Hey there,
I have a little secret to share with you … I was always terrified of the camera. This is my story of how I overcame my fear of being photographed and how it changed the way I see myself. It's been a journey of self-discovery and growth, but I'm here to tell you that conquering that fear has made me more confident than ever. So, grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite drink), sit back, and let me spill the beans as they would say!
You know what? Every time I saw someone pull out a camera, I would either run or pretend that I was busy doing something and hide behind another person …. I know this sounds so ridiculous! And if I accidentally saw a photo of myself, oh boy, the self-criticism party would start. Does this sound familiar to You? I would instantly focus on what I perceived to be my flaws. This didn’t change until 7 years ago when I started my own jewelry business and realizing that I had to break free and overcome this fear that was holding me back from embracing my own beauty. And besides, people love visuals!
So, I made a decision one summer day and faced my fear head-on. I took a moment to dig deep and figure out why I was so afraid of being photographed. Turns out, it all boiled down to a lack of self-acceptance on my part. I needed to shift my focus from seeking validation based on looks to appreciating my inner qualities. That was the first step towards building my confidence. Guess what I did next … I hired my daughter’s best friend who is a photographer and met her and my daughter in Calgary for the photoshoot for my business. I was so nervous on this … it was a huge milestone for me to overcome. But the best part was that I got to do this with my daughter! Something I will cherish forever.
For anyone that knows me, I never take small steps. I just jump right in and allow the moment to just be. Instead of nitpicking every flaw, I started finding something positive in each picture. I reminded myself that these photos were capturing my experiences and emotions, not just my appearance. It wasn't easy at first, but I was determined to change my mindset. If you are wondering if this is right for you … just think “this is a great way to capture your journey” and “you will have memories to cherish” as you look back. And besides, we all need to do things that bring us soul level joy, don’t you agree! What is it that they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
And you know what I discovered along the way? Imperfections are what make each of us unique and beautiful. The best part for me with stepping out of my comfort zone and doing these photoshoots is I know see myself very differently than what I originally thought. Maybe it is with becoming more confident in my own skin OR I now see myself for the strong, beautiful, confident women that I have become. Slowly but surely, that newfound confidence has started seeping into every aspect of my life. I embraced my true self, unapologetically. The fear of judgment no longer held me back from speaking my mind or taking on new challenges. I was ready to grab life by the horns, and you better believe the camera became a tool for capturing my growth and success instead of a source of fear. Now my photoshoots have become an annual tradition and something that I look forward to.
Overcoming my fear of being in pictures has been a game-changer. It's taught me to accept myself, flaws and all, and to recognize my own worth. Confidence started radiating from within me, impacting every part of my life. So, embrace your journey and let that camera capture your story. Remember, you are uniquely beautiful, and your confidence is a force to be reckoned with. Own it, my friend! If you have never done a photoshoot before, then I would day “what are you waiting for”. This is an investment in YOU!
With love,
Tammy