I’ve never been a fan of having my photo taken—not even when I was younger and thinner. In fact, avoiding the camera has always been something of a personal mission.
However, as a real estate agent, having a professional headshot is unavoidable. My current photo, which I actually liked, was recently deemed “unflattering” by my business manager. Apparently, it didn’t align with the polished, uniform look of the rest of the team. But as a rural agent, I don’t feel the need to match the branding of residential agents—it’s a completely different market! Nonetheless, the decision was made, and a new photo session was scheduled.
The Photo Shoot Experience
The location? A park that happens to be home to several homeless people—an entirely different concern of its own. But I showed up, determined to get it over with.
Now, let me be clear: I am not photogenic. I know my angles, and I made specific requests—no full-body shots, a slight angle to soften my features. But the photographer had other ideas. Full-body shots, awkward poses, and angles that did nothing to flatter me. My business manager gushed about how “amazing” the photos were, but I felt deflated. It was as if my concerns hadn’t been heard at all. By the end of the session, I was so disheartened that I wanted to scrap the whole idea of using a photo altogether.
The Wake-Up Call
As much as I wanted to blame the photographer, the real issue wasn’t just the photos—it was my own denial.
I’ve spent years avoiding the reality of my weight gain, especially over the last six months. Seeing those pictures forced me to confront something I had been pushing aside. If I had truly acknowledged my weight gain earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so blindsided. Instead, it hit me like a ton of bricks, undoing much of the progress I had made in improving my self-image.
I wish I didn’t put so much focus on how I looked, but being in the public eye makes that difficult. And while today I feel disappointed, I also feel determined. It’s time to stop making excuses and start prioritizing my health again.
Turning Discomfort Into Action
Had I not seen those photos, I might have continued telling myself:
- “I don’t feel that out of shape.”
- “I’ll start eating better tomorrow.”
- “I’ll go for a walk later.”
Excuses upon excuses.
No wonder I’m constantly exhausted. No wonder I struggle with digestion. The truth is, neglecting my health is catching up with me. But instead of letting this realization push me further into negativity, I’m choosing to use it as motivation.
Sometimes, the very thing we dread the most is what forces us into action. For me, that dreaded photo shoot turned into a much-needed wake-up call. It’s time to take control, get back on track, and prioritize feeling good—inside and out.
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