TED Talks Daily cover image

TED Talks Daily

Why you think you look bad in photos | Teri Hofford

Nov 6, 2024
Teri Hofford, a portrait photographer known for her empowering approach, challenges the common dislike of photos. She discusses the psychological reasons behind our cringe reactions to images and highlights the contrast between self-image in mirrors and photos. Hofford advocates for self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to reframe their perspective on pictures and embrace their authentic selves. By celebrating individuality over societal beauty standards, she inspires a healthier relationship with how we see ourselves in captured moments.
14:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The discomfort of seeing oneself in photos stems from the contrast between our mirrored self-perception and actual photographic representation.
  • Challenging societal beauty standards can empower individuals to feel more confident and at ease with how they are depicted in photographs.

Deep dives

Understanding the Cringe Factor

Many individuals experience discomfort when viewing photos of themselves, often labeling themselves as 'not photogenic.' This reaction is largely rooted in the discrepancy between how we perceive ourselves in the mirror and how we are captured in photographs, which show us a flipped version. By recognizing that our discomfort stems from this difference, we can begin to appreciate our images more. Engaging with photos more frequently can help our brains reconcile these two perspectives and lessen the cringe factor.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode