She was even more gorgeous in person.

If you work in the arts, or in the world of sports, there’s always the chance that you’ll work with a celebrity.   I was lucky enough to have such an opportunity recently, and although I wish I could share the photos and all the tiny details of the shoot, the terms of my contract prevent me from doing so. 

So, instead, I’d figured I’d just give some tips on what’s it like to work with a celebrity.

The one thing that I’ve always carried with me is that celebs are human too.  They’re not an object of worship.  Many of them are on the road all the time, and are tired from traveling constantly.  They’re away from friends, family, and the comforts of home.   This is especially true when you think of all the “weird” items seen on riders of music artists. 

When you think about some of things you have when you’re at home, asking for a fridge stocked with Red Bull doesn’t seem so ridiculous.  Thankfully, I only needed to provide champagne.

Mostly, I just feel lucky that I’m getting a bit of their precious time and a rare glimpse into their life.  I got to see a side that most other people don’t get to see.

Any good shoot requires the right balance of curiosity and sensitivity.  I avoided gushing about her career, and focused on her like I would any other client that I’ve never worked with before.  It’s all about trust because ultimately, my client will choose how much of herself she chooses to reveal to me.

I broke the ice by talking with her like I'd talk about anyone visiting the area.  I asked how long she was staying for, or if she'd eaten at any good restaurants.   

I also tried not to be overly familiar with her; in other words, I didn’t call her by her first name.  I addressed her as Ms. Celebrity until she asked me to address her by her first name.   The point is, I did’t want to come across like a rabid fan.

Was I scared sh*tless?  Yes, but if something doesn’t scare you, it’s probably not worth doing anyway.   I allayed that fear by telling myself that I was chosen because I’m excellent at what I do, and then I created some kick-ass portraits.  

Yeah, I’m bummed that I can’t share them with you, but any good portrait deserves more than five minutes of Facebook fame.