How everyone can get nice pictures of themself
Thursday, November 06, 2014I've been blogging about my outfits for almost four years now. Things have changed a great deal over this time; I no longer take indoor shots as the light is all wrong and it's no fun at all for starters. The pictures I do get are taken whilst out and about at the weekends, usually at a pretty countryside location if at all possible although only because we're already there spending time together.
I used to read a lot of fashion bloggers' blogs and felt like they were a million miles away from me, with such natural beauty, gorgeous clothes and stunning photography. These days I read posts from my favourite bloggers; most of whom I classify as friends.
The point I am oh-so-slowly coming round to making is that I understand about how the right light, make up, clothes and photography skills can elevate a scenario into a 'moment' captured in time. When we're out Chris can take anything from a dozen to about 50 shots of me and while most are embarrassing and make me want to hide my face in my hands I am over the moon when I find one or two that hit the mark. The whole process has not exactly lifted my spirits, nor knocked anyone down in my estimations, more just levelled off the playing field; anyone can get some pictures of themselves they can be proud of.
Yesterday, I read a great post on Words That Can Only Be Your Own in which Janet talks about how taking outfit pictures has helped her. I can absolutely echo her sentiment; seeing photographs of yourself wearing your entire wardrobe give you a much better idea about how you actually look than standing in front of a mirror ever can. I'd go so far as saying that I've become de-sensitised about myself which has absolutely been one less thing to fret about. Not long ago I wrote about when I stopped caring what other people thought which has no doubt been brought about by looking at endless pictures of myself.
Blogging has been a kind of therapy for me – taking the edge off my anxiety and awkwardness about myself. My advice? Go take some pictures of yourself.
Sophie
8 comments
I still feel anxious and awkward about pictures taken of myself, either by myself or by other people. I don't know that that's something which will ever change. I don't feel comfortable taking a tripod and camera out with me because most of my IRL friends don't know about my blog so it would be hard to explain, and M hates the idea of blogging and refuses to take photos for me.
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of that top, so punchy and just perfect for autumn! x
ReplyDeleteHeroine In Heels
Great post - I still find it awkward taking outfit photos! You look great! x
ReplyDeleteI think I need to take more photos and just discard the bad ones. I hate the camera.
ReplyDeleteLizzie's Daily Blog
I can echo what you say. I feel darn right ugly when I stand in front of the mirror on a winter's morning but when I see a nice blog shot, it makes me feel much better about myself! And yes, I like thinking about my wardrobe and different combinations. Yes, I really don't like indoor shots anymore and try to take them only when i reaaaaaaaaaaaally want to document an outfit and school means I cannot get near daylight!x
ReplyDeleteIt took me so long to get the confidence to go and take outfit pictures outside. I still feel super self conscious, but when I see a picture of me looking happy and confident, it makes it all worth it. Now I take a lot of my outfit pictures outside and it really has helped me with all my confidence issues.
ReplyDeleteGems x
Fashion, Well Done
I hate the winter as I never get chance to take photos outside but I agree that blogging has removed a lot of my insecurities, I look back at old posts and cringe at my awkwardness!
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx
I love this. I haven't quite managed to get to the point where I enjoy having my photograph taken outside - I'm much happier in my back yard, where no one can see me except T - but that fact that I'll have my photo taken AT ALL is a miracle. I'd agree - the secret is to just take loads of pictures and get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear your comments xx