💭 The Pre-Shoot Jitters Never Really Go Away

You’d think after hundreds of photo sessions, I’d walk into every shoot feeling cool, calm, and completely confident. But here’s the truth: I still get nervous — every single time.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a family session, a wedding, or an editorial shoot. There’s always that flutter in my stomach, that quick run-through of poses and lighting setups in my head, that little voice saying, “What if I forget something?”

But over time, I’ve learned something important — those nerves aren’t a sign of inexperience. They’re a sign that I care.

📸 Nerves Mean You’re Invested

When I feel nervous before a shoot, it’s never because I doubt my skills. It’s because I want to give my clients the absolute best experience possible.

I care about capturing their real connection, about making them feel comfortable, about delivering images that make them light up when they see them. That nervous energy? It’s my body’s way of saying, “This matters.”

It’s the same kind of nerves a musician feels before a performance or a speaker feels before stepping on stage — it’s passion mixed with responsibility.

🌤️ Preparation Eases the Anxiety (But Never Fully Removes It)

I’ve learned that nerves get quieter when I prepare intentionally. Checking my gear, scouting the location, reviewing the couple’s questionnaire — all of it helps me walk into a shoot feeling grounded.

But even with all that, a little nervousness still lingers. And that’s okay. Because those butterflies keep me sharp. They remind me not to get too comfortable, not to phone it in, and not to lose that spark of excitement that made me fall in love with photography in the first place.

🤍 Experience Doesn’t Mean Emotionless

Being an experienced photographer doesn’t mean you stop feeling things. If anything, the more I shoot, the more emotional I become. I’ve seen how fleeting these moments are — how a child’s laugh, a couple’s glance, or a family’s embrace can mean everything.

So when I show up to a session and my heart’s racing a little faster? It’s just a reminder that what I’m doing is real.

🌿 Let the Nerves Work for You

Instead of fighting the nerves, I’ve learned to let them fuel me. That rush keeps me observant. It pushes me to connect, to adapt, to create something genuine every single time.

Because at the end of the day, the nerves fade — but the art remains.