The Nervous Photographer

The Nervous Photographer

I still get really nervous when I go on a shoot. Even after 6 years of taking photographs, I still feel this way.

At first I thought it was because I lacked self-confidence, or as I liked to call it “imposters syndrome”. I guess the latter just sounded better.

But the thing is, I realised that being nervous is a great thing. It means that I’m not complacent and it keeps me on my toes. It makes sure that I am constantly learning and that I am always making damn sure that I am as prepared as I can be for a shoot.

Another part of my nerves is worrying if my client will like my pictures. The fact is that not everyone will. No matter how good the pictures are, there will always be those who don’t. And that’s fine because with these ‘nerves’ I go into every shoot knowing that I am going to give my best. And if my best is not good enough for them, then that’s ok. Because as I said, my best may not be good enough for everyone. But more importantly, I know that my best today is far better than my best of yesterday.

I always want to be present, conscious and mindful about the thing I love doing. I wake up and each day I am determined to practice and learn something new to sharpen my skills. The fact is that this may not last, and if it doesn’t then I will be ok because I know that I gave my all with what I had for the thing I love doing.

Accepting this has been absolutely liberating.

I hope that I still feel nervous about everything I love and feel passionate about. There is beauty in knowing that not only have you given your best but your best will always just keep getting better.