Guest Blog by Justine Blanchard, Body Confidence Wellness
As a body confidence & wellbeing coach, I’ve always believed in the transformative power of love and acceptance, although it took me a long time to achieve that for myself. Using the following tools helps me on my ever-expanding journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Coaching others through their journey of self-discovery, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible impact that embracing one’s uniqueness can have on confidence and self-esteem.
Let’s explore how photography can be used as a body confidence tool, much like how ‘Mirror work’ and ‘Affirmations’ can serve as powerful tools for empowerment and self-expression.
First, let me tell you a bit more about ‘Mirror Work’ and ‘Affirmations.’ Louise Hay, renowned author and motivational speaker, famously taught mirror work and affirmations as ways to achieve self-love, self-worth, self-belief, acceptance, and more! By looking into the mirror and affirming positive statements about ourselves, we can reprogramme our subconscious mind and gain a deeper sense of ourselves and deeper connections to ourselves.
These practices encourage us to see ourselves through our own lens of love and appreciation. These are tools to help us challenge our negative, and often untrue, perceptions of ourselves, and help us to nurture a more positive image.
In much the same way, photography offers an opportunity for us to see ourselves in a new light.
When we’re in front of the lens as the subject, photography invites us to explore who we are – an expression of our true authentic selves – inside and outside. Through the photographer’s lens, we can capture moments of our lives that celebrate us, our essence, and how far we’ve come.
I often encourage clients to embrace self-expression as a means of sharing their stories and celebrating their journey. Whether through mirror work, affirmations, or photography, the goal remains the same – to build a deeper connection with ourselves and enhance a sense of empowerment from within.
In my own journey, I’ve found photography to be a profoundly empowering experience. Collaborating with talented photographers like Valentina, I’ve had opportunities to explore new depths of self-expression, authenticity, and fun.
From ‘glamour shots’ style experiences with my Mum or friends, to engagement & wedding shoots, to branding shoots, each click of the camera becomes an affirmation of my unique beauty and a celebration of the journey that has brought me to this point.
Just as mirror work and affirmations encourage us to see ourselves through our own lens of love and appreciation, photography offers a tangible reflection of our essence. Whether we’re capturing moments of joy, vulnerability, or strength, each photograph becomes a testament to our passions, our beliefs, our resilience, and our courage.
As we continue our ever-expanding journey of self-discovery and empowerment, let’s remember the transformative power of mirror work, affirmations, and photography. By embracing these practices, we can build a deeper sense of our own love and acceptance. We can continue to empower ourselves, embrace our uniqueness and celebrate the beauty of every age and stage of life.
When was the last time you celebrated yourselves with a photoshoot?
I have recently launched the over-40s experience to celebrate the remarkable women who have reached this stage in life and to capture the essence of who you are – both inside and out.
I’ll be honoured to be part of your journey of rediscovery.
Related article: The Therapeutic Influence of Photos on Daily Well-being
Related article: What’s the Value of a Photograph?
