This is the place for moms In The Making, who smile with the messes, embrace the unexpected, and know that every day is a blessing.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Look beautiful in your photos today!


I like to say... the camera adds 10lbs... and Photoshop takes away 20 :)



I love getting dressed up in cute outfits! I was especially inspired by Lindsay at the Pleated Poppy with her idea of getting dressed and striving to look cute each day. The motivation... you share your outfit each week on What I Wore Wednesday.


I might not be perfect, but I think I’m a beautiful person... however when I started taking pictures of myself each week I was horrified! My pictures with our little old camera in a poorly lit room came out looking terrible.. Then I would look at all these other moms looking perfect!


My afterwork, garden planting look :)



I learned a few things -
#1 Don’t compare yourself to other people

#2 If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can take some horrible looking pictures!

#3 Go outside (natural light it WAY  better)

#4 Don’t have the camera looking up at you - it makes you look larger than life!

#5 All camera's are not equal... Now we have a Canon D60 and Lightroom. So I take the photos (Which already turn out better) then brighten them up! I love the way I look!


This just made me stop and think about life as a woman. We are surrounded by movie stars and magazines who always look perfect... With the improvements I made to taking pictures I look substantially better. How much better would I look if I had a makeup and hair stylist working with me, a seamstress fixing my clothes to look perfect, and a professional touching up all my photos to make me look flawless?




Why do we compare ourselves? I know I have things to improve in my life, I could eat a little better and work out a little more. But I am beautiful today! Right now!


How do you stay focused on your beauty today, while still trying to improve yourself?

24 comments:

  1. Hi, Theresa! I saw this on "What I Learned", and I love it! The photo tips are great - but you're so right - if you can't love yourself & stop comparing yourself to others, you're never going to be happy with your pictures - and probably not your life, either! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  2. You look great! I love the way the sun is hitting you. It give you that "glow" lol. Awesome boots by the way! Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Thanks for the tips! You look amazing and I think I'm not going to be as camera shy in the future! I am co-hosting a party with 3 other bloggers called The Project Stash and it is starting tonight at 8:00 pm EST. I'd love for you to stop by and link up your project! There is also a Shabby Apple Giveaway!

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.com

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  4. Thanks for this! You are inspiring! Sometimes I don't like taking photos of myself. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but find myself doing it constantly.

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  5. Very good tips and it is nice to read your opinions of yourself. I am someone who always compares myself with other (or with my younger, thinner self) and am constantly discouraged when I see photos of myself. Thanks for the insights!

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  6. Thanks for this post! Your second picture is really just gorgeous! Your eyes and smile say a lot and I can tell that you are a beautiful person inside and out! That's what I need to work on... believing that I'm beautiful and letting it shine through.

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  7. LOVED this! I love using photoshop to get rid of zits etc. The slenderizing feature is pretty crazy too! haha

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  8. This is such great advice! It is so hard not to compare yourself, especially in photos. Your pictures are so confident and beautiful, I will remember this post the next time I end up in front of the camera. Take care!

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  9. Be gone underarm flab...lol photoshop is flabbuless!
    Lady you are beautiful

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  10. You have the greatest ideas and the best attitude!

    Totally agree with your list and especially love #3 and #4!

    My readers loved your post too. It was one of the most clicked ideas submitted last week. You can view your feature here: http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2013/06/best-mom-advice-6913/.

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  11. YES you are beautiful right now! Just saw your post from Crystal & Co's Mom Advice Feature! YOU ROCK, Momma!

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  12. You ARE beautiful. Great pictures!

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  13. this is terrific!! Thanks so much. Please come and share this bit of wisdom and yourself at What to do Weekends Party!! Best wishes, Linda Do you have social media? I would love to follow you.

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/06/what-to-do-weekends-party-23.html

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    1. I just added my social media buttons :-) I would love if you followed me! Thanks

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  14. You sure are beautiful!! And that smile of yours is worth millions. Touchwood.

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  15. You are so right! There's a tool in PhotoScape called..."smartblur," I think. It's subtitled something about complexion enhancement or some such. After playing with it one day and seeing what a difference in made in my photos, I was quite struck by how much photo editing contributes to the looks we see in magazines, etc. (I don't use the smartblur in my online photos, btw; I think it's better to keep it real! I tweak things like the lighting levels, etc., but I don't artificially smooth my skin.)

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  16. So, so true! Great tips and an even better perspective. Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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  17. Hi, Teresa! Thanks for the tips! We're all on a down-hill slide in the looks department. I'm on the back side of 50, so a word from over here is to find other things to focus on than your looks because it gets really depressing! Laugh at yourself (God does have a sense of humor~ala old age) and keep stretching yourself by learning new things. Develop your heart muscles most of all. We can be truly beautiful on the inside without becoming a person obsessed with looks. To me, more than anything, self-obsession turns us into an ugly person. Sorry for the sermonette, but it's one of those "tell it like it is" days! That's my "snapshot" for today. :-)
    His blessings,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen

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  18. What a great, great post! Love the tips and especially love the reflection on why women compare themselves--- just silly and counterproductive!

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  19. You look FABULOUS and so happy. Thanks for linking up.
    P

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  20. Thank you for all the tips! And darlin....you look fabulous!!! Love your smile!

    Have a beautiful weekend!
    Debi

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  21. Thanks so much for sharing at Photog Show and Tell, you were featured!! Hop over and grab a button :)
    Whistle and Ivy

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  22. Teresa,
    I love these tips, why do we always think what overs would think. Not realizing they are not thinking that at all. Your beautiful, love the gardening outfit and your great smile.
    Hugs,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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