"This Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You"
February 15, 2013 Let me start by apologizing for this post. I wrote it several months ago, but it's taken me this long to gather the courage to publish it. I promise you I'm not narcissistic as one might think with this seemingly self-indulgent stream of pictures. But I'm often curious about the face behind a name and I thought you might be a little curious about what I look like. On a good day. Sort of.
So as painful as this is for me, here's a "behind the scenes" look at a photo shoot I subjected myself to last May ...
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I know I'm not alone when I say I don't particularly like having my picture taken. But when you're foolish enough to write a book and the publisher REQUIRES a mug shot ... AND it's gonna be seen by at least a few strangers around the world ... well ... ya kinda wanna look your best, right?
For me, that meant coloring my hair a few days earlier. And then having my first haircut in ... too many months.
(Not bad, but too windy)
I know you can't really tell here, but I actually put makeup on. I went all out with concealer, eyeliner, mascara AND lipstick. Yeah, I really spackled it on. Most days it's just chapstick. Or lipgloss. If I'm lucky.
Then I dug out my nicest pink outfit (more of a lavender pink) - a twin set from my sister.
(I think a bird just landed on a branch above me and I was hoping it wasn't going to poop on my head.)
I wanted a pretty nature background, but trees blossom for all of 48 hours here so if you blink you miss them. In fact, a wicked storm stripped this poor tree bare the very next day.
(Trying the other side)
A good friend of mine took these pictures. (Thanks Maggie!) As you can see, I was having a hard time taking this whole thing seriously. But these few shots ... out of almost 200 ... (told ya she's a good friend!) ... are ones where I look ridiculous on purpose ... as opposed to the other 190 ... where I look ridiculous without even trying. Clearly I won't be appearing on America's Next Top Model any time soon.
(Back to my left - apparently it's my better side.)
When my 9 year old came in the room as I was writing this post, she exclaimed how beautiful I looked. (Love her.) And then - as children are apt to do - honestly clarified that I NEVER look like this in real life. (Still love her.)
She's quite right. It's amazing what good light, a studied angle, a talented photographer and the miracle of photoshop can do for a girl.
Seriously.
(I was insisting that I was NOT old enough to be Channing Tatum's mother, but only just barely.)
Anyhow, here I am ...
... on the "About the Author" page of my book.
So that's me. Wife, mother, crafter, blogger, occasional bad parent ... and most recently new author.
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Okay, that was one Bandaid ripped off. Now that you know what I look like, tune in Monday ... I'll tell you how to find out what I sound like ... yet another Bandaid for me.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Reader Comments (69)
I think you look adorable!!
It's so nice to "meet" the person behind the blog. They are lovely photos of you.
ah the Kristyne we know and love...
The pictures are beautiful. You look lovely, and really young, like about 25! I love cherry blossoms.
You are as pretty as the lovely items you create!!
awwww . . . . ur a cutie pie for sure! Good Job! See, it wasn't so bad, was it??!!
:)
You are beautifuuly and wonderfully made! The foreground is just as lovely as the background. We all need to give ourselves a break. There is enough poop and poopy people in the world for us to FINALLY give ourselves some grace to accept our looks, our shapes, our talents and our sense of humor! Love it all. And thanks for putting a face to the name, the price of fame LOL!! XO
Beautiful Kristyne!!! You continue to inspire! Thank you for this post! My kids need me to show myself in their photographs. :)
I think you are lovely and I totally agree with everything you said. The sad part is that I am 53 and I could never look so lovely now even WITH "spackled" make up on! LOL. I saw your info for the upcoming Pat Sloan interview and loved that bag that was in the picture. Very happy to have found you and will be following!
Good Luck,
Cindy in Northern MI
You have nothing to worry about .... I prefer to see real people than made-up models ... and yes, so true, everyone looks great when they actually get the makeup and dressup on ... but hey ... we're living day to day with lottsa things happening ... so don't fret the small things. Remember you are beautiful to those you love regardless of how you might be looking at the moment (well maybe apart from when one has a real bad cold, red and running nose with watery eyes...lol). Have a lovely day and all the best with booksales, from me downunder in NZ...
You are absolutely gorgeous.
So beautiful and sweet you are! Congrats on two years having your inspiring blog!! xo Heather
You're so cute!
I'm like you. Hate having my picture taken. Unlike you, I usually end up with my eyes closed -- I have a great blink reflex -- I can blink as the flash goes off and before the picture is taken. Your pictures look great!! Well worth all the hours and sacrifice! And you do look young and beautiful -- which I'm sure you are!
Gostei de a conhecer!
Excellent post, I love this and you are most definitely not alone with this feeling, although of course, you look beautiful in your photos, so really all of YOUR worries are pointless! (lol)
S x
PS you're not alone in looking younger than you are either. People always say 'oh you're so lucky' but really, it can be quite embarrassing. Mind you, I don't think it's such a problem for me any more... I'm starting to miss it!
You're adorable!
Love all the pics..Look at your smile:)
Oh so pretty!
You look great! Old enough to be Channing Tatum's mom???? Are you even Channing's age?
I never look great. Mostly cos I'm not prepared to do the dyeing and spackling thing. Not that industrial strength spackle exists that could conceal my glow in the dark nose anyway. My penguin is way more photogenic, this suits us both.