How to deal with body dysmorphia for a photoshoot

I have been struggling with body dysmorphia my whole life and as a photographer, I’ve met many people who suffer from the same thing. I also have been a model and had to partake in photoshoots as a yoga teacher and I’ve put together a list of advice that have helped me go through it. Of course it’s always a work in progress but I hope that it will help you!

Avoid looking at the pictures until they're edited

I personally don't edit out perceived flaws as I don't believe in "imperfections" but even a bit of light and contrast correction can make a world of difference. 

But also if you avoid to look at the images during the photoshoot you avoid the risk of seeing a picture where the photographer might have caught you mid sneeze.

Distance yourself from the image

I mean literally. 

If you have body dysmorphia you will tend to pick an area of your body that you want to correct and do what's called body checking- focus on the perceived flaws.

Look at the picture ad a whole
Not even your body
Not even yourself on the image
But the whole picture
See it as a work of art
Not just you on the photo 

Imagine it's your best friend in the picture 

What would you say? Would point at your arms or belly and say a mean comment? Chances are, probably not. As a yoga practitioner you want to practice ahimsa right from your own thoughts.

Have a connection with the photographer or a hint that you might get on

If you are focusing on the relationship or the experience you're living through during the actual photoshoot then the results of the photoshoot are not gonna be as "bad" whereas if you've felt awkward or didn't click with the photographer it will likely reflect on how you pose but also how you perceive the resulting images.