HIDING?

This is one of a new batch of professional headshots I have recently commissioned. My most recent ones were a couple of years old and I need some up to date ones to accompany my application to speak at AICI Conference, plus other speaking commitments.

I decided to try a new photographer, based in my local area. I went in unannounced, wearing a denim shirt, dark black jeans and my customary glasses.

He looked up as I entered the reception area and, as I walked towards him, he started to stare at my face. “What fabulous glasses”.

I thanked him, and proceeded to enquire about head shots. As I was speaking, he continued his pretty hard staring and asked “What do you look like without your glasses?” My response - which is always the same - was this. I think I look OK without them, my husband definitely thinks I look better without them but when I take them off when I’m with colleagues, their response is always the same - “Oh!”, the inference being you’re not wearing your glasses. As a result, I feel less stylish. My perception is that my eyewear is the ONE accessory that stops my overall appearance from looking boring. Because of this, I continue to wear them even though I now only need them for reading and working on my computer. Successful cataract surgery in 2023 means I can see distance perfectly.

Most people use their glasses as something to hide behind. I am completely the opposite. I use them so people will notice me. Without them, I’m not sure they would.

To provide context; many people in my local area aren’t even aware I wear glasses. I don’t need them for watching TV, yoga, the gym, my exercise classes, or at the hair and beauty salons. I do wear them for clothes shopping, but only so I can read the price and size labels. Less often at a supermarket as I’m pretty aware of where things are and what they cost. So, it’s not that I’m attached to them on a daily basis. It’s only when I need to ‘perform’ or look extra stylish.

A day after the photo shoot, I needed to send a headshot to India to promote a webinar class I was running the following week. I contacted the photographer and asked if it was possible to send just one photo immediately so I could provide them with a current image. I explained why I needed it and said I was happy for him to select the correct image. The one on this post is the one he sent!

The photographer told me I was a beautiful woman, with amazing eyes, great bone structure and the best smile he had seen in a very long time. In his view, I did not need any accessories to improve on what nature had given me. My husband, by the way, agrees (but I guess he’s biassed -right?). I know it’s wrong, but most of us do need to get recognition and praise from a third party before we start to believe in ourselves. Just so you know - that includes image professionals!

As my word of the year is ‘open’ I am going to investigate how going out and about without my glasses serves me, professionally as well as personally.

Here’s the Thing: Being open sometimes means encouraging a sense of freedom about who you are and how you look at your life, which includes your overall appearance. Ditching preconceptions and rules can be liberating.

I will report back later!