Happy New Year, everyone!  As I reflect on my personal goals for this upcoming year (I hope you’re doing the same and putting them down in writing), I am particularly inspired by the subject of today’s blog: Why are we so obsessed with “improving” ourselves?  In today’s world, we are inundated with the constant “here’s my highly edited life” reel of never-ending social media posts.  Yet, we never see the true, real, behind the scenes “B-Roll”.  There are a plethora of articles out there on the topic, and that’s a good thing.  We live in a society where “keeping up with the Joneses” has been taken to new heights, and the serious problem that comes with that is being highlighted by experts in the mental and physical health fields.  The problem is that our comparison to “the Joneses” is often based on a farce.

With the advent of insanely advanced photoshopping apps and access to many “luxury” items previously out of reach, by way of “influencers” being paid to promote them, the Joneses are now enhancing, and even faking, their bodies, their hair, their facial features, their happiness, their vacations, their homes, their cars and their success.  This creates a false sense of reality for everyone involved, the producers of such content and the ones seeing these posts on social media.  Not only is it ridiculous to compare ourselves to this fake alternative universe, it’s not healthy for our psyche, soul or bodies.  So, I implore you.  This year, don’t resolve to be a “better” you, resolve to set and stick to better priorities.  This will be a way more manageable and healthy approach to the new year.  Inevitably, it will also improve the quality of your life, which is what we should all be striving for.

So, why am I, a headshot photographer, writing to you about this?  Basically, because it goes to my own philosophy of photography, and specifically portrait / headshot photography and editing.  Before you sit for a session with me, I’ll ask you about your most favorite features and I’ll ask you about those that you feel less excited about.  Rather than distorting your images with sweeping, unrealistic, post-production retouching, I’ll photograph you in a manner that is true to you and enhances your favorite features.  A headshot session should never result in a picture that bears only a remote resemblance to its subject.  It should exude his or her natural inner confidence.   So, while it’s natural to be nervous for a headshot session, please rest assured that you can feel comfortable and relaxed.  The result will be killer.  

So, if you also believe in self-love and are searching for a new true-to-you headshot in the Denver area, give me a shout.  I’d love to work with you!