but the better the communication between you and your photographer, the better your photographs are going to be”. Think of it like catching up with an old friend, but instead of the cuppa’ tea and box of biscuits there is Champagne and a Nikon!
TIP 3 – CHAMPAGNE, PLEASE!
There is nothing like a glass of bubbly to make you feel like a VIP, to calm the nerves and get you excited; this is a totally unique and pampering experience, we want you to feel special and love every minute!
TIP 4 – THE TRANSFORMATION
First thing’s first: get glamorous, so what better way to make you feel like a celebrity than being pampered by world class hair and make-up artists who have worked for shows such as Australia’s Next Top Model and magazines like GQ. Make-up artist Chloe loves that “Clients get to watch the transformation happening before their eyes, with the bright lights and excitement happening all around them, it’s difficult not to be feeling amazing and brimming with confidence by the time the shoot begins!”
TIP 5 – GET ON DOWN TO A FUNKY SOUND…
This is YOUR party! An experience of a lifetime, that is all about making you feel confident, sexy and happy about who you are and the body you’re in, bring the tunes you love and let’s rock out and celebrate YOU!
TIP 6 – GOODBYE CELLULITE! REMEMBER WE EDIT AND RETOUCH!
Not only will your photographer show you some of your stronger shots throughout the shoot so you can relax knowing how awesome you look, there is no need to be nervous about the final photographs either. Your photographer will take around 1000 shots, they are the only ones who will edit them, and so by the time you are sipping Bubbly at your Viewing, the candid shots will have vanished and you will see only your best 60 – 70, retouched and edited to your heart’s content. So you can wave goodbye to any luggage under the eyes, and to that ill-timed spot that appeared on shoot day.
TIP 7 – TRUST ISSUES…
The big thing to remember is to trust your photographer, your stylist and your hair & make-up artist because, as Producer & Stylist Candice rightly says: “We are experts at what we do, we only want you to feel amazing and we are paid to make you look good, so you know you are going to look hot!”
TIP 8 – GO SOLO!
Often people think it will be a much scarier experience if you go to your photo shoot alone, however it actually makes it easier because once you get past the initial nerves, you can truly relax into the experience, enjoy your time with the photographer and make it your own.
Photographer James says: “If you bring someone with you, you have to be sure that they are not going to inhibit you, and that they will in some way contribute to your experience, even just by being supportive.” If they are going to laugh, make you feel embarrassed or distract you, they will become an obstacle in the confidence building process and a stumbling block that you really don’t need. This experience is all about you, don’t let anyone else steal the show.
TIP 9 – ‘BUT I HAVE NO CLOTHES!’
If this is in fact the issue, no worries we do amazing Artistic Nudes, however if you just can’t think of what to bring the first thing to do is try on some outfits. Gather your favourites and consider things you can mix and match, and most importantly make sure everything fits. Our stylists are experts, so even if you aren’t 100% on what goes with what, they will help to find the best outfit on the day.
Jude suggests “Making a pre-shoot To Do and a To Bring list can be a fantastic way to plan exactly what you are bringing and to make sure you don’t forget anything! It is better to be over prepared, think of everything individually e.g. If you are bringing a strapless dress, bring a strapless bra etc.”
TIP 10 – LOOK INTO THE PAST…
If you are still a little nervous, why not look through a few old photos for styling ideas, as Photographer Chloe recommends: “Look on facebook or in albums, if there are any photos that you like of yourself in particular, ask yourself why and what is it about that photo that you like? Is it the clothes, your make-up, hair or the angle of the shot?” (And because you can’t see your face is not an appropriate answer).
STILL NERVOUS?
We hope our tips from the professionals have helped to put those nerves at ease, but something to remember is at The Photo Studio we pride ourselves on our amazing work and cohesive team dynamic and our main aim is to make you look and feel beautiful. Everyone who visits our professional fashion photography studio agrees that it could be such an intimidating place but it just simply isn’t, because of our fantastic team of professionals who are down to Earth, patient, supportive and who make everyone feel wonderful about themselves.
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