Camera-shy to Camera-cosy
I’ve always hated having my picture taken - by Sonali Oberoi
When I was around 13 years old, almost overnight, I developed cystic acne all over my face. For those lucky enough not to know what that is - it’s the most severe type of acne. It causes extremely painful, pus-filled pimples under the skin, every bit as gross as it sounds. I’ve lost count of the times that people at school, and then college and university would stop in their tracks and go “Omg what’s wrong with your face?” I’ve even had strangers walk up to me and give me unsolicited advice on how to get rid of it.
So naturally, whenever someone got a camera out (this was before smartphones, I’m an 80’s kid) I’d suddenly have to use the bathroom or *insert any excuse* to leave the room. As I got older I resigned myself to the acne (having tried 837465 things to try and fix it) but I’d still cringe whenever it came to taking group photos when I’d be out with friends or on other social occasions.
Volunteering to have my picture taken isn’t something I’d ever willingly do. While the acne thankfully went away about 5 years ago, the memories associated with it for all those years never did. So I never wanted to look at myself.
I left my long-term career in 2022 and started my own business. I’ve been working with the most amazing business coach for about 8 months now, and she’s been nudging me to get some decent photos of myself taken (I need to be more visible as my business is growing, I’m redoing my website, etc). I’d keep putting it off, making one excuse after another (I literally have one selfie that I use on LinkedIn and anywhere else that absolutely *needs* a photo).
I’m now due to be featured in a magazine and they need 4-8 photos…Ma’am, I only have one (yes, the same selfie). For a hot minute, I actually considered not being featured, that’s how much I didn’t want to get my photos taken. Better sense prevailed thankfully, and in the meantime, my coach found Candid Studios and told me about it. The concept is a lot less intimidating than posing for an actual human being.
I was honestly sweating as I booked my session, the thought was making me SO uncomfortable. I said as much in the booking form - and the fact that Aimee took the time to read it and respond was SO reassuring. Firstly, there’s an actual human being on the other side who cares about my experience, and secondly, the tips you shared were really helpful. So to my own surprise, I responded by asking to extend the session.
After that though, I just didn’t want to think about it, it still filled me with dread. When the day arrived I wanted to throw up. I got to the studio wanting to be anywhere but there. The instant I met Lily though, I started to relax. From the second I met you, you were so kind and warm. This made me feel comfortable enough to tell you how difficult this was for me. I LOVED you taking the time to stay with me for the first 5-10 minutes, showing me how to pose and cheering me on. I was really shocked when I saw the first few photos, my skin was glowing! All the negativity that I associated with it for so long just melted away. I also appreciate how I could delete any photos I didn’t like there and then.
Going into this experience, I honestly thought I’d have maybe one photo that would be decent. That morning I was telling my coach how I felt, and she even said “No one has to see them, just you and me.” But I’ve got over 30 favourites! I’m so excited about my magazine feature now, as well as my website! Thank you SO much, Aimee & Lily, I will see you again very soon!
