Three reasons why you think badly about your body.
The image that was on the cover of The Weekend Australian Magazine.
At the end of last year, I shot the cover for The Weekend Australian Magazine. The brief was simple enough. Mel Sexton was interviewed about a new drug she had been taking, Ozempic, a diabetes drug now being prescribed to people with obesity. Mel has struggled with obesity her whole life and has tried many ways to shift her weight to a healthy size without any luck until Ozempic. The magazine wanted Mel naked, but unfortunately, we were forced to shoot outside her house, so we decided nudity wasn't an option and just went for a tight-fitting dress. Mel was excellent, and we created many joyful portraits of her whilst asking her to hitch up her skirt as much as possible. Unfortunately, some people are abusing this drug and are taking it to be skinny and fit into society. Read more about Mel’s journey here.
Mel Sexton was a trooper on the shoot; we all had fun!
The shoot made me think a lot about body image. I also noticed many women were reaching out via Instagram, commenting that they do not take photos or be in pictures because they hate how they look, which upset me.
Here are three potential reasons why women may feel bad about their appearance:
Societal pressure: Women are often bombarded with societal messages that they must look a sure way to be considered attractive or successful. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Unrealistic portrayal in media: Women are often presented with images of models and celebrities who have been heavily photoshopped or have undergone cosmetic procedures. These unrealistic beauty standards can make women feel they don't measure up.
Lack of diversity: Historically, the fashion and beauty industries have focused on a narrow definition of beauty. This has resulted in a lack of representation of diverse body types and features, making women who don't fit the mould feel like they don't belong.
It's essential to recognise that body image is a complex issue, and there is no "right" way to feel about one's appearance. It's also important to remember that everyone's body is unique and that no one "ideal" body type or shape exists.
Mel was very relaxed considering the circumstances.
Body image can significantly impact self-esteem, mental health, and overall well-being. Various factors, including societal beauty standards, cultural beliefs, personal experiences, and mental health, can influence it. People with a negative body image may feel self-conscious, ashamed, or unhappy with their appearance. Not being in the photo is the least of people's problems because poor body image can lead to horrible outcomes, such as disordered eating, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
On the other hand, having a positive body image means feeling comfortable and confident in one's skin, regardless of societal standards or expectations. This can improve mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.
I recently did a poll on Instagram regarding the issue. Unfortunately, 87% of people don’t show up in photos because they don’t feel comfortable about themselves. I want to try and change this; people should be able to feel good enough to be in the photo. Try some of my tricks and tips and see if that helps! Find them on Instagram and Tiktok, and email me your thoughts here.
Lots of love, Katie
