Honest question about posting pictures and those who don't (yet)... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Honest question about posting pictures and those who don't (yet)...

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I have to ask - if you're not quite comfortable posting pictures (yet), does that mean you can't really participate in the forum here? I jumped back in recently, but am still not quite ready to post pictures, and I can't help but wondering if this means I shouldn't really be posting here, and replying to things?

I'm sure I'll get there eventually - I'm too curious and could really use some help from all the fabulous YLF'ers here on the forum, but I sometimes feel like because I'm not posting pictures of outfits yet - that maybe I shouldn't be posting at all?

Not sure how much patience people have, and wonder if you aren't yet posting pics then you shouldn't be participating?

Is it ok to ask for advice and comment on things even though you're not quite 'there' yet in terms of posting so-called "WIW's" ?

General

33 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

What? No! Of course you can still participate without posting pictures! I think we have a few members at least who do this. This forum has a wealth of knowledge to share and fun convo's to be a part of that have nothing to do with "WIW's"

Participate away!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Whaaa? Not at all, VC. You absolutely do not have to post pictures to participate on the forum. I actually think people who comment on WIW posts and offer feedback and critiques without asking for their own are in a way giving everyone the gift of their time because they are not asking anything in return. I hope you do feel comfortable enough to post photos one day, but please don't feel any pressure. I think when you start posting photos, it just adds a layer to the interaction, because people get a sense of your style and tastes and what you're working on to improve, etc. That's hard to know without seeing a visual, but I still think a person can interact enough that there is still some understanding of what they like. I get that sense from you, VC. I always look forward to your comments on the forum even though you've never posted photos. : )

cciele

Veteran

^what she said!

Please continue posting! There's no requirement at all for posting outfits. Many members don't post photos for whatever reason (privacy, lack of time, lack of equipment, etc,). But all are welcome to participate

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ditto what Ana and Nicole said. Of course you can participate, and your participation is always valued! Your comments are always interesting and worth reading!

BUT....to tempt you a little....I discovered that taking the pics and looking at them was already a huge step and taught me a lot, but posting them to the forum ramped up my learning at least tenfold. It's not just the comments that you get, although those are obviously interesting and helpful; as you know, this is an incredibly welcoming group and also wonderfully diverse.

In posting your WIWs, you are making a commitment, in a way. Putting yourself out there, and that is risky...but in taking the risk, you grow.

Debora

Veteran

Chiming in to ditto what the ladies said above! You most definitely don't have to post pictures in order to participate. That's what's so wonderful about the YLF community. I hope we get to hear more from you!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone - I feel a whole lot better. It's not that I'm not going to post pictures ever, just that I'm a bit slow to jump in.

Very glad to hear it's ok to post and participate anyway. Thanks I'm actually a bit teary, because I was thinking that if I didn't hurry up and post some sort of picture or WIW then I shouldn't participate here. I'm relieved to know there's no mad rush.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I love the commentary you offer, velvetychocolate. Pictures aren't required, although I'd love you see you

Mellllls

Veteran

it was probably a year before i was ready to post a photo. and i still very rarely post them. so i see nothing wrong with participating as much as you like without posting a picture. i personally enjoy reading your thoughts and posts.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo the ladies, VC. PLEASE feel as welcome and meaningful here as those who post photos. We love your participation.

I will add though, that it's easier to assist those who post photos with their style dilemmas, style delights and the next leg of their style journeys. We get a better sense of your style and "you" and can therefore support you to the maximum.

I hope that we have reassured you, Velvety.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thanks again everyone - I really appreciate it. It makes sense to me though that you can't really offer up tons of advice without a visual, so I will get there eventually - but in the meantime, I'm very relieved and glad to know that it's ok to post/reply/participate in the meantime.

Thanks a whole bunch Feeling much better!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

velvetychocolate, I'm glad you asked this question, because I was wondering the same thing. I haven't posted photos yet, because I haven't quite figured out how and where to take them easily. So I was a little self-conscious about offering opinions without taking the risk of putting myself out there with my own photos. I was feeling a little like the "armchair quarterback." Thanks for the encouraging responses, everyone!

qfbrenda

Veteran

"BUT....to tempt you a little....I discovered that taking the pics and looking at them was already a huge step and taught me a lot, but posting them to the forum ramped up my learning at least tenfold. It's not just the comments that you get, although those are obviously interesting and helpful; as you know, this is an incredibly welcoming group and also wonderfully diverse."

What she said!!! I learned a ton when I started posting pictures, though I cringe at some of the first ones I posted. Yikes.

BUT please participate with or without pictures.

Deborah

Veteran

VC and Firecracker, your thoughts and opinions are very much appreciated. You will post photos when you are ready and please know that your participation here (photos or no photos) is invaluable.

Lantana

Veteran

I too have absolutely no issues with folk who participate in the way you do, on the contrary I value it. I smile at how hard it was for me to get started with posting photos but everyone was so supportive. You will find the same when you're ready, whenever that might be. I agree strongly with Suz' comment. She said the same thing to me, about the learning really beginning once you begin to post photos. That has proved to be absolutely spot on. Anyway, thanks for starting this thread because I'm sure you're no orphan in feeling the way you did-but you don't feel like that any more, right?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Even if you never ever post a pic, you contribute eloquent, thoughtful comments! This is not a I'll-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours community - I think most ladies post pictures to aid their own learning process, not out of any obligation. If you are not comfortable, or if you don't need any specific outfit tweaks and are working at a more general level, then there is no need for pictures.

AJ

Veteran

Yes, no need to worry about posting pics right away. Go at your own speed and comfort level.

I always appreciate any feedback I get and it doesn't matter their style or pic posting level. So comment away! : P

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Of course everyone appreciates posters who don't post pix as much as those who do!! The ones who have posted pix know just how big a deal it is , especially at first. It takes a lot of time to figure out how to work your camera, a decent spot with lighting that actually shows the clothes, how do you stand, do you show your face, why do i keep making that face, then there's any photo-editing (cropping, transforming to proper file format), on and on. It can be a big learning curve!

But first you must 'take care of head', as the song goes....you don't want to freak yourself out about it, you want to feel strong and able to hear what people have to say when you post a picture. Everybody understands that some people are sensible and don't jump in with both feet

I'm glad you asked and so happy at everyone's responses! i think this will encourage all to participate however they feel comfortable! steph

morethanbeige

Veteran

Yes, VC, your comments are always welcome, no matter if you are posting pics or not! One of the things I love about YLF is that people participate at all different levels and are encouraged to do that. It took me a while to post pics, but the feedback is invaluable! And I am finding that because of it, I feel much less self-conscious IRL.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't think there's any judgement here about whether or not you post pictures. We have people who have been long time active members that don't post pictures whose opinion is valued just as much as those who don't- it's just a personal preference.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm so pleased to read these replies, and feel a lot better. I will eventually start posting pictures (I'm sure of it), it's just taking me a while...and I had wondered about this. Thanks so much!

For me, it's a matter of finding a good spot plus just taking the plunge is a (nerve-wracking) factor for me. I've had my husband take pictures once or twice, but ended up really not liking the photos at all, and didn't want to ask him to take more. I have a new camera that I need to learn how to use (it's one of those digital DSLR cameras) - I can take a simple photo, but haven't figured out where the timer is, how to use it - don't know if we still have a tripod or not, it kept getting borrowed, and we've since moved. I did take a photo once standing in front of a mirror, but that camera is kind of bulky and got in the way, and in the end, the photo was too dark (dark hallway, mirror on inside of hall closet). In the meantime, I've replaced the battery in my smaller camera, so that should help me start with at least some of those 'mirror' type pictures, once I find a bright enough spot in the house. The front porch is a great spot, but ...too many neighbours and houses close by - I feel a bit foolish!

Steph has it right - there's a lot stuff to figure out Add in the nervousness...and there you have it (very slow to post anything).

Thanks again - I really appreciate these replies.

Saretta

(website)

I have had the same doubts myself VC, glad you put the question out there. I have posted photos 3 times I think and people's comments have been so useful, but I'm not sure if I'm completely comfortable with doing it yet. It can be hard for me to openly ask for others to pay attention to me in this way...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

VC, of course we want you to participate, photos or not. Everyone has something useful to offer on this forum. It took me 8 months before I posted my first WIW then I wondered why I waited so long! At first, I did NOT like looking at pictures of myself and was very self critical. But over time you become less self conscious and start to look at the photo in a more "detached" and less personal sort of way - it has been enormously helpful to me to have feedback from membesr on my outfit posts. But take your time and jump in with both feet when you're ready - we'll be here!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

It took me a year to even start posting, and another year before I even posted a pic. I wasn't sure if anyone was going to get or appreciate my style.

DeniseP

I'm glad that you posted this issue, because quite frankly, I ditto everything you've said!

I'm camera shy, and not very photogenic. Also, I have more bad hair-days lately than good ones and just don't want to open myself up for judgment here.

When I first joined YLF this past summer, I asked a simple question about an item, and one of my responders simply said, PHOTO PLEASE. So, I have stopped asking. But I do read and learn lots that way.

I understand that it's more fun to share/participate via photos, though.

Lantana

Veteran

So VC, you can see what an important issue you've brought up -and there are no pix attached! I'm chiming in again because I want to hail MrsE's point about being in a receptive frame of mind in order to "hear" the forum's response. After posting my first few WIWs I was too discombobulated by the effort to fully absorb the responses. Now I feel at home enough to really hear what the forum is saying-and in true YLF spirit it is unfailingly positive, pithy, thoughtful and courteous.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Denise - I think you should keep asking questions and asking for advice. I've also had people suggest I post a photo as well, but I got the impression that it's mainly because it's so much easier to 'tell' about a particular outfit or item if people can see it on you! I'm thinking it's more likely that people really *do* want to help, and if they can't see the item/outfit on you, then it's a lot harder to offer up really good advice about something.

In the meantime, I've gotten tons of truly excellent advice and feedback on all kinds of queries - so post away

Re: photos - we'll get it sorted eventually - just a matter of finding a good spot, figuring out the camera, putting together a potential outfit and ...taking a whole bunch of pictures. I figure if you take a bunch, there'll be at least some that aren't so nerve-wracking to post.

Lisa

Veteran

If you aren't comfortable posting photos I wouldn't worry. You can always learn from others WIW outfits for style ideas and tips. The only time I find it hard to comment on a post is when someone asks about an item to purchase with a link. If I do not know their style from their WIWs I find it hard to advise. But a really good description on a style goal may help with that type of question.

DeniseP

Ana,

Your comment touched my heart -- that people who take time to comment on WIWs and offer opinions, without asking for any of their own are giving a gift of their time. What a sweet of thinking about this!

Lantana,

Thanks for your insight;
I understand what you're saying about having a receptive mind to hear the forum;
I'm just not there yet, b/c I'm my own worst enemy -- a harsh critic of myself.

I agree, that the spirit of YLF is nothing short of courteous, thoughtful, uplifting.
Actually, it's been impressive.

Velvety,

You are too sweet with your kind words. Can you come to my house and daily encourage me?

Lisa,

Thank you...
Yes, I am learning so much by viewing others' WIW, and reading the comments and blogs. I only wished that YLF had been around twenty years ago!

Mellllls

Veteran

denisep, im sorry if someone's suggestion that you posted a photo caused you to start participating less. i do think that it is much easier to help someone when photos are posted but the suggestion that you post a photo is just a suggestion. we are more than willing to help you without a photo!

12