On air from August 12th with Sara Troy

“Welcome to Sara’s View of Life. Today, we’re looking through the lens—literally and metaphorically. In a world of filters and flawless edits, what does the camera really see? Can an image still hold truth, or have we retouched it away? Join me as I reflect on vulnerability, authenticity, and the soulful power of being seen—as you truly are.”

They say the camera doesn’t lie—but in today’s world of filters, retouching, and digital tweaks, what are we really looking at? A photograph can reveal truth, or it can veil it entirely. Is it a window into the soul… or just a curated illusion?

Can we still see someone’s essence in an image? Do their eyes tell a story, or have we learned to mask even that? Is the smile genuine—or just muscle memory? Do they smile with their whole face, or just enough to pass as “happy”?

Recently, I faced my own camera moment with the wonderful Barbara Anne in Nanaimo. I’ll admit it—I was nervous. I can interview anyone, anywhere, but being in front of the lens felt like exposure on a different level. Barbara, however, made it joyful. She captured my seriousness, my playfulness, and, most importantly, my truth.

This week, we explore what the camera really sees—and whether it still has the power to reveal who we truly are.

You want your headshot—your photo—to represent you. Not just your features, but your spirit, your story, your essence. When someone sees that image, they should feel a quiet familiarity, as if they already know a piece of who you are. A great photo invites connection. It whispers, “This is me. This is what I bring.” So when people finally meet you face-to-face, there’s no disconnect—only confirmation of what they already sensed in your image: authenticity, warmth, and truth.

But when a photo is overly altered—when it masks the lines of laughter, softens the eyes too much, or reshapes features into something unrecognizable—it creates a disconnect. Instead of building trust, it builds a wall. The viewer might admire the image, but they’re not meeting you. And when they do meet you in person, something feels off. The soul they felt drawn to in the photo isn’t fully present—because the photo wasn’t fully true.

We all want to look our best, and a little polish is perfectly fine. But let’s not trade away authenticity for perfection. Let your photo reflect the real you—the journey in your eyes, the warmth in your smile, the light in your spirit. That’s what draws people in. That’s what creates a real connection.

So here’s what I’ve come to realize—your image isn’t just about how you look; it’s about how you feel in your own skin. It’s about being seen as you truly are, not as who you think the world wants to see. That’s the real magic.

When we show up authentically—wrinkles, wisdom, laugh lines, and all—we give others permission to do the same. We become mirrors of truth, not illusions of perfection. So the next time you step in front of a camera, bring your whole self. Let your eyes speak your journey. Let your smile carry your light.

Because what the camera sees should be what the world feels: you—honest, beautiful, and unapologetically real.

AMAZON

Find Photographer Barbara Anne here

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