Snap Me: Generation Selfie

by LindsayRae | Sep 5, 2016 | Uncategorized

It is always a joy to get out in NYC and create some awesome art. With this session we decided that it was time to send a little message to all of the Selfie Haters out there.

Now of course, these images are not self portraits, I took them, but the point remains the same. The haters need to step off women who post and are proud to share pictures of themselves. When did we decide it was ok to hate on those who celebrate themselves, who are proud of how they look? How in the world, with all of the judgement we face on a daily basis, did it become ok to judge other women for actually being ok with themselves?

Let’s talk about this for a second.

In a generation where we are constantly accosted by a media and entertainment industry that sets insane and unrealistic standards for every day beauty, we need to celebrate our fellow sisters who are out there taking pride in themselves.

we need to celebrate our fellow sisters who are out there taking pride in themselves

I think that writer Molly Fosco for her article on selfies for the Huffington Post says it best:

“I’ve heard the criticism that my generation expects too much out of life because many of us are the product of positive reinforcement as a parenting technique. Our parents told us “you can do anything,” “you can be anything you want to be,” “you’re special.” So when we get to our late twenties and we’re still working at a job that has nothing to do with our college major or whatever prolific calling we thought we were going to fulfill by now, we become dejected and frustrated. We feel like we’re not doing enough, we feel like there’s so much more out there we’re meant to do and be. So where do we look to find that fulfillment and self-worth? Yep you guessed it — the good ol’ interwebs.

Not only are we reading content that gives us a good feeling about ourselves, we’re creating it too. The harshly judged practice of self picture taking, while perhaps excessive or annoying at times, can actually be a really simple way to feel really good about yourself. Dove is a company known for campaigning to raise self esteem among young women so that they don’t get sucked into the objectification that media often bestows upon them. In one of their recent videos aptly titled “Selfie,” they use the practice of silly self picture taking as a medium to help young women really see their beauty and self worth in a very honest way. Although our selfies might be veiled in narcissism, self-obsession or boastfulness I think that for many it’s a genuine attempt to boost self esteem. Seeing a close up picture of your own face and willingly showing it to thousands of people with one click is a form of self-confidence that I don’t think should be quickly dismissed. It’s taking a risk and opening the door to criticism but hoping for positive reinforcement and love… It wasn’t wrong for our parents to tell us we’re special. If you believe you’re meant to do great things in this world then you’re going to be much more likely to actually do them. But first you have to find out what it is you really want to do! And if taking selfies and looking at baby animals online helps inspire you then why the hell not?”

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