more beautiful than you think

Although I’m a photographer now, I used to work in the field of CSR (the industry which holds companies to account on their social impact) so I tend to be fairly sceptical of companies’ social campaigns.   Just recently though, I have been really impressed with what Dove are doing to challenge women and girls’ perceptions of themselves.

Have you seen their Real Beauty Sketches on Youtube?  Worth checking out if you have a couple of minutes.  Basically, the film clip ends with this sketch artist revealing to these women that the way they described themselves to him generated an uglyish sketch whilst strangers describing those same women generated much more beautiful sketches – hence the tagline ‘you are more beautiful than you think’.

I’ve realised this is so important in my new field of photography.  Quite often I hear the following:

I would love a shoot but I’m feeling a bit fat right now”

or

I’ve been really stressed so I’m not looking at my best”

Don’t get me wrong, I totally get it.  I’m guilty of it too.  Dating online though requires a serious dose of self-love – something I’ll cover a lot in this blog.

Remember,

No point waiting until that mythical time when all the pieces of your life fall into place and you’re slim/pretty/rich whatever.  Life has a habit of slipping by.  Be bold and do it today.