I don't really like to talk about being nervous.
[...]
But I get nervous a lot as a photographer. I'm an ENFJ-ish type, so I think a WHOLE LOT about other people and their feelings and their reactions and blah blah blah and not so much about myself, which is another reason why I don't like to talk about how nervous I can get walking into a photo shoot.
I get really nervous.
I wonder, gee, will I connect with these people? Will I be able to bring about something really truthful, authentic, special? Will I be skilled enough to capture it, even if I do see it happening? WHAT IF MY SHUTTER DOESN'T WORK AND OMG IS THAT DIRECT SUNLIGHT UGH WHAT WILL I DO EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
I have to tell myself to stop thinking a lot. It usually works, but even more so, I say to myself: if you are panicking, there is no way you will be able to connect to anyone else because you're not connected to yourself. I stand up a little straighter, compulsively take a few extra test shots and then:
I take some pictures.
*that's good advice from Douglas Adams