Honestly, although I'd wanted a snake since I was as young as 12years old, I was always a little leery of them. As I got older I would hold snakes at pet expos and belonging to friends. Eventually, I got comfortable holding them. Now, I have no fear of being bit or picking mine up directly out of their enclosures. When I got my first bp, I used a snake hook to pick it up out of the tank and sat down while holding it (in case I freaked and it fell). The snake became more relaxed with me, and as I got to know its body language and attitude, it's become as easy as holding a puppy. Lol
...tiny lizards still freak me out...they just jump and move too quickly for my comfort.