Our perception of ourselves is often shaped by reflections, whether in mirrors, photos, or art. However, these representations can differ significantly from reality. While mirrors and cameras serve as tools, they don’t always offer accurate depictions of our true appearance. This disparity can be especially noticeable when comparing selfies and filtered images to unedited photographs.
To gain a better understanding of how others perceive you, I recommend booking a makeup and photography session. This experience can provide valuable insights into how your appearance translates through the lens of a camera and the eyes of others.
At the conclusion of a makeup session, I present my clients with a handheld mirror, unveiling my interpretation of their vision fused with their natural canvas (face). Their reaction and response convey profound insights into their self-perception. Clients often experience a mix of emotions when seeing themselves through professional makeup artistry. They may yearn to transform and embrace a new persona while also grappling with the reluctance to deviate from their usual routine.
I recently tuned in to an intriguing conversation with a professor and visual artist specializing in portrait commission paintings. She shared her insights on working with clients, noting that they often struggled to express their desires clearly. “The only thing they were ever sure of was what they didn’t want,” she remarked. Despite attempts to articulate their vision, there was often a disconnect between their expectations and the artist’s interpretation. Even when working on traditional canvas rather than a person’s face, the clients found the colors too intense or too subdued, showcasing the complexities of artistic collaboration.
At an 80-year-old man’s portrait unveiling, his wife’s immediate exclamation was, “Oh, my God- He’s bald!” She expressed disappointment that the portrait did not depict him with hair, despite his baldness in reality.
“People just have strange ideas about what they think they look like or what they should look like. Some clients felt as if they were being shown their mortality if I included a couple wrinkles on their faces in their portraits, even if they have them in real life.” -Clara Lieu (View around the 18 minute mark).
We are composed of so much beauty others have the fortune of viewing.
What emotions arise when you see yourself through someone else’s lens, and how do they shape your sense of identity?