Many people depend on others to document their speaking and pictures next to their artwork in social receptions. “Do you want me to take your picture?” I hear often.

But I say, “no, thanks” because I know how they are going to look.

My mouth and eyes are both lively and mobile and moving at different times, and from experience I know that the person on the other side is finding it difficult to catch a good expression.

It has even happened with someone taking my photo for an award I won.

I knew the award photographer to be a heavy hitter in newspaper photojournalism, but he was visibly nervous I’d witnessed his fumbly inability to get a good expression; he didn’t let me see them to soothe my suspicions.

So to make a long post short, what ‘Diva’ behavior I exhibit is largely around publishing unposed and unflattering pictures taken of me in candid situations.

I am grateful for the viewer catching a composition with a view of my artwork, but seeing that this image has my eyes and mouth moving, mid thought, I’m reminded to ‘control the means of MY production’

and gently decline the proffered offers to take pictures of me (some ask to use MY camera!)

and keep adding photographs of myself to the wide world of the Web that actually look like me.

Dorothy is a Chicago portrait and lifestyle photographer following her energetic eyes through her world. Buy artwork or hire her creativity through her Contact Page.