“Why do you think you’re not pretty?”
This was the question asked of me from one of our long-time clients-turned-friend after I finally got the nerve to get professional photos done and posted several of them on Facebook.
More on answering that thought-provoking question in a moment but first, I wanted to share the reason why I FINALLY got the photos done.
Ever heard of the saying, “Do as I say and not as I do”? I was getting tired of saying that to clients when I saw their beach photo or a picture of their kids as a representation of their brand on social media.
How could I keep telling them to invest in some professional photos when I could barely get nerve to put up a photo taken of me at a party from eight years ago?
It was the only photo that I didn’t gag on when I saw it, so I used it. For a long time.
Last year I broke free from that old photo and had our videographer snap a few shots of me when we were doing shooting a video for a client.
I used that one for about a year.
Why did it take me so long? I guess I was waiting…
Waiting for some miracle to happen that I would suddenly be ok with seeing myself in photos.
You see, I hate seeing myself in photos. Period.
All I see are the nasty, bulging, ugly deficiencies. You know the kind I’m talking about.
But one day I came to my senses and realized that I’d never realistically get to that point of being free from those oh so many deficiencies, so made the decision to, someday soon, find a local photographer and get my professional photos done.
I also decided I would get my make-up done at the same time… I theorized that make-up can mask all kinds of nasty, bulging, ugly deficiencies along with the right lighting and at the right angle.
And lo and behold, in walks a wonderful make-up artist to my life, Judy LeBeau of Beauty by Judy who just happened to be partnering with a local photographer, Taneane Tweale Photography, whom I had already known for years.
They asked me to be their model for their promotional pieces for when they officially announced their joint venture.
Say what?
ME?
Be a model?
You are kidding right? Is this some kind of cruel joke?
Nope, they wanted me alright.
I agreed.
Big breath.
Why don’t I think I’m very pretty? Well, let me count the ways…
- I was bullied in school. I was called ugly on a regular basis, ignored, teased, taunted and all the other fun stuff that kids in elementary school think are good times.
- My brother was also a bully. His idea of fun was calling me “Sueeeeey” (as in calling a pig), calling me other choice, cruel names, and basically treating me as if I were a pest that needed to be squashed on a continual basis.
- My Mom, being the frugal gal that she was, invested in the $1 gallon jugs of cream rinse for hair. I don’t think my tangled, frizzy messed up hair benefited from that investment much.
- And don’t get me started about my horribly dry skin (“Porcupine” was another pet name) and railroad track braces!
Shall I go on? I think you got the picture.
I grew up quite convinced I was not pretty, not by a long shot.
I’m not sharing this to get your sympathy but just giving some insight as to why I loathe seeing myself in photos.
Or shall I say used to loathe.
That’s until I saw the photos that Taneane and Judy took of me.
They stunned me. Truly.
Not only that, but during the whole process, they made me feel pretty! We had so much fun too, it was a remarkable experience and one I will treasure for a long time.
So now I can finally say to DO what I DO and if you haven’t invested in getting professional photos done for your social media profiles, marketing pieces and website, then please believe me that if I can do it, so can you!
The right time is right now.
Don’t wait to lose those 10 (or whatever) pounds.
Don’t wait to grow out your hair only to cut it short again anyway.
Don’t wait for the sky to turn yellow and for pigs to fly.
Just do it.
You will be amazed at how good you will feel when you see the finished photos.
If you live in the Lower Mainland of BC, please do yourself a favour and call up Taneane and Judy and if not, find someone in your local area.
You can thank me afterwards.
To your success,
Susan

Author's Bio: 

Susan is a professional website developer with over ten years experience in the industry. With a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, concentration in Computer Information Systems, she is able to provide a unique and caring service to her clients not only as a website designer, but also an eBusiness Advisor; assisting individuals, businesses and organizations establish and brand product or service effectively on the World Wide Web. http://evisionmedia.ca