“I’m grateful I have no fake image to protect. What you see is exactly who I am. Some days I shine, other days I struggle, but every single day, I stay real. I’m me, and that’s always enough.” (Motivational Life Quotes)
The other day, I was updating my headshot across several social channels and professional documents that are viewable by personal friends, professional colleagues, and unknown observers I haven’t yet had the opportunity to connect with.
A bit of background: I dislike having my picture taken…a lot! Whether it’s family photos, work events, vacations, or selfies, the images captured by cameras never seem to match the reflection I see in the mirror when I wake up each morning or go to bed at night.
In my mind, I reassure myself that I don’t look too bad for a 50-year-old man with greying, thinning hair, an extra fifteen pounds, and a few wrinkles around the corners of my eyes. However, when a picture shows a moment that appears quite different from how I see myself, it leaves me feeling a bit weary.
I do make a concerted effort to regularly care for my body with a healthy diet, exercise, stretches, yearly check-ups with my doctor, and a consistent mindfulness practice.
But just like a car from twenty years ago begins to show its age after thousands of miles of use and continuous exposure to harsh roadways and weather, the human body also shows signs of aging as the decades accumulate.
Today, we are often judged by appearances—by the first visual perceptions others form of us. Surprisingly, many of those opinions can be formed solely from a single photograph, making it almost impossible to showcase the true selves we are proud to be.
So, when it came time to update my headshot—a process I was dreading—I decided to explore the world of AI and the various services that promote creating the most professional-looking headshots for personal and professional projects. It would serve as both an education into the capabilities of AI and an exploration of its accuracy.
After uploading a handful of current photos, which were difficult to find since I rarely pose for pictures, and answering a few questions about my overall appearance and goals for the photos, the software generated a series of images based on my submissions.
I won’t lie; the photos looked really nice, and I was amazed at how quickly and effortlessly they were able to place me in different outfits, settings, and poses, as if I had stepped out of a professional photoshoot from Hollywood.
I felt giddy at how young I appeared, polished in my blue sports jacket, standing with a slight twist in my stance and staring into the camera with a coy smile. As I scrolled through the other photos—some more casual, others more professional—I felt a rush of excitement at the thought of sharing these well-presented images with the world.
A Fake Image to Protect
Just as I was about to replace my current LinkedIn photo with the newly created version, I took a long, hard look at the picture currently featured on my profile page. That photo, taken by my wife last year in our home, holds a special place in my memory.
Having my wife as the photographer eased my nerves during the shoot, and I trusted her completely to be honest about the results. I remember the two of us heartily laughing at some of the poses, my ears turning red from anxiety as I stood there in a dress shirt and a pair of cycling shorts.
Overall, it was a memorable experience, and my wife actually managed to capture a few shots that I didn’t find totally embarrassing. Imagine that! Now, as I compared my current photo with the AI-generated one, I realized I had just created a fake image to protect.
While the AI version certainly looked like me, it wasn’t truly me. The photo was fine-tuned and corrected, with perfectly even skin tones, trendy clothes, and facial expressions that I’m not sure I could replicate. One even had me wearing a fancy silver watch that probably costs more than a mortgage payment.
I’ve been quick to judge young people and adults for using filters to present a deceptive image—a thinner, tanner, taller, or smoother version of themselves. I hadn’t realized that I had just done the exact same thing, caught up in the notion that I needed to compete in appearance rather than substance in this increasingly shallow and materialistic society.
“I’m grateful I have no fake image to protect. What you see is exactly who I am.”
What a powerful statement that I almost traded for a version of myself based on fiction rather than reality. Imagine what could happen if I were interviewing for a job and the photo on my resume and LinkedIn profile looked wildly different from the person sitting across from me?
We live in a superficial society where we are often judged by appearances, which is usually a distorted representation of reality.
Young teenagers and even adults struggle with the mental health issues that arise from these unhealthy ideals. Many people use filters and other tools to refine the images they present, aiming to fit within narrow definitions of what is considered acceptable in terms of beauty.
Shamefully, I bought into that reality for a short time, allowing myself to criticize my appearance based on the opinions of a critical society whose views should matter little.
Thankfully, I no longer feel the need to protect a false image of myself. I don’t wear a façade, try to be someone I’m not, or create a computer-generated version of myself to gain acceptance in professional settings or personal relationships.
Perfection is unattainable in any situation, so why do we continually rely on technology to create a fake version of ourselves?
Do such actions lead to greater success, more profound love, or more appreciation, or do they ultimately set us up for failure?
Every night, as we gaze into the mirror, we confront an undeniable and powerful truth. The greatest failure in life is not just the moment we recognize that we have abandoned our true selves in a desperate attempt to fit in, but the weight of having to protect a fake image. I refuse to sacrifice my authenticity for acceptance.
True belonging comes from embracing who we really are, not from conforming to others’ expectations.
Craig, I love this! So true – and it saddens me that so many in the world don’t want the world to see their authentic self! It’s covered by filters and masked by AI! I hurt for those that don’t feel they can show the world who they are – flaws, wrinkles, not a “perfect” body, hair out of place, and no make-up! What you see is not who I am!
My motto is, “I am what I am – take it or leave it! But I hope you’ll give me a chance ;)!”