“I Hate Myself in Photos.”
If you’ve ever said that — even quietly — you’re not alone.
In fact, I would confidently say that the majority of mums who walk into my planning appointment feel exactly the same way.
Not because they don’t value photos.
Not because they don’t want them.
But because they don’t like how they look in them.
They’ll say things like:
“I just need to lose a bit of weight first.”
“I’m not very photogenic.”
“I’m happy to get photos of the kids though.”
And every time, I gently say the same thing:
That’s exactly why we’re doing this.
You Are Not Unphotogenic
Let’s clear something up.
Being uncomfortable in photos is not the same as being unphotogenic.
Most adults haven’t been taught how to stand, where to put their hands, how to angle their body, or what posture makes them feel confident. That’s not your job.
It’s mine.
I know the angles.
I know how to position you so you feel natural.
I know how to guide you without making you feel posed.
And I will not gatekeep that knowledge. If something feels awkward, we fix it. If you’re worried about a certain side, we work with the other. If you don’t know what to do with your hands — that’s normal, and I’ll tell you.
You don’t need to know how to be photographed.
You just need to show up.
Let’s Talk About Photoshop
Yes, we use Photoshop.
No, I’m not going to drop you five dress sizes or completely erase every laugh line you’ve earned.
But I absolutely can soften the things you don’t love.
Temporary blemish like a pimple? Gone.
Under-eye shadows from a week of no sleep? Softened.
That little bit under your chin that only appears when you see a camera? I’ve got you.
The goal isn’t to make you look like someone else.
The goal is to make you look like you… on a really good day.
And there’s nothing dishonest about that.
I’ve Been Photographed at Every Size
My dad is a photographer, which means I’ve been photographed a lot during my lifetime.
I’ve been photographed in the body of a teeny tiny marathon runner (yes, I used to run marathons — that’s a story for another time).
I’ve also been photographed in a less-than-tiny, still-eating-like-I-run-marathons-but-no-longer-running-marathons body.
And every size in between.
You know what never gets old though?
Sitting with my kids and flicking through old photos and hearing them say:
“There’s Daddy.”
“There’s Flynny.”
“And there’s Mummy.”
They don’t comment on my size.
They don’t zoom in on my arms.
They don’t critique my chin.
They just see me.
And they’re excited that I’m there.
Your Children Don’t See What You See
This is the part where I’m going to be direct.
Your children do not care about the things you are criticising in the mirror.
They care that you were there.
They care that you held them.
That you laughed.
That you showed up.
And one day — hopefully a very, very long time from now — you will be gone.
When that happens, photographs will be one of the only tangible things your children have of you.
That might sound dramatic, but it’s true.
So exist in them.
Not when you’ve lost 10 kilos.
Not when you feel more confident.
Not when life slows down.
Now.
And Yes… You’re Usually the One Behind the Camera
Let’s also acknowledge something else.
Most mums are the documenters.
You’re the one taking the photos at birthdays. At the park. On holidays.
Which means if something happened tomorrow, your children would have hundreds of images of their childhood…
And very few of you in it.
That’s not okay.
If This Sounds Like You, It’s Time
If you’ve been avoiding booking family photos because you “hate yourself in photos,” this is your sign.
You don’t need to love every photo of yourself.
You just need to exist in them.
I will guide you.
I will position you.
I will soften the things that bother you.
And I will make sure your children have photographs where you are right there with them.
Not perfect.
Just present.
If this sounds like you, it’s time.
Book the planning appointment. Let’s have the conversation.
Your future children — and one day, your grown-up children — will be very glad you did.