We have this dichotomy of constantly wanting to be seen and yet loath the image of ourselves in photographs. What if being seen as your truest self was how we lived every day? That side of us wants to be seen.
There are people who live fake lives, just following what others are doing or wanting. It’s an escape from knowing ourselves. An escape into someone else’s life so we don’t have to face ourselves. They want to be seen.
We try to portray that same lifestyle, or image, as our own but it’s only how we think we should be seen. Not how we actually should be seen and what we are actually craving. I saw ‘we’ because I too fall victim to this. This post is just as much for me as it is for you.
I have worked with many people who HATE images of themselves, or so they say. That is a strong word but I have heard that more than I can count. It usually turns out they don’t like a certain part of their body or face. I also used to be one of those people, and still fall down that hole. The self-judgment can be incredibly strong. However, when we are living our art, our passions, and purpose, our inner artist takes over. And that is one of our truest versions of ourselves.
That version of self that you embody, and what we strive to bring forth in photographs is a side that many don’t show the world, that hides it away because it is not what others are doing. However, I think this is THE MOST powerful version of self that we can put out into the world.
What’s stopping us from living that life? Comparison.
Our own thoughts and beliefs of ourselves that are built around what others think of us, or more accurately what we think others think of us.
Finding our art, our purpose, and drive to show up as our honest version of ourselves should be everyone’s intention. That need to be seen, as we are, now, in our art, as we truly are doesn’t come from external validation. The outside voices influence our internal voice. The deep work of finding ourselves is hard but probably the most valuable thing we can do.
Live in your art and you will find yourself, your beliefs, and what you value. For me, it has been a struggle to figure out what I am here for. As a photographer in my core I am here for others, for all people, to show them their inner artist, creative, maker, mover, and doer. It is time I live more in that space.
