Social media framing: we are not picture perfect. Are we?
Last week I drove my car into the gate of my home. When it happened I was horrified, I felt humiliated and then I got really pissed off at myself. Then I had to drive to the police station. (When you live in Oman you must get police reports to document everything if you want your comprehensive insurance to cover anything.) I almost posted photos of my skills and the humor of the police station trip on all of my social media forums. Almost.
I look really short. And small. “Lost in white space.”
How many of you post photos you don’t like of yourself on social media? How many of you post your goof ups?
For the most part, I’m hearing crickets. Why? It’s no different than in “real life:” we want to put our best selves forward.
Today I’m going to show you some of my not so best self. Why? Because I’m tired of people feeling they have to reach the unreachable by setting standards according to limited and curated social media posts of their friends and family. Because I’m starting to feel cornered into only posting certain kinds of content. And that is not the spirit with which I intend to use social media.
Artist Strong encourages you to take risks, to have creative play in your life, and to embrace your creative dreams. That kind of ride is not easy peasy. There are bumps, potholes, black ice. There are also rainbows, clear skies, and parts of the road with no traffic. It is through traveling in all kinds of weather and on all different roads that we find our creative selves. It is through acknowledging and embracing those bumps in the road, or in my example, the dents in my garage gate, that we remember our imperfection, hopefully laugh a little, and can then utilize that spirit when we are being creative.
When I decided to redesign Artist Strong, I created my own photo shoot. It was me, my camera, a tripod, remote clicker, and some music. It also involved a lot of makeup, change of clothes, props (flute, paintbrushes, etc.) and an empty house. There was NO WAY I was showing my husband the photos I took. I could already hear the affectionate and playful teasing coming from him. I didn’t even tell him which day I was taking photos for fear he’d come home early. I already had visions of my neighbor dropping by and seeing my setup. 10 AM and in a cocktail dress? Oman is a pretty casual dressing place for expats. I could already see the stories in this small city spread. Clearly, the whole experience was a vulnerable one for me.
“Walk like an Egyptian…”
I took 3000 photographs. I’m not exaggerating. The remote started just taking shots randomly and that was easier to work with. I let it run once I knew I was in the frame and tried to get as many angles of my face as possible. Some were good. Others…lots of others… were not so good.
Despite my feeling of vulnerability in showing you them, I want you to see them! Some are funny and worth a laugh. Others, I want to show you just so you see the fruits of labor that come with practice and time. I want you to see how many bad photos I had before I selected the 3 good ones that now reside on my home page.
Don’t let other people’s best photos of their travels, their artistic process, their art, their writing, their creative successes, their homes, whatever it is, hold you back from whatever YOU want to do.
Seriously impressed in this image. I look like I’m scolding a student. Or about to…
If you feel jealousy or start to feel down about your own life because of other people putting their best foot forward, you don’t have to unfriend them. Unfollow them on Facebook (you are still friends), or take a hiatus from social media! The kind of negative thinking that comes from “keeping up with the Joneses” hinders the mental space we need as creatives to create, so give yourself the space to start thinking again!
BE COURAGEOUSLY CREATIVE: How have you curated your own social media? What messages do you convey to your “readership?” How can you reinforce your desire for creative risk-taking in the social media you use? Tell me in the comments below, I want to know!
Reminds me of the many takes I do for my piano videos on YouTube, haha.
I think it’s very important to know that people’s lives aren’t as perfect as they seem in these photos. And also, showing your vulnerable side by posting those unglam ones at times helps with making more genuine connections with your tribe.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all regularly posted some “bloopers” to show people how much we work towards the finished projects we create?
Hi Carrie:
Congratulations on this article and creation of photos that capture one’s attention. You have offered big doses of encouragement for artists to take risks which is no doubt welcomed by many. Thank you.
I recall in university in the art studio classes the instructors arranging for students to critique another student’s work before the class. Yes you guessed it, students were pushed down in their development as opposed to moving upward. The art and science of evaluation errors on the side of bringing out the best of people: identify areas requiring attention and how best to address them. And above all:take risks without throwing judgement out the window! Perhaps a future topic for you to ponder!
Oh by the way, where in Canada does your husband originate from?
Hi Bruce,
Thanks. I hope I have encouraged risk-taking and the trial and error that is so important to creative process. My uni classes were similar, few professors managed to create a safe enough environment for genuine questioning and support of one another’s work. Hoards of students in the larger intro classes remained silent because it was a risk to be in the class at all! I wish we could all better embrace that vulnerability. It is a constant project for me.
Interesting notion, how do we take risks and still cultivate the reflection needed to develop works to “finished” pieces?
My hubby was born and raised in the “bustling” metropolis of Salmon Arm, BC. Such beautiful countryside!!! 🙂
Best wishes to you Bruce!
I like your honesty and courage Carrie. You go girl!
Thanks John I appreciate it 🙂
Carrie I think Joseph is one lucky man. It is good to get to know you a little better.
God Bless you both!!
James thanks so much I like to think so! Hehe. Thank you for reading a bit of my Artist Think. 🙂
So open and refreshing to see you sharing like this Carrie! I so know what you mean about the curated nature of these things. I took a LOT of photos to get my few for the website too. Some were horrible! Great message in that when we compare we are not comparing like for like, I think this is something we all struggle with at different times.
Hi Michaela, Thanks so much. I agree, it’s hard not to compare, in day to day like as well as on social media. But we never really know the whole story of someone else, do we? Hopefully you got some giggles out of my shots. Part of me thinks it’d be hilarious to start a site or hashtag for bloggers to showcase their bloopers. 🙂