Living Lines
I had my first day really working in the studio this morning. It was a good experience. I was on my feet a lot in uncomfy shoes, and there were a lot of cranky parents and hungry, tired, fussy children, but, I got lots of smiles.
I baffles me how women demean themselves so much. They're constantly in the mirror fixing an invisible smudge on their cheek, or gently moving one single strand of hair half an inch over. And as they're standing there, they ask for head shots so not to capture their stomachs. Esspecially the mother's with small children. A little tummy is natural, and beautiful when you think of the reason it exists: fetus bumpers.
But, what gets me most is how the women bring out their concealer, stretch their necks, so to hide their "wrinkles." I think wrinkles add so much character to the face. They, too, are so natural. They're proof of life. They're living lines. They're like road maps into the depth of a person. Where they've been, how much they've lived.
I'll admitt that sometimes I, too, hide what is natural. I'll use so cream to cover the occasional blemish. Most often, I wont. But, more than anything, I am very natural: eyes, all real color; breasts, all mine. And I thank bathing suits for making me so comfortable with all that is natural about me.
Alright, I'm sure that sounds strange. Afterall, many women wouldn't want to be caught dead in a bathing suit. However, being a swim instructor, I had to get use to everyone seeing me in my suit, and I had to be comfortable in one. Bathing suits sure don't hide anything. And, well, I'm perfect as I am, no need to hide.
That doesn't mean people shouldn't diet, or exercise, however. People should try to be as healthy as they can. And, a secret: the healthier they are, the more secure with themselves they become.
I suppose what bothered me, really, was the true beauty that was being destroyed. Like those living lines. I love photographing people with character. Don't hide the character.
I baffles me how women demean themselves so much. They're constantly in the mirror fixing an invisible smudge on their cheek, or gently moving one single strand of hair half an inch over. And as they're standing there, they ask for head shots so not to capture their stomachs. Esspecially the mother's with small children. A little tummy is natural, and beautiful when you think of the reason it exists: fetus bumpers.
But, what gets me most is how the women bring out their concealer, stretch their necks, so to hide their "wrinkles." I think wrinkles add so much character to the face. They, too, are so natural. They're proof of life. They're living lines. They're like road maps into the depth of a person. Where they've been, how much they've lived.
I'll admitt that sometimes I, too, hide what is natural. I'll use so cream to cover the occasional blemish. Most often, I wont. But, more than anything, I am very natural: eyes, all real color; breasts, all mine. And I thank bathing suits for making me so comfortable with all that is natural about me.
Alright, I'm sure that sounds strange. Afterall, many women wouldn't want to be caught dead in a bathing suit. However, being a swim instructor, I had to get use to everyone seeing me in my suit, and I had to be comfortable in one. Bathing suits sure don't hide anything. And, well, I'm perfect as I am, no need to hide.
That doesn't mean people shouldn't diet, or exercise, however. People should try to be as healthy as they can. And, a secret: the healthier they are, the more secure with themselves they become.
I suppose what bothered me, really, was the true beauty that was being destroyed. Like those living lines. I love photographing people with character. Don't hide the character.