How did you prep yourself for your first paid photography gig?

Not this weekend, but the following weekend I have my first paid photography gig.  It's not a huge job, I'm getting paid $275 to take holiday photos of a local day care here in San Diego.  I went the Craigslist route, that is how they found me.  I'm just wondering how did others prep themselves for their first job?  I have these on and off anxiety attacks and I'm sure at the end of the day, I'll be OK.  But if I can get some tips from you all, that would be so appreciated.  

Brandon

Scout the location, scout the location, and bring spares of everything

 I'm guessing when you say scout the location, are you just referring to how the light is at where I'm going to be doing the gig? 


Thanks for the clarification! 

I like the Nike approach to things.  Just do it.  

When I was taking pictures for a local minor pro hockey team for their marketing dept. one of the first things I got to do was go out on the ice pregame for a ceremonial puck drop; it was a former MLB player and well known Hall of Famer and I was beyond excited. But I never had any doubt that I could do it; I knew what to do and how to do it. 

If you're having off and on anxiety attacks that might be trying to tell you something. I think there's often a certain amount of that nervous excitement but you need to have the confidence to know how to do any job that you take on; or maybe you're trying to do something you're not yet ready to do.

My full time career experience (with photography being a sideline) has been in early intervention. I've done visits to see kids at day cares, it could depend on the kids' ages and stages what reaction you might get - some may be apprehensive and others may be climbing all over you! lol I think day cares can often have visitors/observers so if a staff person is escorting you around the kids may not be all that concerned about your presence and go on with their play and activities.

If you haven't already I'd be finding out specifically what they want pictures of - posed kids with a Christmas tree or Santa? the holiday decorations? or kids playing and interacting more naturally?

The existing light could depend on the facility - there could be large windows with sunlight coming in or could be large rooms with dark corners - if so I'd try to avoid those and see where it looks like you'll be getting the best existing light. Maybe there would be some outdoor play but that may not be an option for holiday photos. I'd be prepared for a variety of lighting conditions that you might be working in. Maybe ask if you can stop in and do a few test shots and schedule an appropriate time to do that.

I'd expect that they already have photo releases/permission forms signed for publicity purposes, so you might want to check and see if there are kids who aren't to be included in publicity photos. I found that sometimes if parent declined to sign a publicity release it might be due to adoption or custody issues or it could just be the family's choice to protect their child's privacy. 

Get to where you can operate your camera in the dark. Any setting, any adjustment should come naturally. Other than that, a stiff shot of Vodka. ....
Prep? My first gig was dropped in my lap, a wedding where the paid photographer was involved in an accident en route and subsequently arrested for DUI. The bride's father knew I "took a few pictures" and asked me to take over....alone....with an old Nikkormat ftn, no lights, two lenses and no film. Three guys ran around buying every roll they could find, some slide amd and some negative film. What a day. It actually came out pretty good as I knew my limitations and shot accordingly. Usually people will be cooperative if you ask in a decent way, no? 
 Stop worrying and enjoy your shoot!

Jerrid wrote: I like the Nike approach to things.  Just do it.  

Same here, it's the just get out there and go for it attitude.