Last Saturday I headed over to the MFAH Sculpture Garden* to have my picture taken for a book project, The Beauty of Different, that Karen of Chookooloonks is putting together. I love the idea of a book which celebrates those things that make each of us special and unique. I think there’s a temptation to spend too much of our lives trying to be like other people – to get along, to fit in, or to not rock the boat. A consequence of this “un-difference” is that we may never come into our own selves or know who we, as individuals, have the potential to be. We’re ashamed of those things that make us different, and shame is a corrosive life force which serves no real purpose. When we’re different we’re ourselves at our best.
I have no idea if Karen agrees with this idea or if it’s included in the thesis of her book, but it’s why I participated. Your mileage may vary.
* If you’re ever in Houston on a nice day (generally October-April) and looking for a relaxing afternoon spot to read, take photos, or people watch, I highly recommend the MFAH Sculpture Garden.
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On to more practical matters: usually getting my picture taken makes me want to hurl. I worry about what the pictures will look like. Will I look like a dork? What if I’ve got a double chin and a huge zit? What if my eyes squint all up and my teeth stick out like they did before I had braces? What if the anxiety coursing through my veins shows up on film (in pixels!) as a cold and rigid disposition? What if the dimple in my cheek catches shadows and makes my face look deformed like that time in my 10th grade pictures? What if I look FAT?! (Quelle horreur!)
Why did I want to do this again?
Outtake of yours truly from The Beauty of Different photo shoot. Photo by Karen Waldrond.
As it turns out, I had little to be worried about. Karen is a charming person – tall and statuesque with an easy smile. She takes great photos. And, she has great boots! See:
Photo by my former co-worker, Brian Garcia.
I spent most of the 10 minutes she took my picture nervously giggling and chatting with the group. In our short time together, I discovered that Karen and I will both be speaking at the Mom 2.0 Summit in February, which I’m looking forward to.
As for the final photo and what makes me different, you’ll have to wait to find out what it is when the book comes out Fall 2010. I will say that my picture turned out great and captures my personality well. My experience is one that fundamentally affected my life’s perspective and is one of the many things that makes me “different.”
Who knows if I’ll be in the book or not, but the entire experience was delightful – thanks, Karen.
(More outtakes from The Beauty of Different Photo Shoot are available over at Chookooloonks. Karen says such sweet things about us all.)
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