{"id":138,"date":"2008-09-04T23:20:12","date_gmt":"2008-09-05T04:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harrynowell.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/04\/123-butterflies-and-photo-performance\/"},"modified":"2022-05-29T08:21:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-29T13:21:10","slug":"123-butterflies-and-photo-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.harrynowell.com\/blog\/2008\/09\/04\/123-butterflies-and-photo-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"#123 Butterflies and photo performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n

Butterflies and photos<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am talking about the butterflies in your stomach! Some call it stress, performance anxiety<\/strong>, stage fright or nerves.<\/p>\n

Stress on the job is a good thing<\/strong><\/em> – the correct amount keeps you sharp and makes you perform behind the camera. Too many butterflies will suffocate your ability to perform. There is a middle ground – you want to manage your level of stress so that you succeed!<\/p>\n

Early on in my photography career stress swarmed me<\/strong> days before a big assignment. I would have bad dreams. I couldn’t sleep. I wouldn’t allow myself to go for a run, play soccer – good stress relievers! – for fear of injuring myself just before a job. It became overwhelming!<\/p>\n

I remember talking to Dave Andrews<\/a> – printer and musician – about performance anxiety<\/strong>. He referred me to Kenny Werner<\/a> – jazz pianist and author of “Effortless Mastery<\/a>.” His book is written for musicians but is applicable to anyone needing to perform. It explores the ideas of controlling the butterflies<\/strong> and allowing yourself to excel. How does Harry cope with stress and performance anxiety?<\/p>\n