Psychology in Photography?
Before and after.
We see them every day. Before and after morning shower, before party and morning after, before and after new haircut, before you hear “I love you” for the first time, and right after… and thousand more examples that I can but would not write because I’ll run out of space on the page.
We are fluid ever-changing beings, our appearance shift and change from morning to evening, from year to year.
Yet we have internal constant, almost unchangable self image. A dot on a scale. Plus, zero or minus if you think in black and white. That image dictates how people see us. It is not make-up/hair/new dress. People see through all this. They see you the way you see yourself. Hard cold truth.
I propose a challenge – when you are alone, go to the mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and say “I am beautiful”. And wait and listen for what is inside. Observe your thoughts. If you can not even say it out loud, you are not alone. It is hard. Many feel like a big fat liar. I do. If you are in this group, you know – work needs to be done. You owe it to your loved ones. You owe it to your soulmate, who still manage to love you with love bigger than yours for yourself; you owe it to your children, because you will pass your self-image as legacy to them.
There are many ways that will help: self-affirmations, counseling, practicing mindfulness, etc. Gestalt for staying in the moment, CBT for challenging irrational thinking, psychoanalysis for getting to the roots, etc. As licensed professional counselor I’d say – therapy is marvelous, and everyone can benefit from it.
And there are portraits. I could not help but notice how powerful they are in shifting self image. There is something magical and anchoring in firm knowledge that you can look as good as the models in a magazine, or ladies in the portraits in an art museum. If and when you want to.
I want every woman to have beautiful portrait of herself. It will work its magic day after day.
It is internalization of positive self image. It feels freeing. It moves the dot to the right. It gives radiance no matter the face you wake up with. See yourself through loving eyes. You deserve it.
When I was reading your blog and viewing your before and after images, I am just happy to see the change in your subjects, they are really beautiful. I just wanted to say thanks. Tom
If hit the nail on the head, Tatiana. “See yourself through loving eyes.”!!!
Hello Tatianna,
Loved the dialogue here. I am 61 and look fabulous in the bathroom. It is when I leave it that I am surprised I do not look that good. But it is OK. I am a portrait photographer specializing in portraits of women. It is my job to transform lives through my portrait work and that is wonderful!
I am just starting my business, with 7 years of photographic study and 30 years of sales experience. I am on my way!
So love your work and I must say mesmerized by your poise and beauty. I watched the entire free Sue Bryce program on Creative Live recently where you were on of the mentors. Women from your original country, or part of the world are so feminine and beautifully appointed.
Therapy: I have been through Cognitive therapy and communications studies. Everyone can benefit from therapy. It significantly changed my life for the better.
This was an excellent post.
Thank you for all you do!
Deborah