Rikki Rivera | Photographer » Wedding & Portrait Photography

Don’t be discouraged

_RKR8553

Being discouraged comes around so easily in life. I am incredibly aware of this, therefore, I battle that cloud of self-doubt like it’s my job. I have made it my life’s work (thus far) to study and learn to how to pose myself and others to look their best, because most women feel exactly the same way I do (some men too) when in front of the camera. I can’t help but feel humored at how many times women jokingly (but seriously) mention photoshopping this part or that part of themselves. I won’t. But what I will do is do my best to get a beautiful laugh and smile to show you how beautiful you are and alleviate that dread, and hopefully, love a photo of yourself.

It’s a shame we are so hard on ourselves, but also, that we either don’t change it or accept it. I am all about making the best of situations, understanding and knowing that it could ALWAYS be worse.  “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.” – Regina Brett

I might hate a photo of myself now, but I’ll be damned if I leave my kids with none. Photos of my parents when they were young are rare in my family. I’ve seen a few, and wow, I love them so much. I definitely don’t see them on a computer, and thankfully, they were printed and passed around. I love seeing what they wore, to see their style, how they smiled, and how they look exactly the same, just with a little more character. It’s so incredibly beautiful, and currently underrated. I take photos of my parents now like it’s cool. They hated it at first, tons of grumbles about this or that, but I didn’t see it and I didn’t care. I wanted to remember them that very moment. Now, they let me and they are all my favorite. They have the best smiles and when I remember that moment; I will remember how warm and safe they are to me, I will remember the sound of their laugh, I will remember my moms long hair and my dad’s curls. We should never allow photos of ourselves to not be printed or not exist. If you don’t like something, FIX IT. If you can’t or won’t, embrace it. Take that extra few minutes everyday to do your hair, put on a little makeup, think a little more about what you’ll wear, take an early morning walk and start the day off GOOD. It really can make all the difference.

When I am down and out, feeling miserable. I wear something I don’t want to, but that makes me look and feel good. I do my hair and I get outside. I might hate the process, but I always feel so much better when I connect with other people, or heaven forbid… I receive a compliment. Offering compliments are something we should all do more often. I may not be much into makeup, but I can appreciate it, and even compliment my doctor on that beautiful shade of lipstick she was wearing. Her smile beamed across her face. That teeny tiny little effort was so worth it! You should give it a try. Everyday.

Thank you all for reading along. View Day 1 + Day 2 + Day 3 + Day 4 + Day 5 of this blogging challenge.

  • Arica J. Clauson - October 21, 2014 - 6:04 pm

    Great post! I love the part about having pictures of your parents. My parents have been together since they were 16 and seeing pictures of them then is one of my favorite things, a little glimpse into their lives before we were here. Its great that you have that outlook and will make sure your kids have the same thing! 🙂

    Arica, xxo
    http://www.varnakandlollies.com Reply Cancel

  • Sashaographer Holloway - October 21, 2014 - 7:06 pm

    Definitely true and thank you for that huge reminder we all need it, especially getting in FRONT of the camera more. That is something I am finally doing more of, and it does feel good. Reply Cancel

  • Megan Grow McCourt - October 21, 2014 - 8:43 pm

    Absolutely beautiful post! Spot on!!! (Said the girl who just had family portraits taken this weekend and the 1st image I saw, the only thing I could SEE was my double chin. HA!) Reply Cancel

  • Random Little Faves - October 21, 2014 - 9:26 pm

    Beautiful!! I’m loving your posts and this is so spot on. My mom is slowly coming around to letting take her photo, but the second she sees it she finds something about herself to criticize and it just makes me sad that that is all she’ll let herself see! Hopefully she’ll come around like your parents. Good for them for getting more comfortable with things & hats off to you for opening the door for them to accept themselves a little more :). I love that quote too! Copying that into my quote journal! Reply Cancel

  • Torrid Boudoir - October 21, 2014 - 9:27 pm

    This is great! We MUST, as photographers, make sure to include ourselves in the memories of our little ones! There is no better time than now! <3 Reply Cancel

  • Sinead Cartwright - October 21, 2014 - 10:00 pm

    lovely ! i think a lot of photographers forget themselves behind the camera . xx Reply Cancel

  • Azahar - October 21, 2014 - 10:23 pm

    Such a great reminder! I love your quote – we love to compare when in reality everyone has ups and downs. I always have to remind myself of the same, just get up and go outside. It always feels better in the end! xo, Azahar Reply Cancel

  • […] you all for reading along. View Day 1 + Day 2 + Day 3 + Day 4 + Day 5 + Day 6 of this blogging […] Reply Cancel

  • Emily Allison - October 23, 2014 - 8:09 pm

    What a beautiful reminder. 🙂 Thank you for posting this! For so long I never wanted my picture taken. Hence the reason I was always BEHIND the camera. But I understand the importance of it now – especially after having my son. Thank you for sharing your sincere words and you are LOVELY and BEAUTIFUL!!! Lots of love to you. xoxo ~Emily Reply Cancel

  • Emily Allison - October 23, 2014 - 8:09 pm

    What a beautiful reminder. 🙂 Thank you for posting this! For so long I never wanted my picture taken. Hence the reason I was always BEHIND the camera. But I understand the importance of it now – especially after having my son. Thank you for sharing your sincere words and you are LOVELY and BEAUTIFUL!!! Lots of love to you. xoxo ~Emily Reply Cancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*