7 Ways peri-menopause can affect confidence at a brand photoshoot.

Let’s be honest, few of us think of menopause until it hits us slap bang in the face. It’s something our Mum or Auntie went through. We’re far too young to be thinking about it!

But guess what, if you’re over 40 you’re potentially already in it… and you might not have even noticed some of the side effects. Putting it down to getting older, being tired from family and work…

But when you stop and think about it, you have felt a little less confident recently. You’ve gained a few pounds around your middle and you don’t seem to need the heating on quite as much 🤣.

And the confidence bit… is a game changer if you’re thinking about having a brand shoot.

Peri-menopause and confidence at a brand photoshoot

Peri-menopause affects your hormones, which can affect your mood, your energy levels, and overall sense of well-being.

These changes can make you feel less confident and more self-conscious. They can leave you questions why something suddenly made you so angry but then the next minute you felt absolutely nothing.

This can mean that when it comes to even booking a shoot you might put it off, wonder why on earth people would want to see you and worry what they’ll think when you do.

Weight gain

Weight gain is a common symptom of peri-menopause, and this can affect your confidence in your appearance.

I know from experience that the middle age spread that they talk about is very real. I suddenly have much more flesh around my middle and the thought of that being seen is enough to put anyone off doing a shoot.

So lots of us decide to wait until we have lost some weight. And that’s absolutely fine. But what’s happening in the meantime to your visibility? Should you have to hide away and not show your lovely face?

Skin changes

Hormonal changes during peri-menopause can also lead to changes in your skin, such as dryness or acne, which can affect your confidence in your appearance.

Though thankfully with a good make-up artist and the wonders of photoshop – we can do something about this. I’m not a big fan of changing how anyone looks in a photo but if you have a spot that isnt usually there I don’t have a problem removing it.

Hot flushes

Hot flushes can be a common symptom of peri-menopause and can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. This can affect your confidence at a branding photoshoot as you might worry that you’re going to be sweaty and bright red.

The best way to deal with this is to probably avoid anything that makes you too hot just before your shoot. So maybe leave enough time to get to the shoot without rushing. Don’t have that glass of wine to calm your nerves. Wear layers so you can strip off if you need to and maybe bring one of those little personal fans to the shoot.

Sleep disturbances

Peri-menopause can also cause sleep disturbances, which can affect your energy levels and overall sense of well-being.

Being well rested before your shoot is a good idea, but it’s not the end of the world.

Kids, (or in my case a dog that insists on getting me up in the middle of the night), stress, hot flushes, work, can all make you sleep badly.

Forgetfulness

I think most of us joke about losing stuff or leaving important things somewhere that you just know you’ll find again (because you put them somewhere safe) – and then not finding it.

I’ve found that lists are the only way I can cope. Lists for where important things are. Timers for when I need to remember to do something.

Although if someone could come up with something to help me remember words or names that would be great!

Self-image

These physical and emotional changes can also affect your self-image and how you feel about yourself, which can impact your confidence during a branding photoshoot.

Although like most of us, over the course of your life you’ve had moments when you’ve doubted how you look (and surely everyone went through that as a teenager) as a 40 or 50 something it often takes us by surprise. We can be so confident about our business but then have doubts about how we look.

Overall, I think its worth and Peri-menopause and confidence at a brand photoshoot and be honest with your photographer. And if you need any help I found this book on menopause really useful. We just want you to enjoy your shoot!

And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:

1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.

Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots.  Read here

2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.

We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.

3) Join ‘Visibility School’.

Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and a Visibility Toolkit (new for 2023 members) . Read