Lesson Learned! You Can Never Be Too Prepared on Set

As told by nail artist and blogger Chelsea King

About a month into my career as a freelance nail artist, I was called to my first photo shoot. I’d just received my license, so I felt prepared—but as the day went on, I realized I really wasn’t prepared at all for what would happen.

I was hired to work on a test shoot for an editorial story and completed my first look—the nails went over really well with the client. How easy!, I thought (maybe a little too confidently). Next, the shoot called for something metallic, and I whipped out nail foils. Two for two. For the third look, the photographer wanted long, red nails. I was wondering when they might start to challenge me. Turns out I spoke too soon.

On shoots, when longer nails are requested, you just add plastic press-ons with adhesive tabs and paint over them, since there’s not enough time to add acrylic or gel extensions (and usually the models want something more temporary). Though I was still in the process of building my kit, I always bring press-ons and adhesives, so I didn’t think much of it. We only had about 30 minutes to get the model ready to shoot, so I hustled over to my bag to pull out everything I’d need and there were no press-ons or adhesive to be found, anywhere. I started to silently freak out. I didn’t want the photographer or hair and makeup artists to notice, because I wanted to appear professional—like I’ve been doing this forever.

After taking one last look through my bag, I randomly stumbled on these crazy long stiletto press-ons that I keep just in case someone wants something out-there and avant garde for a shoot. I spent forever filing down them down into a natural-looking oval shape, all while hiding myself from the client. I was getting quite the arm workout! Luckily, I was able to get them looking natural after a bit, and therefore fixed the problem before anyone noticed. I could’ve been mortified!

Now I always come totally prepared. The night before a job, I check my kit  to make sure I have everything I need, or might need. I’ve also learned to relax. When I first started out, I would get so nervous, but that would only make things worse. Now if something goes wrong, I calmly try to find the best solution possible and just get it done—or I let the client know right away so we can find a way to solve the problem together.

It’s really important to learn to be professional in every situation. Problems are unavoidable, but if you can work around them quickly and come up with a solution on your feet, that’s the true definition of being prepared.