Can I tell you what I really, really hate?
- Icy roads
- Bitter cold
- Deadly diseases
- Genocide
- Having my picture taken
And that list is not in order. If I could get away with saying I hate having my picture taken more than I hate civil war, I would probably try it…but I’m not saying that so don’t email me.
I don’t know when it started, but I have been running from cameras for as long as I can remember. And I have to say that every time I DON’T run, I regret it. I truly do not photograph well. Add into the mix the fact that it seems sort of humble to not want your picture taken and I felt pretty justified in my avoidance tactics. However, a few months ago, I read an excellent blog post by a woman whose parents died suddenly and she so deeply regretted that she had very few photos of her and her precious family members. It struck a cord with me, but I still didn’t change my behavior much. Enter February and some life-changing events of our own, and I am working very hard to get over this dumb phobia.
As you know if you follow this little blog much, my daughter Tess, is our family photographer. She’s gifted and growing in in skill and perspective. Also, I love her and feel totally comfortable with her. SO…when I found myself needing new promo photos, I offered her a little cash in exchange for making me look good.
We got up early one morning last week and went to our favorite coffee shop for inspiration and liquid courage and then she started snapping photo after photo. All told, nearly THREE HUNDRED photos. Care to wager a guess as to how many winners we found in that group?
Ten.
Yep. Ten acceptable pictures and 290 unacceptable – really, truly, amazingly unacceptable – pictures. Here’s one we kept:
You know, I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t like posing or smiling and I certainly didn’t like looking at them afterwards. But I’m glad I did it. I’m glad my kids will add these to the evidence that I existed.
Now, how about you? Do you like or loathe the camera lens? Have you conquered your photophobia? Have any tips you want to share?
Pictures really are worth a whole lotta words,
Bo
I usually HATE getting my picture taken… and have recently realized I have SO many of Laila (of course) and of Laila and Jesse… but VERY few of Laila and I. Especially when she was very tiny 🙁 So, here is to getting over the fear with you! Because I treasure the pictures I have with my Mommy, I hope someday Laila will treasure the ones of us too! 🙂
You must have destroyed all the bad pictures, because I have never seen a bad picture of you. Not even at Disney World.
Oh goodness, you are Beautiful! That smile is quirky and charming and perfect. Well captured Tess! Love! <3<3
Great picture! I’m a bit jealous…I finally had a portrait made…paid too much…and hate it. Even my kids think it looks weird…haha! I think the photographer took like 20 shots…3 poses…good luck w/that! Having your daughter photo you and 300 shots now that’s the way to do it.
Gorgeous photo of you, Bo!
My problem with being snapped at by a camera was the fact that in my College years, perhaps the camera didn’t add 10 lbs but added 10 inches to my bangs! oh, ok, maybe it wasn’t the camera’s fault. thank God for a zoom lense.
Now my bangs have graciously — and safely — blended in with the rest of my hair, and the ozone layer and the camera breathe sighs of relief.
i, too, try to master the photophobia, realizing why a person wants to take my pic. And i also push myself to get on the other side of the lense sometimes and pose WITH my kids, because i’m realizing their childhood is much like my bangs … sticky, crazy, time consuming — but also, a passing part of my life.
Cheers to your new photo, Bo! Can’t wait to use it in our flyers and announcements next spring! =) YOU ROCK!
Hey now.. I only took about a hundred… So that makes it better, right? 🙂
It’s always hardest to take pics of yourself, you don’t want to feel like you are the star. But, now that you have conquered taking a picture of yourself……it’s a must to get some all important family photos!!
BTW…….gorgeous pic of you!! I may have to enlist Tess to take Senior Pics of Brenden in a few years…….if she is still around!! 🙂
Beautiful, you are!
http://news.yahoo.com/researchers-theyve-found-common-cause-types-als-180606872.html
This article was on yahoo tonight. Maybe you’ve seen it
That’s a GORGEOUS photo of you! Great job, Tess!
I feel you photophobia, Bo. I think that’s part of the reason I turned to photography – so I’d be behind the camera instead of in front of it. Especially in my middle college years, there are very few pictures of me, and the ones that exist aren’t pretty. Matt commented that I used to make a weird, uncomfortable looking smile in pictures – when I asked what pictures he was talking about, sure enough, it was those college pictures. I laughed & said that I felt uncomfortable. I fought to get over the phobia while living in Bend, feeling like a walking contradiction (believing in the power of photography, but loathing being photographed).
I got over it by: A) loving myself better, B) having great fashionable friends who helped me become more fashionable & confident, C) thinking of something truly wonderful, instead of just “smiling” and (most important) D) really using that lovely delete button that digital cameras have & not stopping until I had one that I approved of 🙂
Kind of like listening to your own voice on a recording. That couldn’t be what I sound like!
BEAUTIFUL! picture your daughter is also very good the lighting is great.
and if a picture is worth a 1,000 words then your words are worth a 1,000 pictures you are so amazing at writing and i think your family and grandchildren (along with all of us) get to read and enjoy and learn from your words! thank you!! that is a gift of a legacy
You are seriously beautiful Bo…inside and out. Tesser is super talented to be sure but the subject is simply stunning. I adore you.
You are MORE beautiful than any photo could ever capture!!! Your heart and soul is beautiful from what I see.