Don't wait because of weight...

Are you avoiding a photo session based on how you look?

Here’s how one client reframed that same apprehension and got in front of the camera.

Recently, I had a consultation call about a branded lifestyle portrait session. 

He mentioned that he’s been hesitant to move forward with the shoot because he was still in the process of losing weight. 

At the same time, he was re-launching his brand and business, with a whole suite of new products and services. 

As a result, his marketing team needed an entire portfolio of images to implement everywhere across his entire online presence. 

The only problem was that the photos he had were severely outdated. When they were created, he was about 50 pounds heavier. 

Long story short, he had nothing he could use, and that’s a problem. 

However, he was skittish on pulling the trigger because of the fact that he still wanted to lose more weight. 

So, I offered him a solution. 

Instead of booking a bigger session, we keep it small and efficient. 

I told him to go back to his team and create two lists - one that is the must-have photos in the short-term, and a nice-to-have list for down the road. 

We will create a shot sheet that satisfies the short-term needs in a shorter portrait session, and, in several months' time, revisit the nice to have list and capture those for his portfolio when he’s ready. 

While that option somewhat diminished his apprehension, he still was on the fence to pull the trigger.

And that’s when I put on my positive psychology hat and offered him a mental reframe. 

As someone who used to weigh 300 pounds and hated cameras, I understood where he was coming from very well. I empathize with how much it bothers him to look at heavier photos of himself and how that can negatively influence his mood and confidence level. 

But, at the same time, there is something big happening in his life, and this issue is throwing a big ass monkey wrench into the machinery. 

As a way to make peace with himself on this and provide his team with the assets they need, I invited him to change the negative way he’s interpreting this situation into a positive moment in his life.

How?

Rather than seeing these photos as a reminder that he’s not physically where he wants to be in his life, see these images as a progress report of how much weight he’s already lost. 

I mean, the photos he had currently were totally unusable based on the advances he’s made already. Capture the progress now, and run with them until you’re ready to photograph the next phrase of improvement. 

That way, when he sees these new photos out in the world working to get his audience’s attention, he’ll be reminded that he’s on the path to where he wants to be. And, it’ll also act as motivation to keep pushing for what he wants. 

And the next time he steps in front of the camera, he can replace the interim shots with ones where he feels more comfortable in his skin. Not only will these photos check all the marketing and promotional boxes…

…but it also will be a cause for celebration for him personally.

This reframe resonated with him and he pulled the trigger :) 

At the end of the day, you need to look like the person you are in your photos as you do in a room full of your clients, regardless whether or not you’re happy with where you are physically.

That goes for everyone, including myself, who runs a business.

If you don’t, then you’ve casted some doubt in the minds of those you serve. The trust factor is affected, and you can’t have that happen. 

Whatever the apprehension about your appearance happens to be, you need to compartmentalize it and own that camera for the duration of your session. 

Remember, you have a lot of people out there counting on you to help them out, and they don’t know you yet. So, stop being so hard on yourself and give yourself the chance to introduce yourself to these folks. 

Keep one thing in mind…

People don’t give a shit what you look like if you can deliver on your promise of helping them get past what’s holding them back. So, just get out there and do your thing…

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