TIPS / 6 WAYS TO CALM YOUR NERVES BEFORE A PHOTO SHOOT

Nervous in front of the camera?

You’re not alone.

While photography is pretty much a staple of daily life these days, most people are fine with an iPhone selfie and Insta filter, but being in front of the lens of a professional photographer, a whole other ball game.

So here are some sneaky tips to calm your nerves in the lead up to, and on shoot day.

1 / QUESTIONS

A good photographer should be doing everything possible to make you as comfortable as possible for your shoot day. This includes helping you to be prepared. Ask your photographer for a shoot planner and understand how the shoot will roll. Knowing what to expect when you arrive at the location is naturally going to make you feel a tad more relaxed. Don’t be shy to ask questions.

2 / RESEARCH

Get to know your photographer. Get your social stalk on. Check out their about me page, Instagram stories and their blog where they may share a bit more about themselves personally. Understanding your photographers vibe and hopefully thinking they are someone you would actually want to have a coffee with on the weekend, is going to make it so much easier to work with them on shoot day.

3 / PAMPER

Book in a little pamper session the week of the shoot. Hair cut, massage, facial, manicure - what ever you need to be feeling your best, brightest self. Feeling great inside will come through outside. And regardless of the photo shoot, you probably deserve it anyway! (Psst... Gold Coasters, I strongly recommend getting hot and steamy at The Greenhouse Bathhouse for this one!)

4 / SHOP

I know this sounds like a trick, but this is serious (isn’t shopping always?!) Avoid the angst at your tired old wardrobe on shoot morning and treat yourself to a new piece of clothing or accessory for the occasion. The excitement of wearing your new piece for the first time will have you waking up with smile on your dial.

5 / MUSIC

Pump your favourite uplifting tunes on the way to the shoot. Forget where you’re headed, have a little boogie and singalong in the car. Music can be an incredible relaxant when you succumb yourself to it.

6 / BOOZE

Yes, totally appropriate to have a little vino or sneaky beverage to calm those last minute jitters. Of course don’t go overboard, no need to neck a bottle of sav to escape the fear of the camera. But a friendly glass before or during the shoot is ideal to relax everyone, may even be a good prop in the photos.

So that's really it. But if all of that fails and you are still nervous as hell, then all you need to do, is breath and smile, it’s pretty simple, your photographer will do the rest!