What’s holding you back? : Self Image
What’s holding you back from having your portraits taken?
I asked this question recently on my Facebook page and do you know what the number one answer was? Weight/Looks – it was answered with 83% of the votes!
I hear this often, from many women, when I ask them what has kept them from having portraits of themselves. If this is you, I can tell you, right now, YOU ARE NOT ALONE in that feeling. And do you want to know what else? I CAN RELATE.
I get it. Trust me. 100%. I have been there. I have bumps, lumps, insecurities just like many people do, but I don’t let all those things stop me from taking portraits. I have clients, who have told me during their consultations that they in fact have insecurities too, and I have been honored to photograph every single one of them and show them how truly amazing they are.
Since this is a deeply personal feeling, I wanted to share my personal story with you.
For many years, I hid from the camera. I didn’t want to be seen. I didn’t want my 100+ pounds of excess weight to be seen. I didn’t want my unkept hair to been. I didn’t want my pimples to be seen. I just didn’t want to be seen. I felt so insecure. I felt every single photo was just a reminder to me that I wasn’t beautiful. I didn’t like them, I didn’t love them, I wanted to hide. Anytime someone would yell “GROUP PHOTO!” guess who was trying to hide behind others? Yours truly. And even when selfies started to become popular, I didn’t want to be seen on those. I just wasn’t loving myself.
In this top photo, I was just about to have weight loss surgery, a surgery that was going to change my life. I wanted to have some before photos to see my journey. These were them. I cut my face off. At that time, I didn’t feel beautiful. Not just about my body. In general, I was lacking self love. But I still wanted to have a record of some type.
In the second row, I was about 10 months or so out of surgery. I took these images as a personal story, of my self. Physically, I had radically changed. I was no longer on loads of blood pressure meds, which was great but I was still embracing all of the change. That even though I had “physically” lost the weight, that I still struggled with my body image. This is me, in front of a mirror. Looking at me. Looking at my new body. Looking at who I am now. Comparing to others. And really getting a huge dose of the saying – “Comparison Is the Thief of Joy” – Theodore Roosevelt
The last row. This was it. This was when I said, YOU KNOW WHAT? Even though I may not FEEL “perfect”, I AM PERFECT and I AM FREAKING FABULOUS and I captured it. In self portraits. I grabbed a fabulous dress, I put it on, and I posed myself just like I pose my clients. I guide all of my clients into poses that show their best selves! I want my clients to see the beautiful person that I see right in front me when I am working with them.
So here’s the thing. In every single row, I always felt like “I wish I could just lose a little more weight” or “Oh man, my hair is a mess” or “Argh – I wish _______”. I had an excuse. And NO, it is not because I was/am overweight.
Every single woman, every single shape, every single size IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND GORGEOUS.
The woman that I am now, still has lumps and bumps. The woman that I am now still has flappy arms. The woman that I am now, still has a belly. The woman that I am now still has a bit of a chin.
I have all these things – and maybe you have all of these – or maybe some of these.
Need proof? Here is me, right now, as I write this blog:
Even if you have ANY of these, you DESERVE portraits of yourself that you love.
What’s the difference between my last row of photos and right now? Well for one, this is me every single day. Hanging out in leggings. I am just hanging out. I am not styled in a gorgeous outfit. My hair isn’t done and my makeup is minimally done (I am a daily makeup wearer). Also, I am NOT posed. I am just standing there.
Here’s the thing:
Just through posing ALONE, I can:
– make you look slimmer
– reduce/remove double chin
– thin out your arms
and MAKE YOU LOOK AND FEEL FABULOUS!
I will pose you and guide you. I will chat with you about your concerns. I will address those the best that I can. Your hair and makeup will be professionally done. PLUS – I will style your photoshoot with dresses and other outfits that you adore and feel beautiful in.
Be transformed. Celebrate you.
Treat yourself to a makeover portrait experience. I want to show you the best portrait you’ve seen of yourself. You deserve it.
Contact me to schedule a consultation and let’s start planning the photoshoot of your dreams!
Such an inspiring post! I loved reading about your journey and how you came to see you’re beautiful just the way you are! Us women are definitely our own worst critics and it saddens me that it makes us shy away from the camera. Your photography is beautiful and I love your self portraits! I can’t wait to see more sessions from you!
I firmly believe that every body should be celebrated and photographs are so important to our memories! You’re inspiring me to take some more self-portraits – it’s been a while for me!
Wow, this is such an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing your personal story. We are definitely our worst critics, so I completely relate to feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera. With your great posing techniques, wonderful photos and honest/comforting personality, it would be so great to have a portrait session with you!
Wow you look fantastic. Good luck to you on your journey. Being healthy and fit is so important to us.
That is such a thoughtful topic and post! It is important for women (and men) to answer that question and work towards getting over our inhibitions.
You are amazing!! So talented for taking the self portraits and so brave to put yourself out there and share your personal journey. You are gorgeous and what you wrote really resonated with me and I’m sure many others. I wish I were closer to Pittsburgh; I’d love for you to be my Portrait Photographer!
You an incredible photographer and you give so much talent to those residing in Pittsburgh. You are an amazing Portrait Photographer and this rawness right here is inspiring.
Your work is beautiful. When we are gone our family will not fret on these things that disturb us. They will just be happy to have photos to remember the love that we gave them!