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.

‘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.

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

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.

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.