What hiking and a bad photo can teach us!

Our latest hiking adventure took us up the stunning slopes of Mount Mitchell. My favourite walk so far. Every 100 meters or so the vegetation changed. We walked through tropical rainforests, fields of bracken, groves of silky oaks, forests of black boys and avenues of fluffy moss-covered trees straight out of a scene from Lord of the Rings. 

So there we were, hubby and I: walking and talking as we climbed. And as usual, I took a few happy snaps along the way. At some point, I felt the urge to document I'm on this adventure too. Because I'm the one who takes the photos, it's hubby who's in all of them and I miss out... Who else can relate???

So I ask him to take a photo with me in it. And while I'm grateful he did, I instantly wanted to kill him!!! 

Why - you ask?

Because I looked dreadful!!! Not one decent photo...

I love him dearly, but he has absolutely no clue when it comes to direction and posing skills nor has he an eye for detail for this type of thing. 

The result - my shoulders are hunched and awkward. I have a quadruple chin. The way my shirt is sitting accentuates my stomach. My hair is wildly escaping from under my buff. And what about the composition - there is none... I could go on and on but I'll stop there - you get the idea.

And the penny drops - my epiphany moment!

For many people it's at this point they start accusing themselves of being non-photogenic. Cue the negative self-talk about being ugly, too fat, too skinny, can't smile in photos, smile too much etc, etc, etc. When in reality the blame should fall on the person taking the photo and their lack of posing direction skills and eye for detail. (We're not picking on Mr JWP here - he is wonderful with many amazing talents but just like the majority of people a pro-photographer he is not!)

We are all beautiful and we all can have great photos of ourselves! We just need to be guided and directed in a way that's flattering to us, to have someone behind the camera with a critical eye for the finer details and our best interests at heart. (And it's bloody hard to self direct - Exhibit A, B and C pics with me!)

So if you're a self-proclaimed non-photogenic person who's avoided being photographed - stop that right now, find a pro AND GET IN PHOTOS! There's no need to hide anymore just because you've had bad photos in the past - invest in a professional photographer who's exceptional at directing and posing - you're so worth it! And stop being invisible in your business - your ideal clients need to see you!!! 

Jo xx

PS: I'm not going to trade hubby in because of his lack of photography skills - I love him too much to do that!!! Neither will I be getting him to take business photos of me lol!!! Oh, and we'll be hiking again soon - perhaps this coming weekend. <3