Hang ups. We all have them.
Insecurities and things we amplify in our own mind, whether there’s any truth to them or not. Little insecurities that grow loud in the mirror, in photos, and in moments we should be present for. We breathe in, adjust our clothes and hold a flattering position. But as a photographer, my lens is never searching for perfection. It’s searching for a beautiful moment frozen in time.
What moves me isn’t the perfect pose or the ideal angle, it’s the raw emotion that lives in between. The laugh that escapes unplanned, the quiet strength in stillness, the vulnerability in a glance. These are the moments that speak louder than any edit ever could.
Self image is something we all have – how we believe we look in our mind – and how we actually look. We often hold ourselves to the standards of years ago, when we may have considered we looked our best. The truth is, the best version of you is the version now, the person you are today – as you’ve spent your whole life becoming that person.
As photographers, we walk a knife edge on capturing a moment in its truest form, whilst wanting to deliver photos that clients will really love, celebrate and want to share with the world. We see people as they are: unscripted, imperfect, human. And in those fleeting, unguarded moments, there’s a kind of beauty that can’t be posed or retouched. But we also know how deeply personal a photograph can be – how it becomes part of someone’s story, something they’ll carry, frame, and share with pride.
Photographers have to tread carefully. We honour the real, while gently shaping the frame. We don’t mask the truth – we highlight its most beautiful parts. Because when someone sees themselves not just as they hoped to look, but as they feel, that’s when an image becomes more than a photo. It becomes a reflection worth celebrating.
I, as a photographer, will always endeavour to provide sharp, well lit, beautiful images of your day. As with any art form, what makes a good photo is subjective, and it’s common for people to not like the way they look in photos – when in reality, they needn’t have anything to fear.
However, if there’s anything you’re conscious about, let me know beforehand, so we can keep that in mind during the photoshoot/day. Whether it’s lines, lumps, bumps and wobbly bits – we all have them – so don’t let the false sense of perfection take the shine off your otherwise perfect day.
I also make sure that where possible, I remove things like exit signs, plugs and fire alarms from photos – I won’t however ever drastically alter the subject – as it’s not my place or in my good conscience for me to do so. Someone could (quite rightly) be offended if I took artistic licence to change the way they look – but I also know it’s a balance of wanting my subjects to look their absolute best and deliver them photos they’ll cherish forever.
Photographs with light airbrushing and colour correction is vastly different to extensive airbrushing and filtering, as you’re essentially changing someone’s figure or face.
Photography, at its best, reminds us that beauty isn’t the absence of flaws, but the presence of something real. And when we let go, even just a little, we allow the camera to see us fully – not just as we think we should be, but as we truly are. That’s where the magic happens.
Whatever your hangs ups may be – if you’re looking for a Wedding Photographer that’s happy to discuss them, you can get in touch with me here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Lucinda P Photography 