3 Tips to Be a More Confident Photographer
I hope you enjoy this great set of photos from a Sophia’s Sweet 16. Everyone had such a great time. And like any other shoot I always get a bit nervous. But confidence is what gets me through every photography gig.
The one thing that all artists have in common is they are doing what they love. But as a photographer there can be a lot of pressure to deliver quality work to your client. If you don’t get nervous once in a while you’re probably not a very good photographer. It’s those nerves that usually drives us to create our best work.
But at a certain point all that stress can be, well, stressful. You need to manage that stress and keep it under control in order to be a confident photographer. And I’m not talking about yoga or meditation. I’m talking about more practical techniques that can help manage all that stress before it happens not after.
Here are 3 things to do in order to make yourself a more confident photographer.
1. YOU SHOULD NOT TRY TO IMPRESS YOUR CLIENT
You heard correct. Many clients will have the same reaction whether you deliver a good photo or a great photo. They may thank you and they may even tell their friends. So no, you don’t need to impress your client.
But who do you need to impress? Your NEXT client. Yes, that’s right. Somewhere out there is the client you’ve been looking for and they are ready to pay big money. Now, here’s your chance to impress them. That’s your real motivation to do the best job possible. Try to impress that client.
2. ABHF (Always Be Having Fun)
If you’re an artist, you are doing what you love. And you better be having fun. Otherwise throw in the towel right now. You’re doing it wrong. There is nothing that says you can’t take your job seriously and also have fun. But for me, having fun is more important than the photos themselves. If your only goal is to get the best photo then you will always be disappointed. However, if your goal is to have fun than you win every time.
3. BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING
Because many of my photo shoots are done on location I do not bring the same exact gear to every shoot. I try to bring only what I need. However, if you’re struggling with confidence I strongly suggest bringing EXTRA gear. I find it extremely nerve wracking when I’m thinking to myself “I should have brought my charger. I should have brought my light stand. Etc.” These thoughts are not helpful. They increase unnecessary stress and can be a hindrance to your photography. Bring as much gear as possible that it is not going to slow down your process.
One example is recently I decided to bring a light stand to a job but not bring my soft box. This was a bad choice because I could easily have strapped them both together and carried them in one hand. It would not have slowed down my process by bringing the soft box. Luckily, I did not need it and the shoot was a success. But I was nervous the entire afternoon.
These tips are all a real part of my philosophy. I hope to inform and give insight into who I am as a photographer. Don’t hesitate to reach out for any photography needs.
