The Beauty of Authenticity

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” ― Carl Jung

When people have the courage to let down their guard and step from behind their masks, beauty emerges. Capturing that precise moment in a photograph is what I aspire to every time I pick up a camera. It’s an elusive goal and chasing it, like the effort to drop my own mask, will be my life’s work.

I had a very cute, authentic moment with my friends and clients, Vanessa and Michael, recently when we were doing a photo shoot at their home with their beautiful daughter, Rea, and Michael’s mom, Jill, who beams with pride at her son and his family. After taking lots of pictures of Rea and her “Gaga,” we gave them a little break, and Vanessa and Michael wanted some of themselves since we hadn’t managed to get a great one during our last shoot. We did a couple of posed shots, and I wanted to take some candids, so I said, “Relax. Shake it out. Just be yourselves.” Vanessa didn’t miss a beat. Turning to Michael,  she quipped, “You need to weed in the garden back here,” and Michael responded, “Will you please stop nagging me?!” They both turned towards me and said, “You said be ourselves!” The three of us laughed hysterically, and we got some terrific shots that afternoon. Upon reflection, that simple, funny moment made me feel like an insider in their private world. It’s clear to see that Vanessa and Michael’s love is strong – They really like each other! And their ability to laugh together probably makes even the hard moments easier, and worthwhile.

For me, discovering those moments makes photography worthwhile. My strategy is simple: the more I step out from behind my own mask, the more comfortable others are around me, and the more likely they will trust the moment enough to show their authentic selves. Maybe this kind of chain reaction is what we all need more of, a more authentic world where we can all be free to live out loud.

To find additional pictures, please go to smu.gs/L1Mm5u