The Art of Observing Yourself

Boudoir Photography, Scotland

One of the most common things I hear after a boudoir session isn't "I love these photos." It's "I don't recognise myself, in the best possible way."

And then, a few weeks later: "I keep coming back to them."

That second moment, the returning, is what this post is about. Because seeing yourself in a photograph, really seeing yourself, is its own art form. And like any art form, it gets easier with practice.

Photographs have this unique power to stop time, to freeze a frame of ourselves. However, for many of us, this freeze-frame experience can become a magnifying glass for our insecurities. 

Instead of seeing the full picture, we hyperfocus on our perceived flaws, allowing them to overshadow our entire being. 

There is a certain art to being able to observe yourself, to see beyond the distortions created by that inner critic. That is exactly what we are here to explore during your boudoir photography experience in our studio in Glasgow. If you'd like to understand how that shift in self-perception connects to confidence and healing, this post goes deeper into exactly that.

So how do we go about this when we’ve been taught from such a young age to critique ourselves?

Take the Time

Don't rush through the process of viewing your photographs on your phone; instead, carve out dedicated time. Brew yourself a comforting beverage, settle into a cosy space, and allow yourself the luxury of admiring yourself. Whether it's five minutes or a whole day, invest the time that feels right for you to sit with your photographs.

Remember What These Photographs Actually Are

These are not passport photos. They are not snapshots taken on a night out, or a photo someone posted of you before you could object.

These photographs were created in a space built entirely around you: your comfort, your story, your truth. Every single one was taken in a moment where you were seen with intention and care.

When the inner critic shows up, and it will, try to hold onto that. These photographs were made with love. They deserve to be received the same way.

Acknowledge your Thoughts

When negative thoughts arise or you find yourself focusing on your insecurities, acknowledge them. Those feelings are valid! But it is important to understand that they don’t define you. They are learned beliefs that you’ve picked up in your life along the way.  Acknowledge them, then deliberately shift your focus to what you do appreciate about yourself. If you'd like to prepare yourself mentally before your experience, this post walks you through exactly how to do that.

At the start, it might feel really strange, perhaps even weird, to look for something that you like. The more you do this, the more it becomes a practice to actually compliment yourself when you see a photograph.

There is only one of you and only one of those amazing bodies. Treat yourself as you would your best friend, offering yourself kindness and encouragement.

You are in control of your body and thoughts, not this inner critic.

Take more Time

Perhaps you are just not in a great mindset right now to look at these intimate photos, and that is okay! Take time away from them, a day, a week, a month, a year. The more time you take to step away from them, the softer your eyes will become when you decide to pick them up again.

Remember how you felt about those awkward teenage photos at that moment? How do you look at them now? Probably with a lot more fondness and care.

Take the time to pick up the photographs whenever you like.  Over time, you will see different things you like in the photographs than you saw at first.

Dare to Ask for Help

Sometimes we just need to hear from others what they see in the photographs. Ask your best friend, your partner, your parent, anyone that you trust, to come sit down with you and look at the photographs together. What do they see? I’m sure they will absolutely hype you up, giving you the chance to give that inner critic the back seat. And if you've spent a long time giving everything to everyone else, this post was written for exactly that feeling.

Practice and Practice

If you haven't yet had your session, if you're reading this because you're curious about what it might feel like to have photographs of yourself that you actually want to look at, that's where we begin.

The boudoir photography experience at Marieke Captures is designed precisely for this. Not to make you look a certain way. But to show you how you already look, through eyes that see you clearly.

And when you receive your photographs, I hope you'll come back to this post. Brew something warm. Sit somewhere cosy. And give yourself the time you deserve.

You can really start looking at yourself in photographs with softer eyes, the more you do it. Pick them up, be kind, and let it rest. Pick them up again, and repeat. You are slowly re-wiring your brain to get rid of all these negative thoughts. There will be a day that you truly see yourself for the amazing work of art that you are. Curious what that looks like? The gallery is a good place to start.

When you feel ready to explore what's involved, all packages and pricing are here.

What if this was the moment you finally saw yourself differently? I'd love to be part of that.