Question:
Dislike pictures

Ever since I remember I have hated having pictures taken of me. I try to avoid them whenever possible. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and how I can get over it.    — Lois M. (posted on June 10, 2004)

June 10, 2004
Lois, like you I am 38 too. I think all of us at one time or another have hated having our picture taken. I hated it because it reminded me of how fat I had become. I did take pictures of myself at 3, 6, 9, and 1 year post op. This helped me see visually the progression of my weight loss. Recently I was in a group picture for the first time since WLS and if you would have asked me I would have said that I was the same size or bigger than everyone else in the picture. Well when the picture came back I was stunned. I was so tiny compared to all the other people int he picture. It has helped me with my mental picture of myself.
   — jmusser

June 10, 2004
I have never liked having my picture taken, even when I was skinny.
   — Jazzy

June 10, 2004
Just wait until you have plastic surgery. I had to stand totally naked and sagging, while this attractive plastic surgeon is on his knees in front of me marking me ALL over the front with marking pens. you get over it or totally die of embarrassment. At least there is a God and I didn't fart. He then took pictures. The "after" pix weren't near as embarrassing...at least I wasn't sagging.
   — Connie M.

June 11, 2004
I can so relate. I was always the photographer. One way to get over it is have a good friend take photos of you using a digital camera. Pretend you are model and try on different outfits. If it is an intimate friend, let them take a full body naked shot with the digital. Have them give you the camera. Then you sit and look. Then take pictures in the same outfits for the next six months on the same day of the month. You will have something to compare and come to appreciate. I HATED having my pictures and now I have gotten more comfortable. You can see my comparisons at .picturetrail.com/ann (put the www in front). I wish you the best. It does get better with time. I have avoided cameras for 45 years of my life. Ann in TX
   — Ann B.

June 11, 2004
How well I know you're feelings. I am the photographer and have tried my best to destroy any picture with me in it. I keep hoping that I'll get over it by the time I get to my goal weight. I have a wonderful grandson that I want to have a picture taken with. I have only one picture of me with my own child and it was when he was 4 years old. Now, he's 26 and he'll never have pictures of us together. I hate that, but even now, I'd not change anything because whenever I see myself in pictures it just emphasizes how ugly I truly am.
   — Katherine F.

September 12, 2006
how to display my pictures
   — fredrica brent