Please Don't Take My Picture

How can photography affect the way we feel?

In today's digital age, photography has become an integral part of our lives. With smartphones equipped with powerful cameras, capturing moments has never been easier. From candid snapshots to carefully composed portraits, photography allows us to freeze moments in time and preserve memories.

However, beneath the surface, the impact of photography on our emotions and mental well-being is profound and often overlooked.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Photography has the unique ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and nostalgia to sadness and anxiety. The images we capture or encounter can elicit strong emotional responses, sometimes even without our conscious awareness. A simple photograph has the power to transport us back to a cherished memory or evoke feelings of longing for the past. Conversely, it can also remind us of painful experiences or evoke feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

One of the most significant ways in which photography influences our emotions is through its portrayal of reality. While photographs are often perceived as objective representations of the world, they are inherently subjective. The photographer's perspective, biases, and intentions shape the way a scene is captured and presented. As viewers, we interpret these images through our own experiences and emotions, which can profoundly influence how we feel about them.

The Impact on Our Emotions

As I sit down to write about the impact of photography on our emotions and self-perception, I can't help but confront a deeply personal aspect of this topic: the way photography can exacerbate negative body image and the discomfort many of us feel when confronted with images that highlight our perceived flaws. In a society obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards and the relentless pursuit of perfection, photography has become a double-edged sword, capable of both preserving cherished memories and reinforcing damaging stereotypes about body image.

Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash

For as long as I can remember, I've struggled with my body image. Growing up, I was bombarded with images of airbrushed models and celebrities, their flawless faces and toned bodies staring back at me from billboards, magazines, and screens. As a result, I internalized the message that beauty equated to thinness, and anything less was unacceptable. Every time I looked in the mirror or saw a photograph of myself, I couldn't help but focus on my perceived flaws: the extra pounds around my waist, the cellulite on my thighs, the imperfections that seemed to define me in the eyes of society.

Photography only served to magnify these insecurities. Every time a camera was pointed in my direction, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I dreaded the moment when the shutter clicked, freezing me in time and capturing every perceived flaw for eternity.

For a person who loves to travel, there will inevitably be photos taken in a destination. But what is the image I want to project? Will I see the happy face of being there, or will I see the larger person blocking the image in the background?

Photo by Jade Destiny on Unsplash

The Role of Social Media

In an age where social media reigns supreme and every moment is documented and shared online, the pressure to present a perfect image of oneself is overwhelming. We carefully curate our online personas, selecting only the most flattering photos to share with the world, while hiding the ones that don't meet society's impossible standards of beauty.

But what happens when we can't escape the camera's gaze?

What happens when we're confronted with images of ourselves that don't align with the idealized version we've constructed in our minds? For many of us, myself included, the answer is simple: it hurts. It hurts to see ourselves reflected back in a way that contradicts the image of perfection we've been conditioned to aspire to. It hurts to be reminded of all the ways in which we fall short of society's unrealistic standards. And it hurts to know that no matter how hard we try, we may never measure up.

The impact of photography on our emotions and self-perception cannot be overstated. Studies¹ have shown that exposure to idealized images of beauty can lead to negative body image and low self-esteem, particularly among young people. Diseases such as Anorexia and Bulimia are a constant reminder that body image can also affect physical health as well as mental health.

Photo by Elena Leya on Unsplash

Constant comparison to these unattainable standards can erode our sense of self-worth and fuel feelings of shame and inadequacy. And while social media platforms like Instagram may offer filters and editing tools designed to enhance our appearance, they also perpetuate the myth that beauty is something that can be achieved through manipulation and artifice.

But it's not just the images we see of ourselves that can affect the way we feel—it's also the images we see of others. Every time we scroll through our Instagram feeds, Twitter, or flip through the pages of a magazine, we're bombarded with images of flawless bodies and unattainable beauty. And while we may know on an intellectual level that these images are airbrushed and edited to perfection, it's hard not to internalize the message that this is what we should aspire to.

As we age, it becomes harder to achieve this superficial beauty. Our bodies sag, our skin creases and our muscles do not flex the way the used to. Some days it is a challenge to get up. The last thing we want to think about is how we may look if we are photographed.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of photography on our self-esteem and body image?

The first step is to recognize that the images we see in the media are not reflective of reality. They are carefully curated and manipulated to sell products and perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards. By acknowledging this fact, we can begin to challenge the harmful messages that these images convey and develop a more realistic and compassionate view of ourselves and others.

Photo by Amir Seilsepour on Unsplash

Secondly, we can take control of our own image by being mindful of the photos we choose to share online. Instead of striving for perfection, we can embrace our imperfections and celebrate the unique beauty that makes us who we are. By sharing authentic and unfiltered images of ourselves, we can challenge the notion that beauty is synonymous with perfection and create a more inclusive and empowering online community.

Finally, we can seek out and support media that celebrates diversity and promotes body positivity. Whether it's following body-positive influencers on social media or consuming content that challenges traditional beauty standards, surrounding ourselves with images that reflect the diversity of the human experience can help us develop a more positive relationship with our bodies and ourselves.

In conclusion, photography has the power to both reflect and shape our emotions and self-perception. For many of us, myself included, it can be a source of anxiety and insecurity, particularly when it comes to our bodies. But by challenging the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by the media, embracing our imperfections, and seeking out images that celebrate diversity and authenticity, we can begin to reclaim our sense of self-worth and develop a more positive relationship with photography and ourselves.

Photo by Philbo 🇺🇦 on Unsplash

So please, don't take my picture—at least not until I'm ready to confront the insecurities that it may unearth.

Does this resonate with you? I’d love to hear how you have overcome negative self image brought on by seeing your self in photos.

1. National Centre for Biotechnology Information