What is a self-love photoshoot?
Forget all the narratives in your head about photoshoots being egotistical, self-absorbed, showy. Stop worrying about what other people think. I’ve come to realise that people who are judging you are probably struggling with their own insecurities and don’t have the confidence or self-love to celebrate themselves. Because that’s what this is - a celebration of you! It’s an opportunity to capture your unique essence. And above all else, it’s a chance to play and have fun!
Why should you consider one?
You don’t need a reason to have a photoshoot - why only save them for special occasions with other people (think weddings, engagements, new born family shoots). We shouldn’t have to wait for one of these ‘big socially celebrated life events’ to happen. We can choose to just celebrate our love for ourselves, ANY FUCKING DAY OF THE YEAR.
Many of us glance in the mirror and negative self-talk begins. We only see ourselves at a certain angle, in a certain light, doing the same thing like brushing our teeth or doing our make up. A photographer can capture you at all different angles, flowing rather than being static, and hopefully (if you’ve relaxed into your shoot) feeling free and natural. Once you see the images, you will see beauty you haven’t seen before. You’ll see yourself in a new light.
Imagine looking back at your photos in 20/30/40 years time and how much you just celebrated being alive. We will all go through multiple phases in our lives, and how magical it is to be able to capture them all and look back on our evolution. Even if you’re not feeling your best, capture it! It will serve as a reminder that you’re human, experiencing all that human life has to offer. Let it be an inspiration to keep showing up for yourself. Let it be a reminder that growth happens.
Also imagine how beautiful it would be to show your children the images, and let them see what self-love and celebration of your unique self and body looks like. Many of us grow up around parents that self-loathe and put themselves and others down, which leads us to do the same. What if we could show them another way? I have thought about how different my body image might have been if I'd grown up being shown something different.
Things that might crop up
Photoshoots will highlight where your insecurities are as you may try to hide those areas/angles from the camera. It’s okay to work with the bits you love, but it’s also an opportunity to lean into the areas you don’t love as much and see if you can learn to accept them a little more than you did before. It's not an overnight process, but the more we work with the areas we don't like, the more we learn to love and accept them.
How to plan for your photoshoot
When you’re planning for a photoshoot, think about who you really are, what your values are, how you like to express yourself. Think of this as an opportunity to show the world your authentic, real self.
Think about the location of the shoot - do you want to be in nature and at one with the elements and mother earth? Do you want to be in a studio and have no distractions with you as the sole focus? Do you want to be somewhere you love and that reflects your personality, like a sporting facility or bustling city? The location also says a lot about you and how you want to come across.
Clothes or no clothes? Clothes can be a great way to reflect who you are, but equally opting for no clothes can show you stripped bare as your most authentic, vulnerable self. Both options send a strong message.
My experiences
I was so surprised how empowered I felt after my first photoshoot. It started awkwardly, as I’m sure many shoots do, but once I relaxed into it I felt I could just be myself and my personality started to shine through. I quickly let go of all the narratives I had in my head around what a photoshoot was and realised it was art. A creative process of expressing myself. Since my first shoot I’ve had a couple more of my own, and also got behind the camera too to capture other women in the same way. I love photography as a means of self expression.
My most recent shoot was booked solely for the purpose of self-love and celebrating me. A birthday present to myself. I wanted to get naked in the woods. I wanted to feel free, close to nature and let go of my insecurities (because I have plenty). And it did the job! I loved the process and let go of my inhibitions. My photographer Alice made me feel so at ease and we just had fun creating art. There are angles and parts of my body I don’t like, but I’m learning to love it all. I know I’ll look back on these images when I’m 60 and just see beauty, and I’m trying to look at them with this lens now too. Lets not wait until we’re older to realise our own beauty, what a waste of years not loving and celebrating ourselves!
I hope I’ve encouraged you to think about booking in your own photoshoot, for no reason other than to celebrate yourself and have fun! 😊
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