MINDSET MATTERS: WHY PREPARING FOR YOUR PHOTO SHOOT IS MORE THAN AN OUTFIT
Photo by MML Photography LLC featuring Katie Logsdon Creative

MINDSET MATTERS: WHY PREPARING FOR YOUR PHOTO SHOOT IS MORE THAN AN OUTFIT

May 8?

Written By?Michelle Loufman


I love photography because it allows me to bring out the best results in each person. It’s magical to me when they see how wonderful they truly are.

Yet, despite my best efforts to coach clients into a positive mindset to get natural expressions, a session has been derailed by an insecure mindset or a rogue email or text message.

A photoshoot is just as much about the mind as the body, and I want to help you prepare your mind for a good outcome.


#1 UNDERSTAND WE’RE TEAMMATES

If I had a dime for every person who said, “I hate getting my photos taken” or “I don’t photograph well,” I’d be retired before 50.?Although I recognize many clients have had negative experiences with other photographers, I will argue that these declarative statements shut down a perfectly good shoot before it starts.

My dear client, don’t you know we’re teammates?

The pressure is equally on me to perform. However, despite the proper outfit and hair, a poor mindset derails a shoot before step on set. You’re mentally ascribing energy to a bad performance before you shine in the spotlight.?

Your photography session is a team performance, so let’s think like athletes and shift our minds into a positive performance.


#2 COMBAT WORST-CASE SCENARIO THINKING

When we enter a new, unknown situation, our primal brains scream at us to return to safety. Because there’s no saber-toothed tiger in my studio, I assure you that worst-case-scenario thinking will only create a poor mindset.

Here’s an exercise I use when I’m spiraling:

  1. What is my core belief of what will happen in this scenario?
  2. What’s the worst-case, epic proportion, apocalyptic scenario you expect from your shoot??What’s the chance (assign a %) that your expected terrible outcome will happen??It won’t be a 100% probability, I can promise you.
  3. What’s the best-case, most fantastic result, a can’t-believe-your-luck scenario that could happen with your shoot??What’s the chance (assign a %) it will happen?
  4. Based on your answers above, what’s the realistic outcome?


#3 ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS BEFORE YOUR PHOTOSHOOT

I mean it. Checking emails, text messages, news, and social media immediately before a shoot is an invitation for a mind-scramble. I once had a client who was ready to go, happy, and smiling. He received a nastygram email from a client just minutes before stepping on set, and it led to a distracted, frustrating photo session.?

Because I have a strict start/stop time, my clients need to be in their healthiest mindset possible. We STRONGLY recommend not checking your phone outside GPS navigation at least 30 minutes before your session. I’ve even had clients check their phones on set during a session and it shifted the mood.

Hard boundary, friends: don’t do it.?


#4 USE A MINDSET TRANSFORMATION TOOL TO CALM YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

What if you could order the way your session should go, the way you’d order takeout from your favorite restaurant?

A few days or a few hours before your session, consider completing an Order Form to the Universe by hand.

I do this exercise before big meetings or situations where I knew my nervous system would hijack an otherwise successful outcome.

It's a surprisingly simple 5- to 10-minute exercise with a long-term payoff.


#5 PREPARE WELL

I’ll let you in on a secret: We know when a client has not prepared well for their photography session. There’s a frantic, frenetic energy that extends the session unnecessarily, and it can result in overtime fees.?

With that in mind, a healthy mindset starts by reading and actually doing the preparation tips before your session. It's non-negotiable (like, in your contract). These resources ensure a great experience and take as much of the guesswork off you as possible.

More importantly, feeling like you have all the details in place (including directions!) before arriving will make you more confident and less stressed.

Have questions about your session? Feel free to contact us!

Gail Kerzner

Making writer’s dreams come true by taking them from concept to book-in-hand/Writing Coach/Publisher/Copyeditor

1 年

I love all these tips.

Stacey L. Vaselaney

President at SLV Public Relations, LLC

1 年

Love this - very helpful Michelle!

Sue Stabe

Brand Strategy & Development | Fractional CMO | Customer Journeys | Marketing Strategy | Ideation/Brainstorming

1 年

This is excellent. I’m typically so focused on my appearance that I stress myself out. This different view is really helpful.

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