I'm nervous as hell... tell me to calm down

[gmoney]

Have a photo shoot today, and I'm seriously jittery, even though it should be a fun day in the country. Another photographer and I are driving out to a farm with a couple of models to shoot in the woods and around the farm and stuff.

Reasons I'm nervous:
1) it's halfway across the state in the middle of nowhere, and I'm not sure what to bring... I know I'll forget something
2) I can't decide how to pack my gear
3) I've done hardly any hiking or anything and am not known for my grace, so I'm afraid I'll do something stupid in the woods
3a) I'm worried one of the models will do something stupid in the woods, like get poison ivy or something
4) We were supposed to have three models, but one cancelled at the last minute, which complicates matters for reasons I won't go into
5) One of the models is one I've wanted to do nudes with forever, and she's finally consented, and I don't want to mess up
6) The other photographer is an old hand at these types of shoots, and I don't want to look bad or "city boy" next to him
7) Dread the inevitable/eventual comparison of his shots to mine
8) Potential for sunburn/insect devouration
9) Random/usual levels of anxiety that go along with shoots
10) The unknown

Rationally, it should be a great day! Fulfillment of a longtime goal, beautiful weather forecast, pursuing a favorite pasttime with two lovely models, and a guy who's been very supportive of my photography. I mean, if these are the worst problems I have right now, I'm doing pretty damn well.

So why would I rather just crawl back in bed? HELP!

[Haole Girl]

1. OMG!

I would love to have your day of work instead of mine today... trade ya!! j/k

You do know what poison ivy looks like, right?

Just in case you don't, here's a pic:



Don't be afraid to fall when hiking. I'm not very graceful, but when I manage to stop being afraid about falling I never do-- I know it sounds stupid, but just don't think about falling!

Enjoy your day! I really do envy you... really!!

:hi:

[gmoney]

2. It's totally irrational, I know...

a form of stage fright, I guess... I'll be OK once I actually GET there

Really, all I need is a model and one camera and plenty of memory cards... everything else is gravy

[Haole Girl]

9. Of course it's not irrational

But it would really be a shame if your fear stopped you from doing what you enjoy...
and, I know about how it is... really I do! :hug:

My youngest sister, who is basically fearless, told me this about a trip I was taking once:
"Look at it as one whole trip... try not to break it down into little pieces."
That may sound like trite advice, but it's helped me many times in the past 15 years.

Enjoy your day!! :hi:

[Maestro]

20. Ugh, poison ivy is my enemy!

I hate the stuff and its all over Texas! I can't tell how many times I opted not to get a closer pic of an animal because I was afraid of this stuff.

[Haole Girl]

24. Would you believe I am immune to it!

Once, when I was camping, most of the girls in my girl scout troop got it. Another time, later in life, I sat down right in the middle of it before realizing it! It's one less problem I have to worry about I guess! ;-) :hi:

[Maestro]

25. You are so lucky.

I have extremely allergic to it. My doctor doesn't even think about what treatment to give me. It is always a cortisone shot and the prednisone for about a week. I have been highly allergic since I was a small child. The worst case I ever had was when I was in 8th grade, full body including inside the mouth rash. Ugh!

[Haole Girl]

28. Inside your mouth?!

Ouch!

:scared:

[Nikia]

3. Be sure to bring sunscreen and bug repellent with you

That should deal with worry 9. I have anxiety problems too. The best thing to do is to be prepared, but have the "just do it" mindset.

[cobalt1999]

4. Let me see if I have I have this right?

You get to spend the day in the country with beautiful women (potentially naked) and you get to take pictures of the whole thing. The only thing I would be nervous about would be accidentally dying and missing out on it all.

Good god, get some perspective (pun intended). :)

[gmoney]

6. Nice problem to have, I know...

Maybe I'm so used to being stressed and worried, I don't recognize excitement and anticipation when I experience it.

Wish I could unplug that part of my brain for the next few hours.

[In_The_Wind]

5. Get a grip on yourself!

You'll have a wonderful day if you just relax a bit and do what comes naturally instead of worrying about the outcome. I've seen the photography you've posted on DU and you are a natural.

[gmoney]

7. Thanks...

I should be OK once I get there and everyone's naked. :)

[In_The_Wind]

11. everyone's naked?

Are you sure you'll be taking pictures?




just kiddin'
They'll be nekkid, not you. :evilgrin: Right?

[gmoney]

15. everyone is much better off with me clothed

although I'll probably sweat through 5 or 6 shirts during the course of the day, so there may be some transitional toplessness on my part.

[lost-in-nj]

8. You will be fine

geesh just look at your other work....

how do you know the models won't fall while hiking..???
then you would get to help them up!!

take a few deep breaths..... think practical in your packing... (batteries, lots and lots of batteries)
and some B&W film and camera...... at least one roll.....

good luck and have fun!!!!

lost


:hi: :hi:

[zanne]

10. Words of wisdom from James Taylor

On the subject of trying something new: "You're SUPPOSED to make mistakes"!

[gmoney]

14. Oh, it's not so new...

I've not done much outdoor work though, so that's new... the other photographer basically specializes in it, so I'm hoping to learn a few things from him through the course of the day. Although he does seem determined to take my tenderfoot butt into the rough more than I'm comfortable with.

[zanne]

16. Making mistakes is the most effective way to learn. nt

[SoCalDem]

12. re #5.. Just don't kill her and bury her in a shallow grave..okay?

That's what happens in California when a young woman goes into the country to be photographed :scared::)

[gmoney]

18. that's so overhyped

that case that was in the news recently was actually like 20 years old...

But I'll do my best to resist the urge should it arise.

[Kali]

13. those seem like pretty good reasons to be nervous

:rofl:


(Sorry - seriously though, I find the more I get worked up about some event, the better it eventually goes - it's when I think things will be a piece of cake that all the screw-ups and disasters happen)

[gmoney]

17. OK, I'm off... wish me luck!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

If it was just me with one model, I wouldn't be so nervous, but there will be another photographer, his assistant, and two models, and this is sort of "my party" so I feel responsible if anything goes wrong for anyone. Luckily, I think everyone else is much more easygoing than I am. :)

[lost-in-nj]

19. ....

Good luck
Report back when you are home.....

:hug: :hug:

lost

[cobalt1999]

21. Luck!?!

You're going into the woods to take pictures of beautiful naked women and you want MORE luck? You're already lucky!

Have fun you lucky bastard! :hi:

[Maestro]

22. Calm down!

If what I have seen of your photos is any indication, you'll do fine. Bring insect repellant for you and your poor nude model sitting in the grass. ;) Don't worry about the cancellation. You can't control that. Work with what you have. Bring only the lenses that you absolutely need, a close-up portrait lens, perhaps a wide-angle lens. Have fun.

[mitchum]

23. "I'm worried one of the models will do something stupid..."

count on it :)

[SPKrazy]

26. Just be in the moment and focus on the models and your shots

let the rest take care of itself

:yourock:

[camero]

27. Nah

I'll just offer ya a beer. That ought to calm you down.

[XemaSab]

29. Good luck!

:hi:

[gmoney]

30. Back from the road trip...

The validated concerns from the original post are: 3-ish, 6, 7, 9, and to a large extent 10

I wrote out a detailed description/rant, but I think I'll save it for someplace less public.

But in summary, the lessons learned are to "go your own way" and "assume nothing." Honestly, I'm not sure I shot anything worth showing anyone, and even if I do, its going to feel suspect in my mind. Grr...

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

Fortunately, I'll get another chance with the out of town model tomorrow, on somewhat more familiar territory. I hope that goes better.