We All Want Our Truth to Be Seen and Heard
Photography allows me to connect with people, reveal who they really are, and learn more about them. It also allows the people who are being captured to see themselves in their truest form. On one of my most resent shoots with a new client, J., we did just that-connect , reveal, and learn. I am a huge believer that in every moment where we are fully present, there is something to be learned. As per usual this was a fun shoot and it inspired me to approach my creative process a bit differently for future shoots as well as other projects.
It’s always wonderful to watch the layers of my subject personality peel back when they are in front of the camera. I love that. It’s as if they trust the camera (as a vessel) and they trust the person controlling the camera to tell their story.
But this happens during our everyday interactions as well right?
Hm..interesting..
This makes me think about the people in my life and those that I’ve just recently met–how often do we show our true colors. Do we ever? Who do we do that for?
What is about them that allows us to freely peel back the layers? What makes us feel so connected with someone or..something that we trust our story will be heard by them the right way and told the way we want it to be told?
Everyone wants that, right? To be heard. Truthfully. To be seen. And to be Understood..
Beautiful picture. Beautiful Woman.
I have been asking these questions lately…How do we show our real selves and still maintain some iota of privacy and mystery? I am still trying to blend sharing me with keep parts of me for me.
However, being authentic does not always have to mean Real Housewivies of Atlanta Drama. Lol. My goals is to add value to peoples lives and it is a journey of learning and discovering what works and what does not. As a blogger and writer, I think about this a lot.
You are so right. There’s a fine line between transparency/authenticity and TMI but the line DOES exist. Of course we set our own boundaries and place the line where we see fit.
thanks Adeola! That’s an awesome point. And it also make me really wonder what is private anymore or personal and why do some mistake private people as people who are not “being authentic”.
YES Tamara! Especially w/ social media I find myself straddling between being authentic but yet still keeping my private life just that. Because I am a very private person, It is more of a challenge for me to be VERY transparent (in the virtual world/the net). Especially when my transparency has nothing to do w/work or business.
It is a working process and I always trust my instinct. If I feel that “uncomfy feeling” before I click publish or even after I click publish…then the post, picture, status update etc does not go up or comes down. It is my gauge for now.
I have also decided I have limited control of the world’s perception of me…I keeps it going! I am me and what you think of me does not change ME!
she’s gorgeous!
she was fun to work with (she also did her own makeup) !
Indeed we all want to be heard, seen and understood. The reality of it in my eyes is that unfortunately we can’t control how people see us in those lights. True freedom comes when we don’t truly care about their opinions but value our own and stay true to that.
She is beautiful! Awesome photos
Thanks so much Mimi! You are right, we have no control with other peoples perceptions. And one thing in working on is being “totally free” from opinions of other..it’s a process though.