Before and after photos are the most dramatic way to illustrate weight loss and other physical changes. But how do you get a before when you’re not convinced there will be any significant difference in the after?
Time for an attitude check! If you’ve made the decision to start your journey with Medifast, that’s a step in the right direction. The next? Prepare for success! And that begins with your before picture.*
To make sure your photo is the best it can be, follow a few simple suggestions:
Attire: Wear clothing that reveals, rather than hides. You’ve probably been in hiding for a long time now, wearing baggy tops, elastic-waist pants, and long jackets or sweaters to camouflage your appearance. For your before picture, though, you’ll want to wear shorts or leggings and a close-fitting top.
Scene: Choose a background that is uncluttered—a bare wall (take any pictures or art down while you shoot), a stretched curtain, or a closet. If you can’t find an uncluttered space, make one! Try hanging a sheet from the top of a tall piece of furniture or a bookcase. You can hold the top in place with books or other objects.
Camera Equipment: For best results, have a friend take the picture for you. But if you don’t feel comfortable enough to bare your before self in front of someone else, a tripod and camera with a timer will work just as well.
- Don’t have a tripod? Put your camera on a stack of books or a shelf.
- Don’t have a camera? Your phone works, too. You can even download a free app such as TimerCamera (for iPhone) so you’ll have time to get into place.
- Standing in front of a mirror holding your phone is the least successful way to get your before picture, but if that’s all you can manage, it’s far better than nothing!
Photography Tips:
- Orient the camera in portrait mode (that is: vertical). It’s not enough to catch yourself from the waist up. Let’s see the whole you for comparison.
- Set the timer for about 10-15 seconds.
- Pose three different ways. With your arms down at your sides, catch your front, profile, and back. You’ll be astounded by the little changes you see—such as thinner arms and trimmer tummy or smaller back—that might have been less visible had you only taken a single front-facing shot.
- Look closely at the photos on your camera to make sure they’re clear before you clean up from your portrait shoot. That way you can take better focused shots quickly.
- You can improve color, contrast, image details, and more with any photo editing software. Try out free versions such as the one found on Google+.
- Consider taking the same shots in the same place every week or so. These interval photos can provide much-needed inspiration during more stressful times.
If you’ve recently begun a weight-loss program but haven’t taken your before photo yet, what are you waiting for? It’s going to come in handy when you’re ready to share your success story with us!
*The day you shoot your before picture is the perfect time to take your starting measurements, too. With a tape measure, measure your bust (across largest part), chest (under breasts), waist (one-half inch above your navel), and hips (widest part).
Wow! she looks amazing! Beautiful girl!