• START HERE!
    • ABOUT CARLY
    • CONTACT
  • FASHION
  • BODY POSITIVITY
  • GIRL POWER
  • SD LIFE
  • DISNEY
  • SHOP MY INSTAGRAM
  • SHOP MY FAVES

Lipgloss and Crayons

Body Positivity

Being a Total Boss: Why I Don’t Photoshop My Pictures

Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles)………

This post was sponsored by Total Wireless through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write a post about Total Wireless, all opinions are my own.
Body Positivity: Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles).........

‘ve been dying to share my thoughts about this……so when Total Wireless asked me to share a time I felt proud of myself and confident…..I decided it was time to spill the beans. 

Here's the deal……I DON'T PHOTOSHOP MY PHOTOS, and I'm going to tell you why.  To be clear (as you may have noticed)…..we often work with photographers to take our pictures.  They're extremely talented, and are able to create stunning images that just don't require a ton of corrective work.  But, when we started working with each of them…..I was very clear about one thing.  I didn't want to be retouched.  Adjusting the lighting in pictures or sharpening the exposure? Totally fine.  But here's what I don't do: shave an inch off my hips and thighs, soften the wrinkles around my eyes, or even remove that double chin you see when I'm laughing at Lydia in pictures.

Body Positivity: Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles).........

Shop our Outfits
Carly: / dress / jacket / shoes / leather earrings /
Lydia: / dress / socks / sneakers /
pictures by Maile Mason

Body Positivity: Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles).........

Let me tell you, there are times when it's tempting.  I'd happily take an inch (or two) off my hips, or remove a double chin.  But I want to be clear about why I've chosen not to do this type of editing on my pictures.  The internet is WEIRD.  We draw conclusions about each other based on what we see.  I can't tell you how many emails I've gotten about how perfectly behaved my daughter is, or how perfect my life seems….all based on some snapshots.  Note the word PERFECT here.  That's the part that bugs me.  None of us are perfect.  Not me, not my daughter, and certainly not my thighs.  And implying perfection is DEFINITELY not my goal here in my little piece of the internet.  In fact, my goal is the opposite.  I want to connect.  I want to relate.  I want to make mom friends in other parts of the country (and the world) I never would have met otherwise.

One of the biggest compliments I receive when I meet people who read our blog? “You are EXACTLY like you are on the internet.”  That's the goal, people.  To be myself.  And that includes wider thighs, wrinkles, and yes…..double chins in pictures because I'm laughing.  But I'll take it.  And I'll take the fact that I feel comfortable in my own skin when I meet YOU, because…..you already know ME.

And bonus? I feel comfortable and confident when meeting new people.  Because, I’m presenting my real self.  And that feels amazing.  Confidence is an amazing attribute, isn’t it?  I challenge you to think about what will help you feel more confident in YOUR life.

 Body Positivity: Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles).........

Confidence is key in many areas of life (not just in pictures)…..and I love that Total Wireless celebrates confidence in women.  They teamed up with a group of us to talk about how we find total confidence in all areas of OUR lives…..mirrored by the total confidence THEY want to give their customers when they get the best deal in wireless.  The Total Wireless Shared data* Family Plan allows you to get four lines on America’s largest, most dependable 4G LTE† network for only $25 per line, per month.  Total Wireless gives you unlimited talk and text, plus 25 gigs of shared* high-speed data.  That way you can text your own team of girl bosses when you're feeling less than secure!

For more info, visit : totalwireless.com

Thank you to Total Wireless for encouraging confident behavior in female leaders and sponsoring this post.

*The 30-Day cycle for Shared Data Family Plans begins on the day the first line/device is activated. Any line(s)/device(s) activated later in the first 30-Day cycle will receive only the number of days remaining in that cycle.† To get 4G LTE speed where available you must have a 4G LTE capable device and a 4G LTE SIM card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Please refer always to the latest Terms and Conditions of Service at TotalWireless.com.

Body Positivity: Why I Don't Photoshop My Pictures (or my hips, thighs, or wrinkles).........

5 Comments

Subscribe to L&C Weekly!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Michelle Tamasa says

    November 7, 2017 at 7:04 am

    I appreciate that you’re pictures are genuine! Much of your content is fashion and I love being able to see what it looks like on real life!

    Reply
    • carly says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      Aw thank you Michelle! I’m so glad you feel that way!

      Reply
  2. the cape on the corner says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:42 am

    it never occurred to me that bloggers, as in REGULAR people here, whether you wanna call yourself an influencer or what, are photoshopping inches or double chins. not only does all of this create unattainable ideals for little girls, and grown ass women who might feel inferior, but we are creating unrealistic ideals that boys and men are looking for. ugh, this is so disheartening. but of course, kudos to you for keeping it real, especially for your daughter!
    b

    Reply
    • carly says

      November 7, 2017 at 6:42 pm

      AMEN, I totally agree!

      Reply
  3. Rosie says

    January 11, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    One reason I don’t photoshop my pictures, too, is I don’t have the software. I’ve noticed magazines elongate figures so much if you look at their hand sometimes it looks disfigured. I was seeing your pictures and thinking how very pretty you are, and a very cute shape, too. This whole thing of ‘shopping pictures has gotten out of control. Even things like botox, some of the stars, notice how their forehead falls down into their eyes and makes their upper face droop down, I could name a few. They use too much, it is overkill! We want to be confident not by relying on so much phoney baloney!

    Reply
Previous Holiday Dresses: Cold Shoulder Dress
Next Holiday Dresses: White Sweater Dress

Related Posts

Why Is Your Face So Red?

11 Must Watch Self Love Movies

Body Changes: How to Talk to Your Daughter

Health Struggles: My Thyroid Condition

Primary Sidebar

Search

NEW? START HERE

DISCLAIMER

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Five years ago. This exact place. Robbie had jus Five years ago.  This exact place.  Robbie had just finished two years of grad school.  And it had been a long, tough two years.  That year involved one major teacher strike in my district, many many many jobs and gigs for both of us, minimal time off together, a whole lot of unknowns and a whole lot of stress.The Disney and Aulani team probably had no idea that they were giving us the gift of much needed peaceful time together when they invited us on a trip to this magical place.  A trip that….to be honest, was beyond our means at the time.  We cherished every moment. A lot has happened since then.  A move, buying a house, seeing those years of hard work pay off.  And now….we did it.  We’re back.  Lazy river here we come. TLDR? If you’re in the thick of it, I see you.  We’ve been there. Family, Welcome Home……we did it.  Aulani for the week.
Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled muscle? I should have known better.  When training for my race, I didn’t stretch or warm up enough most days and….here we are.Lesson learned.  I’m 4 weeks post race (do not recommend running a 10k on a pulled muscle) and I’m……almost better.  I’m learning to stretch and walk and to take better care of myself so that I can start running again REALLY soon (we’re almost there I think).For now? I’m doing recovery walks and trying to strengthen my leg.  And trying to make sure I get enough protein.  When I talked about Built Bars on my stories, a LOTTTTT of you raced about their Puffs.  Yup, I get it.  They’re AMAZING.  I’ve been bringing them along on my walks (and gluten free friends….they have some great options for us).Have you ever pulled a muscle? What was recovery like for you?#youGOTTAtrythis #BUILTProtein #BUILT #BUILTbar partner
💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zo 💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zoo (and swipe to the end for a close up)⠀⠀🌴Coming to San Diego for Spring Break or a Summer Vacation?⠀⠀📍Let’s talk San Diego Zoo (and yes, I got off a plane yesterday, picked up Lydia and we spent the afternoon at the zoo…..it was LOVELY).⠀⠀A few things to help you plan visits to San Diego and the Zoo:⠀1️⃣ the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are NOT close together.  The Zoo is close to downtown, the Safari Park is about 25 miles north.  I’d suggest one day at each.  They’re totally unique and both worth a visit.  The Safari Park is smaller, but has REALLY unique exhibits (Walkabout Australia is my favorite).⠀2️⃣ both have some really fun and unique dining experiences that you can reserve in advance: Albert’s at the Zoo is a FANCY and fun sit down option, and The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook at the Safari Park is great for happy hour or a fun lunch ⠀3️⃣ there are great kids play areas at both locations, the Wildlife Explorers Base Camp area at the San Diego Zoo is brand new and absolutely amazing⠀⠀✨ Now, a bonus tip.  Undercover Tourist now has NATIONWIDE savings on over 500 attractions in 50 cities and up to 25% on tickets for theme parks, zoo, museums, aquariums, city tours, water parks, and movie tickets. And the deals they have for San Diego?  AMAZING (I’m sharing details in my stories).⠀⠀@themeparkfrog #UncoverSavingsNationwide #ad
In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the b In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the bridge without permission.⠀⠀I grew up about 20 minutes from San Francisco, on the OTHER side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, you know that opening scene in Full House where they’re driving across the bridge? I was on the other side of that.  And one of MOST parents’ rules where I grew up? No going into the city without permission.  Sorry mom and dad, it’s been long enough…..now I can disclose that we broke that rule constantly.⠀⠀San Francisco is my favorite city.  It’s intimate and moody and filled with history and some of the best food in the world.  It reminds me of childhood trips to the zoo and Golden Gate Park, it reminds me of my first apartment after college and my first serious relationship.  It reminds me of 22 year old carefree nights with friends and milkshakes at Mels in high school and coffee in North Beach and nights in the Marin Headlands (the closest we were supposed to get to the bridge).⠀⠀So when I had the opportunity to spend 20 hours in my city by the Bay? I took it.⠀⠀Photo Diary:⠀1) nothing like a hotel room to yourself ⠀2) basically drove through a monsoon in San Diego yesterday to make it to the airport⠀3) through the fog? You can see the Golden Gate Bridge⠀4) SFO ⠀5) drove right through North Beach where my mom lived until she was 2, and texted her this photo of a church where she remembers going to weddings as a child⠀6) dinner with Dove, talking about the importance of diversity and representation in gaming avatars ⠀7 and 8) anyone else got a roblox fan in their house? Dove is changing the game (pun intended) and we love to see it.⠀⠀Have you been to San Francisco?
Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer? What’s your ideal?⠀Figured this was a good day to ask since….I’m boarding a plane this morning for a VERY quick trip.⠀❤️Over on stories, we are playing this or that. We’re making this a regular little weekly coffee chat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀☕️So, five of you will get a coffee on me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Want to join in?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀1) like this post⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀2) answer the polls in stories⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀3) tag a friend in comments, or tell me what your ideal vacation looks like, and how you’d get there!
  • Collaborate
  • Speaking
  • Contact Carly
  • PRESS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fashion
  • Body Positivity
  • Girl Power
  • SD Life
  • Disney
  • Travel
  • Highlights

© 2019 LIPGLOSS AND CRAYONS  |  SITE DESIGN: MLL DESIGN STUDIO  & FUZE BRANDING