Loving Yourself—Flaws and All
This month women across the country anxiously await a heart-shaped box of chocolates for one of two reasons: they either can’t wait to receive them as a sign of affection, or they secretly fear they’ll eat the entire box. The struggle is real.
The latter camp imagines the chocolates going right to their hips, thighs, or other self-perceived flaw, therefore adding more work to their never ending DIY body project. But what if we all used the energy we typically spend hating our bodies and put it towards accepting and loving them as they are? Maybe there’s hope, with an opportune self-love movement being led by everyone from A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence to Verily Magazine, which has set a “no Photoshop” precedence.
Another huge advocate of “loving the skin you’re in” is Christa Meola, who believes that every woman deserves to see her true beauty. As an internationally recognized photographer and the author of the The Art of Boudoir Photography, Meola has spent years photographing women’s bodies both wrapped in Marchesa or wearing nothing but a smile.
Not only has Meola perfected how to light a subject just so, she’s also a master at helping women feel confident and beautiful while completely letting their guard down. She recently decided to lower that guard another notch by saying au revoir to Photoshop, wanting to reveal her subject’s innate beauty, flaws and all. With the ever-present retouching we see everywhere from the media to Instagram, this is a bold move. Christa explains why she made this change, and what she believes makes women truly come alive—not only on camera, but in real life.
Danielle Diamond: What is your philosophy when it comes to photographing women, and how has it changed?
Christa Meola: I like to focus on what the woman most loves about herself, her body, her personality; and I work to capture that in a flattering way. I also look for variety in emotion and moods, because women have many; and they are all beautiful! I still work like this, except for one major change. I no longer retouch women’s pictures before they see them.
DD: That’s huge, especially since retouching has become the norm. Why now?
CM: I truly believe that we are all beautiful just as we are. In the past, I would tell my clients that in person, but then go home and Photoshop their pictures simply because I could make them “better.” I was caught in a habit that is industry-specific, but never felt aligned and wasn’t completely happy with what I was putting out there. Once I figured out what wasn’t aligned, I became a better artist and a better woman.
DD: Why was this shift so important to you, and how do you see it as significant to women in general?
CM: This way of working is what suits me and my beliefs, but there is nothing wrong with creating fantasy. Creating whatever you feel your best beauty is—that’s what’s important. For me personally, it’s being genuine and as natural as possible. For the next woman, it could be getting dressed to the nines and getting glammed up with hair, make up, great lighting, and Photoshop.
DD: What has the response been so far?
CM: Incredible! Show a woman her real beauty, and you will create raving fans.
DD: Do you think mainstream media will follow your lead?
CM: Absolutely! There has already been a major shift, particularly on the internet. Women are showing and sharing radical body and self-love; refusing to be Photoshopped, and calling it out when they are. Plus, more and more beauty and fashion companies are following suit.
DD: How do women react when they see their pictures now versus when you retouched their self-proclaimed flaws?
CM: They are still happily surprised at the beauty they see; most get quite emotional and even cry. But now they’re also shocked when I say “these are un-retouched.” I can see they sit up straighter, smile, and really take that in; 9 times out of 10, they keep them that way.
DD: What’s your best advice on how to feel confident in front of the camera?
CM: Have fun, because everyone looks their best when they’re having a good time. Most of us get nervous when it’s time for a photo shoot, so it may be difficult at first, but nerves should fade quickly, and you can then relax knowing that “taking a good picture” is the photographer’s job, not yours.
DD: Any beauty rules you live by?
CM: No rules, but definitely a defining guideline: less is more. When it comes to makeup, time invested in fussing about, and beauty products, I’m a minimalist. Just a good blowout makes me feel like a million bucks.
DD: Who did you learn about beauty from?
CM: My mom was my first influence. She was natural, always laughing, and beautiful to me.
DD: What’s the best lesson you ever learned about beauty—and do you still follow it?
CM Everyone has good angles and unflattering ones. And yes! I’m always looking for the most flattering angles.
DD: Favorite photo shoot accessory?
CM: A smile.
DD: What’s your favorite pre-skin baring shoot prep?
CM: A really good moisturizer for days leading up to your shoot. On set, my makeup artist loves using coconut oil, which makes the skin look fantastic. I encourage my clients to avoid fake tanner, because it’s often a disaster, and I much prefer a woman’s natural skin tone.
DD: What’s your favorite beauty product to use on set for women?
CM: Does a fan count? I love creating a slight breeze so there’s movement in the woman’s hair. But if I could only have one product for a photo shoot out of my makeup artist’s kit, it would be lashes! Lashes amplify a woman’s expressiveness and read better on camera.
DD: What’s the best angle to take a selfie?
CM: Play around to find your best angle, but generally it’s from slightly above you for close-ups. And if you’re shooting a full-body shot (in a mirror or by someone else), waist high is usually most flattering.
DD: Favorite photo app?
CM: VSCO cam is my current favorite.
DD: What does real beauty mean to you?
CM: To me, real means authentic, honest, deep. So real beauty means what’s beautiful about you as you are.
DD: Thanks Christa! I think I’m going to go send my cellulite a heart shaped box of chocolate.
CM: Ha! Thank you.
Related:
A Biracial Woman’s International Photoshop Experiment
