Stop Waiting to Lose Weight Before Your Brand Photos

We need to stop with the “I’ll book photos when I lose 10 pounds” thing.

I mean it.

And before anyone comes for me… 😂 I’m not going to tell you that you have to love every single thing about your body exactly as it is today. I’m not going to tell you that wanting to lose weight is right or wrong. And I’m DEFINITELY not going to give you some inspirational speech about how you just need to ✨love yourself✨ and all your insecurities will magically disappear.

Because girl… I get it. Like, actually get it.

I’ve put off having my own photos taken because I didn’t feel great about my body. I’ve bought the bigger jeans. I’ve had the “maybe I’ll just wait until…” conversation with myself too.

So I’m not saying any of this from some magical land of perfect body confidence.

But I am going to lovingly call you out on one thing:

Please don’t put yourself on hold in the meantime.

Meanwhile, Your Business Keeps Moving

“I really need new photos, but I want to lose 10 pounds first” is probably one of the most common reasons I’ve heard for putting off a brand photoshoot.

And I understand the logic. You’ll lose the weight, feel better, feel more confident and THEN book the photos.

Except sometimes six months goes by. Or a year.

Your website still has the same old photo. Your LinkedIn headshot is four years old. You’re avoiding showing your face in your marketing because you don’t have anything current that you actually like.

Meanwhile, your business kept moving.

You kept growing. You got better at what you do. Maybe your offers changed, your prices changed or your clients changed.

You just decided you weren’t allowed to have photos of that version of you yet.

And THAT is the part I want to lovingly call bullshit on. ❤️

You Don’t Have to Feel Completely Confident

You do not need to show up at your brand photoshoot ten pounds lighter, suddenly knowing exactly how to pose and feeling wildly confident in front of a camera.

You don’t even have to pretend you’re not self-conscious.

Tell me.

If there’s an angle you hate, something you’re worried about or a part of your body you really don’t want emphasized, I would MUCH rather know.

You’re not going to offend me. You’re not going to make it weird. And you’re definitely not going to tell me something I haven’t heard before.

Because part of my job as a brand photographer is paying attention to all of that.

I’ll guide you into positions that flatter you. I’ll watch the angles, your clothes, your hands and the light. I’ll fix the shirt that’s sitting weird. I’ll probably make you laugh when you’re getting way too inside your own head. 😂

You don’t need to arrive knowing how to do any of that yourself.

Plan Your Brand Photos for the Person You Are Now

When we’re planning your shoot, we’re planning it for the person you are right now.

Wear clothes that fit your body now and make you feel freaking good. Get your hair and makeup done if being pampered makes you feel amazing. Choose outfits, locations and an overall vibe that make you feel like YOU.

Your brand photos can absolutely represent where you want your business to go next.

You just don’t need to wait for your body to get somewhere else first.

We’re photographing you.

These Don’t Have to Be the Last Photos You Ever Take

I think we sometimes put WAY too much pressure on a photoshoot because we treat the photos like some permanent record we’re signing off on for the rest of our lives.

They’re not.

If you lose the 10 pounds? Cool. Take more photos.

If your body changes, your hair changes, your style changes or your business changes? Take more photos.

If none of those things happen?

Take more photos anyway.

Brand photos are there to represent you and your business right now. And as you change, they can change too.

So yes. You’re allowed to want to lose weight. You’re allowed to wish something looked different. You’re allowed to feel nervous about being photographed.

I get it.

Just please don’t make your life or your business wait for it.

Your business can keep evolving. Your body doesn’t need to be a prerequisite.

Maybe It’s Time to Book the Damn Photoshoot

If you’ve been putting off your brand photos because you keep telling yourself you’ll book them when you feel a little more ready, maybe this is me lovingly telling you that you don’t have to wait.

Looking for an Edmonton brand photographer who will help you plan, pose and feel comfortable through the whole thing? Book the damn photoshoot. 😉