What to do when you hate your photos
Have you ever had a photo taken of you, you felt freakin' amazing, and then you saw the picture and your gut sank?
Yea, you're not the only one.
Here's the thing:
We live in a society that tells women we need to constantly groom ourselves to show our very best angles, curves, sides and fit inside a specific standard of beauty in order to deserve existence (and acknowledgement, respect, dignity, visibility, success, authority, trust).
What is more vulnerable than to stand in front of a camera and allow all your true essence to be captured without the ability to control the outcome?
My dear friend + business coach Jasmine Ivy posed me with this & it is exactly what I know to be true.
What is more vulnerable than to stand in front of a camera to be photographed, feeling raw and exposed and maybe judged and definitely awkward and absolutely uncomfortable in your own body… and then to see those images and hear all the various ways society tells you: "Yea, You don't fit into the specific beauty standard." Proving all those fears true.
I'm here to tell you these experiences may (likely) bubble up for you when you receive your gallery of images. This happens for me nearly every single photoshoot I participate in, now less than before, but that’s because I’ve spent years working through the stuff.
I'm here to remind you your beauty is the standard, because you are beautiful just as you are.
I promise. I see it. I believe it. I hold it as truth inside the core of me, & will continue holding that truth for you until you can also hold it.
If this happens for you —the seeing of the photos and the feeling you are not xyz enough— I want you to do 2 things:
1. Close the gallery; take a day or two or three to step away and process those things coming up.
Ask yourself, sit with, and explore:
What is that voice saying about me?
Can I remember the first place I heard or internalized this about myself?
Would I say or think these things about any other person?
If a friend said these things about themself, pointed these "flaws" out to me about themselves, how would I respond to them?
If I post an image where I don't think I fit the beauty standard, what is the worst that can happen? What is the best that can happen?
What does it say about me if I choose to slink back from my calling, because I don’t (yet) feel confident in the way I look?
Is what I have to offer this community and the world more important than the made-up-beauty standard?
2. Let me know.
Yes! Seriously. Just hit comment or send an email through the contact form and let me know.
If I am your photographer + you’re feeling these t things…you won't hurt my feelings; I know I'm good at my job. I know this has to do with your stuff, not my work. And there’s zero shame in that — remember? I have these moments too, a lot.
I want to know what is coming up for you so I can (if you want) help you process your way to confidence to post + grow your business using your branding photos.
So much love to you.
You are beauty!
