"I hate having my photo taken." "I'll take the picture, you all go ahead."

In our Browns Bay practice, we frequently hear patients express these exact sentiments. The moment a camera appears, an immediate instinct takes over: to duck, turn away, or hide behind others. We rationalise this behaviour by fixating on perceived flaws, a line on our face, an awkward angle, or extra weight.

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately censored yourself? Maybe you held back an idea, downplayed an achievement, or quieted your natural energy just to avoid making someone else uncomfortable. Holding back to avoid conflict or judgment is a common self-preservation tactic.