Stop and think before you use face filters

I know that face filters have become all the rage…

…but be careful with those things - they could come back to bite you in the ass.

In the interest of full disclosure, I hate ALL types of filters.

I believe that they are a massive crutch that can be eliminated through good photography. 

This includes filters on professional photos as well as high-quality, self portraits.

My ire used to be solely directed towards the color filters that are built into photo apps like  Canva, or any of the social apps where you can edit your photos prior to upload. 

Now, the big thing that I see online are apps that can filter the shape, color and tone of a person’s face. 

Aside from the paid ads from these apps on my feed, I’m noticing that many speakers, authors, consultants and other expert business owners are employing these face filter apps to their images. 

How can I tell?

Because I know many of these people in real life, and in some cases, photographed them. 

So I really know what’s up with their faces. 

And the reality is:

They all go too far. 

Why is it such a big deal? 

At the end of the day, your photos are a direct representation of who you are, not your self-imposed, idealized self. 

As such, you want to look like your photos in the way you do when you enter a room of clients. 

This is critical because when you’re an expert, you’re in the business of building trust and relationships with those who need you most. 

But, when you post photos that have been filtered up the yin yang to the point that you no longer look like yourself, that’s going to greatly affect the trust that people have towards anything that comes out of your mouth. 

After all, if you’re lying about the way you look, what else are you lying about? Is your work a lie, too? 

Regardless of how far-fetched their reaction can take them, these are questions that you NEVER want a potential client to think about in regards to you. So, don’t give them a reason to do so.

End of the day, we all want to look flattering in our photos - me included - but not at the cost of raising questions in the minds of those we serve. 

As a result, own your appearance. 

Rather than digitally lie, enhance what you have naturally with makeup, quality lighting and a highly-skilled photographer - or learn the skills to create high-quality, self portraits - but don’t go over the deep end and leverage face filters that restructure your face and completely blur out your skin to the point that you’re barely recognizable. 

It’s too big of a price to pay when you’re looking to build connection and trust with your audience. Save all the heavy-handed filtering for the fashion and lifestyle magazines - it doesn’t serve you!

You don’t need the help - you’re awesome just the way you are, and don’t ever forget that. 

What are your feelings on face-altering apps? Have you used them in the past or today? Share your experience in the comment section.