Shayann Michaela

I went in to get headshots done and was told to not wear makeup. Those of you who know me know that I don’t wear makeup anyway, besides mascara. If I leave my house, I always have mascara on. I looked in the mirror before I left, all natural, and started to get worried.

Once I got to the studio, I felt fine and in my element. But looking at my pictures was another thing. They were sent to me, and the first thing I did was cringe. Not because of the photographer, but because of my face. That sounds harsh, but I felt like I looked so different and tired. Which I did look tired, I always do. There is no way of changing that.

I went in to meet with the photographer and pick out a couple more pictures. As she pulled them up on her computer, I started to feel a little better about the pictures. And then it hit me.

I’m so used to seeing myself one way, that it completely freaked me out when I saw myself naturally. It took me a moment to see my beauty without one simple thing on my face. It’s crazy to me how some mascara can change my confidence.

My point in telling this story is that I am going to start seeing the beauty in myself, no matter how I look. Even on my bad days there is something good.

How do you see past what you think are flaws, but others see as perfections?

Photos taken by Adventure Photo Studios.