I miss my photographer.
98 of 250
- Navy T-Shirt dress (last seen here) from Gap– $13.79 (during 40% off clearance sale)
- Pink rope belt, a recent purchase from Gap Outlet– $1.68 on sale, with coupon
- Pink stone necklace (last seen here) from La Loft– $15 on sale
- Burgundy sandals via Etienne Aigner Outlet, circa 2004
We’ve come a long way in the photographic arts, here at The Pretty Year. It’s hard to believe this was the first outfit photo I took, back on January 5.
You can’t even tell what color the shoes are!
Compare to, oh, say… this one, which I kind of love:
Thankfuly, I ditched my old photographer– the useful but not particularly agile Gorillapod– for my husband, a good sport often seen around town holding my purse so it’s not in the shot.
Now that’s a man. Unfortunately, for this day’s photoshoot, he was unavailable.
Believe it or not, I used to run screaming from the camera. There are at least 10 years of my life for which there exist no more than 20 or 30 photographs. And I don’t mean in my possession– I mean in existence. When I first started this project, I was a wreck. I must have taken 40 shots for every one I posted. It was a good exercise– it didn’t take long for me to realize that even the most naturally gorgeous celebrity probably produces at least 5– and as many as 500– terrible, awkward or just subpar photographs for every one that makes them look like they could launch 1000 ships.
But what really helped me get over my camera-shyness was the sheer volume of photos I needed for this challenge. Some days I just didn’t have time to take a truly flattering photo, and you know what? I gritted my teeth and posted it anyway. After a while, I realized that the more photos I took, the more I stacked the deck in my favor. Instead of protecting myself by avoiding picture-taking opportunities, I had been limiting the number of good photos of me, out there in the universe, making me feel, well… “Pretty.” Not to mention the memories I could have captured, and lost. Now, when I take a photo I’m not in love with*– a photo I “have to” share with the whole world, no less– I just tell myself there will be 249 others this year. They can’t all be winners, but they can’t all be duds, either.
—
*Like the last one, which I’d like if not for the one-big-eye, one-little-eye squinty-blinky thing I have going on.
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Your husband is adorable. He looks THRILLED to be included with handbag in hand LOL! Photography is something I need to work on for sure.
1) Oh my goodness those are some forearms
2) I have no idea how unattractive those other 499 photos may have turned out. But you have to be exceptionally photogenic to pull of a pink and orange outfit. I’m pretty sure even my barbies couldn’t do that.
Bianca– He is! Adorable and thrilled. Actually, this is his favorite job.
Butch– Yes, and thanks!
I love that your husband assists you in your quest
What a sweet guy.
Those pink heels in the second shot are sweeeet! I wish that my feet would allow me to wear cute heels.
I feel ya about the photos, the only full body ones of me are ones that my mum’s taken. I’ve avoided the camera for years because every photo I saw I thought I looked ‘fat’ in, even though the only people interested in photos of me are people I know so its no surprise to them whatever size I am.
(lol, hope that didn’t come off as too creepy!).
I love, love, love that pink and orange outfit, it looks so gorgeous on you! I’m a big fan of your colour matching, i even painted my bedroom and walk-in-robe in turquoise and purple because of seeing you wearing outfits in those colours and it worked so well
Plus gotta love a man who holds tha handbag, my hubbie gets roped into it as well.
Hahaha! No, not creepy at all– very cool! And to think 95% of my wardrobe used to be black and white.
Pink!
And Tangerine!
*swoons*
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