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Embracing Confidence Through Photography: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Guest Blog by Justine Blanchard, Body Confidence Wellness

Table of Contents hide
1 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.
1.1 In much the same way, photography offers an opportunity for us to see ourselves in a new light.
Embracing Confidence Through Photography: A Journey of Self-Discovery

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.

Woman holding hands on shoulder as a self-love act

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?

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After 15 years, so much of what I do is on autopilot.

I look for the gorgeous light and read the baby. I know when to wait and when to act. And I do it without thinking.

But the moment someone is beside me, watching, learning, everything slows down. I have to find words for things I stopped noticing years ago. And in doing that, I remember how it felt at the beginning. The insecurities. The fear of getting it wrong. The weight of feeling like you should already know. The comparison with others.

Teaching reminds me how much courage it takes to learn something new and how gently we should treat ourselves while we do.

If you are starting out, in any field, well done. Truly. I know how hard and lonely those first steps can be. But you don’t have to take them alone.

And if you are a photographer thinking about a one to one newborn training day in my Twickenham studio,I would love to be part of your journey.
Link in bio.

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 17949340839173898
After 15 years, so much of what I do is on autopilot. I look for the gorgeous light and read the baby. I know when to wait and when to act. And I do it without thinking. But the moment someone is beside me, watching, learning, everything slows down. I have to find words for things I stopped noticing years ago. And in doing that, I remember how it felt at the beginning. The insecurities. The fear of getting it wrong. The weight of feeling like you should already know. The comparison with others. Teaching reminds me how much courage it takes to learn something new and how gently we should treat ourselves while we do. If you are starting out, in any field, well done. Truly. I know how hard and lonely those first steps can be. But you don’t have to take them alone. And if you are a photographer thinking about a one to one newborn training day in my Twickenham studio,I would love to be part of your journey. Link in bio.

Six weeks ago I shared a glimpse behind the scenes of this session. Today, you get to see what we made.

She arrived with her props already chosen.

Nude stockings. The kind her mother wore. The ones women mended rather than replaced.

She knew exactly what she wanted to say.
My job was simply to hold the space and let her say it.

This is what a portrait session can be.
Not a makeover or a way to fit an idea of beauty. But a conversation between a woman and her own story, made visible.

Dyana is an artist, activist and doula. She explores identity, the body, and everything that lives between and beyond definition.

I am grateful I had the chance to photograph her.

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 17861247726689326
Six weeks ago I shared a glimpse behind the scenes of this session. Today, you get to see what we made. She arrived with her props already chosen. Nude stockings. The kind her mother wore. The ones women mended rather than replaced. She knew exactly what she wanted to say. My job was simply to hold the space and let her say it. This is what a portrait session can be. Not a makeover or a way to fit an idea of beauty. But a conversation between a woman and her own story, made visible. Dyana is an artist, activist and doula. She explores identity, the body, and everything that lives between and beyond definition. I am grateful I had the chance to photograph her.

Tomorrow I have a newborn session and a 1:1 training day with a photographer travelling from Switzerland to spend the day with me.

But before any of that, the work had already started.
It starts with a conversation. Learning about your birth, your family, how things have been since you came home. Then comes the studio prep, making sure the space is warm, clean and ready for someone very new to the world, with attention to every small thing that makes a family feel safe and held.

After 15 years, this is still how I do it. Every time.
That same care is what I pass on when I teach.

If you are a parent looking for a photographer who takes this seriously, or a photographer thinking about training, this is what I stand for.

📩 Links in bio for both.

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18100153727039017
Tomorrow I have a newborn session and a 1:1 training day with a photographer travelling from Switzerland to spend the day with me. But before any of that, the work had already started. It starts with a conversation. Learning about your birth, your family, how things have been since you came home. Then comes the studio prep, making sure the space is warm, clean and ready for someone very new to the world, with attention to every small thing that makes a family feel safe and held. After 15 years, this is still how I do it. Every time. That same care is what I pass on when I teach. If you are a parent looking for a photographer who takes this seriously, or a photographer thinking about training, this is what I stand for. 📩 Links in bio for both.

She almost didn’t come.

She told me she wasn’t feeling confident.
That she didn’t know how to pose.
That maybe I should photograph someone else.

I hear this more than you’d think. From women who are more reserved and introvert but also the ones who are funny and so alive in person. Women who have simply spent too long seeing themselves in a fixed way.

We spent a morning together. Just her, the light, and a space where nothing needed to be fixed or hidden.

The woman in these photos? She was there all along.

If you’ve been telling yourself a similar story, I’d gently ask you this: what if you’re wrong too?

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18093137645180251
She almost didn’t come. She told me she wasn’t feeling confident. That she didn’t know how to pose. That maybe I should photograph someone else. I hear this more than you’d think. From women who are more reserved and introvert but also the ones who are funny and so alive in person. Women who have simply spent too long seeing themselves in a fixed way. We spent a morning together. Just her, the light, and a space where nothing needed to be fixed or hidden. The woman in these photos? She was there all along. If you’ve been telling yourself a similar story, I’d gently ask you this: what if you’re wrong too?

This is the part that gets me every time.

Seeing the images inside the album, in print, held in your hands, is completely different to seeing them on a screen.

They become real in a way a digital file never quite manages.

This little one will grow so fast.

But these pages will stay exactly as they are.

Newborn photography in Richmond and Twickenham.

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Open post by by_valentina with ID 18062378156418997
This is the part that gets me every time. Seeing the images inside the album, in print, held in your hands, is completely different to seeing them on a screen. They become real in a way a digital file never quite manages. This little one will grow so fast. But these pages will stay exactly as they are. Newborn photography in Richmond and Twickenham.
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VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Richmond, I work with families across London to capture life’s most meaningful milestones through portrait photography.