If you’re about to do your first photoshoot, you’re probably feeling excited and a little nervous too.
That’s exactly how I felt going into mine. I had wanted to get into photography for a while, but actually doing it felt both exciting and intimidating.
After that session, I realized there were a few things I would do differently, so if you’re just starting out, here are three mistakes to avoid.
Mistake #1: Trusting Sunset Times Without Considering the Terrain
We met at 4:00pm at Piñon Valley Park and hiked up toward Ridgeline Trail, expecting to shoot until sunset.
What I didn’t realize (and what a lot of beginners don’t think about at first) is that in places like Colorado Springs, the sun can dip behind the mountains much earlier than your weather app says.
Instead of relying on sunset time alone, always account for the terrain. If you’re shooting in the mountains, plan to lose light earlier than expected and build in extra buffer time.
Pro tip: Arrive early and take a minute to observe where the sun is actually hitting, not just when it’s supposed to set.
Mistake #2: Underestimating How Much You’ll Be Managing at Once
Once we reached the top, I found myself juggling more than I anticipated. As an introvert, balancing conversation with creativity was already a challenge. On top of that, it was my first time shooting on a Canon mirrorless camera, and I couldn’t remember how to change my autofocus point.
At times it locked onto things I didn’t want, and I caught myself thinking, “Okay… I’ll make this work.”
What a lot of people don’t realize before their first shoot is how much you’re actually managing all at once. You’re not just taking photos, you’re directing, thinking ahead, adjusting settings, and trying to make your clients feel comfortable at the same time.
Instead of trying to figure everything out in the moment, spend time getting familiar with your camera beforehand. Practice changing key settings until it feels second nature, so when you’re in front of clients, you can stay present instead of scrambling.
Pro tip: Before your session, practice adjusting your focus point without looking at your camera. The more automatic it feels, the more confident you’ll come across.
Mistake #3: Not Being Prepared to Adapt to Light and Location
The lighting wasn’t easy either. Sunlight filtered through the trees in patches, leaving bright spots and shadows on their faces that I wasn’t loving. And because spots on the ridge were limited, I had to adapt quickly.
This is something that catches a lot of people off guard during their first shoot. You can plan a location, but you cannot control the light, and it will not always look how you expect.
Instead of trying to force a spot to work, focus on how the light is actually falling. Look for even light on your subject’s face, or adjust your angle so the shadows are less harsh. Sometimes moving just a few steps can completely change the photo.
Pro tip: When you arrive at a location, take a few minutes to walk around and look for consistent light before you start shooting. It will save you from constantly adjusting mid session.
What to Take With You Into Your First Photoshoot
Looking back, some of these mistakes feel obvious. Communicate expectations beforehand. Move with intention when the light is changing. Know your camera settings like the back of your hand. But in the moment, juggling all of it at once, posing, talking, watching the light, thinking creatively, is much harder than it seems.
If you feel a little overwhelmed during your first session, that’s normal. There’s a lot happening at once, and it takes time for everything to start feeling natural.
The goal isn’t to get everything perfect. It’s to learn something every time you shoot, and carry that into the next session.
Even with the challenges, I’m proud of what I captured, and I truly think they’re going to love their images. I also know I’ll keep improving, and that’s the best part of starting something new.
Every shoot teaches you something. And over time, those small lessons add up to confidence.
