What are the best ways to manage pre-session jitters?

What comes to mind when you think professional photos?

I usually think about the stress of getting everyone ready, worrying about my hair & if my makeup looks okay. During the session I’m wondering if I’m tilting my head in that weird way that I do (and never noticed till I looked at pictures of myself), if my smile looks okay, if my hands look awkward and if everyone else is cooperating at the same time. And I know what you’re thinking……but you’re a photographer!?

Well yeah, but I’m also a human being like you! And part of being human means having insecurities and worries just like everyone else. If I’m being honest, I think these struggles of my own actually make me a better photographer because I truly do understand the anxieties and concerns that come up prior to & during a session. So to try and help you have the best experience possible, here are my top tips for managing anxiety during a photo session.

Tip #1: Stay present

You have done all the work to prepare and are looking forward to beautiful pictures that will reflect the stage of life you are in. Try to remember the reason you are getting pictures done and trust that I am here to help with “crowd control”, giving you direction when needed, and ensuring that the actual images turn out beautifully. This free’s you up to enjoy your time with your loved ones or yourself, take in the moment that is occurring around you and put your future worries aside.

Tip #2: If you are including children in your session, no need to worry about getting them to cooperate.

I’m a mom of three, a mental health professional who has worked with children for over 20 years and prior to that a babysitter with more then a decade of experience. I’ve been in this game a long time! I get kids. I enjoy kids and I promise, the behaviors that cause you the most stress, do not push my buttons like they push yours (mainly because they aren’t my kids….my own kids have the ability to drive me bonkers in ways you can’t imagine…lol…welcome to parenting). All of this to say, you just smile, give me your best and I’ll make sure that we get your kids to engage. If need be we will play games, allow them to cuddle with you, tell silly stories and basically get creative.

Tip #3: Take deep breaths

One of the best ways to reset your central nervous system (which controls all the emotions and signals running through our body) is to take slow, intentional, deep breaths. Breathe in for four, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4. It’s simple. It’s intentional. You can do it anywhere and it’s effective. Even marines, police officers and other high level combat groups use it….they just call it “tactical breathing”. So if you’re feeling anxious, flustered, tense, stressed, try taking several rounds of deep breaths.

Tip #4: Talk about it

If you’re feeling nervous, stressed, rushed, unprepared, etc, let your photographer know! It’s our job to help you feel at ease during your session. One of the best ways to ensure that this happens is to be open and honest with how you are feeling. Let us know your concerns, things that have been helpful in the past or experiences that have really caused issues for you. Not only will this help get it off your mind, it will also help your photographer know how to best serve you. At the end of the day it’s about the images AND the experience and if both are not in alignment, then the overall outcome will suffer.

Tip #5: Love thyself

The last tip and maybe the most important is love yourself. We are all our own worst critic. How many times do you look at a photo of yourself and pick everything apart? As your photographer, I will find beautiful light, flattering angles and poses and capture you as authentically as possible. At the end of the day, you still have to love you (just as you love your best friend, your child, your spouse) and remember that you are beautiful. Confidence and self-love are the two most powerful tools you bring to a session that can absolutely influence the quality of your photos.

So when you’re preparing to book your next session, reference my tips and walk into that session calm, confident and ready to showcase your best self! Look forward to seeing you on the other side of my camera!