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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Just Another Pretty Face

As I sat without an iPhone, laptop, or TV to pass the time while my kids played quietly at the doctor’s office, I decided to pick up a copy the New York Times laying nearby. I passed upon the hard-hitting news about the economic downturn, the Obama administration, and the housing market, and much to my delight, found the Style section.

High fashion amazes me. It is a world unto itself that I have little to no exposure to beyond what I see on the magazine covers at the grocery store. My world is a far cry from haute couture, unless you count my rockin’ necklace made out of noodles from my son. That piece is hand painted and truly one of a kind.

The article that I read, entitled, “Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’,“ highlighted how fashion magazines have gone too far in manipulating digital photography. In the quest to “make celebrities and models look thinner, taller, unblemished, with brighter eyes and whiter teeth,” something has been lost. Even stars that are widely considered to be “flawless” are subject to improvements when they appear in magazines…

Reese Witherspoon has long been a favorite celebrity of mine. In my opinion, she is lovely. I’m convinced that if we ever met in real life, we’d be the best of friends, gabbing about our kids, shopping, and places we’ve traveled to. I pride myself at being able to spot her picture from 50 paces at the end of any grocery aisle. That being said, I had no idea who the woman on the cover of a recent Elle magazine was when I saw it last month (pictured on the right). That couldn’t possibly be my girlfriend Reese.

Luckily, I am fairly certain that someone at French Vogue reads our blog. Due to the “keepin’ it real” approach to writing and photography regularly practiced on Three Bay B Chicks, a movement has begun to highlight women without makeup or retouching. French Vogue illustrated this point in a series of eight magazine covers which depicted European celebrities, un-retouched and wearing no makeup:


In light of our belief in unadulterated photography that we share with French Vogue, I have put together a series of pictures for our readers today. I call these, “A Day in Our Life.”

My son, a budding 3-year old photographer, captured these images. Enjoy their raw, natural beauty.






To check out other Wordful Wednesday posts, be sure to click over to Angie’s Seven Clown Circus. Her weekly carnival never disappoints.



Angie is also a member of the Out on a Limb Advertising Network. Three Bay B Chicks, Seven Clown Circus, Mama’s Losin’ It, and Better in Bulk have all joined forces to see if four blogs are really better than one when it comes to advertising. We hope so. If nothing else, we’ll all be together for one fun-filled weekend in October in Las Vegas for SITScation. You should be plan to be there too.

What could be better than meeting your bloggy friends amidst fabulous food, delicious drinks, and bright lights?

-Francesca
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68 comments:

thatgirlblogs said...

found you while hopping around blogs and love it here. added your button to my blog. we should probably have a commitment ceremony ;)

Erin said...

That was an awesome blog post! I love the pictures your child took! Pure, unadulterated. They belong in the French Vogue.

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

I love seeing pics of celebs w/o make up or digital re touching...makes them seem a little more real!!

Your little guy is a great budding photographer!!

Anonymous said...

Your son is a natural behind the camera :)

Kristina P. said...

I'm pretty sure that Anna Wintour will be calling you and berating you shortly.

Deb said...

I love your photos! No digital retouching necessary. I agree, I get confused when I don't recognize the celebrity on the cover.

Have you seen Lara Flynn Boyle lately?

AP Mommy said...

That IS NOT Reese?! Really?! That's crazy and terrible - I mean it's a pretty picture, but so doesn't look like her. I thought it was a mocked up Drew Barrymore.

tiarastantrums said...

love that natural talent your little manhas

Counselormama said...

I have some of these same type of pics saved that Kylie took at about the same age. I think every "still life" object in the house was photographed!

Pineapple Princess said...

I absolutely LOVE when they don't photoshop models faces. Makes me feel more human! Ha!

Salty Incisor said...

ok I am a sinner. I can not live without photoshop, sorry but its the truth. Its about how it looks not what it is that is media!

Jennifer said...

My favorite? The shopping cart - in the bathroom? He is showing so serious potential... ;-)

Jen said...

So agree with the retouching of photographs. It's tough enough to be 40 these days without having the likes of Jennifer Aniston air brushed to within an inch of her life and gracing every cover staring back at you while waiting in the check out line looking like something from the Dawn of the Dead. Loved to see the no make up photos and how beautiful the women looked au natural.

Unknown said...

I love the shots that G caught. I especially enjoyed seeing you in the background. THAT is real life.

WILLOW TREE said...

I wish I could come see you speak in Las Vegas!! Always knew you'd hit the big time. Good thing your kiddies are prepping you for the paparazzi that is sure to swarm you chicks.

I agree with you about the photoshopping. Good thing I repel technology... I can't figure out how to use it! :)

Blessings, Carolynn

Kameron said...

The pic on the right looks almost like Kelly Clarkson. The quest for perfection is really bad. No wonder so many girls have low self esteem. I don't think I had that problem of idolizing models growing up because at least they looked like real women (too skinny maybe, but real at least).

Life As I Know It said...

wow - is that one on the right really Reese Witherspoon?? It looks nothing like her!!
I much prefer the untouched, natural photos. Keep it real, people.

Amy @ Six Flower Mom said...

I agree, keep it real! Great pictures! A magical WW to you!

KarieK said...

Hey ladies!! Finally found your blog after gabbing with you on twitter...I'm so terrible! *smack back of hand!
I love this post....I too think that the media puts too much emphasis on the unattainable perfect body, hair, etc. Now your son did a fantastic job....I love the abstract facial, binky shot....awesome! LOL

BTW - so jealous you guys are going to SITScation when I am a short drive from Vegas! UGH, but should be a blast! Happy Wednesday

Randi Troxell said...

i really love that 4th pick... someone was trying to finagle their way outta a pic! lol!!

Miti said...

Hey Francesca! Love this post. Isn't it funny how you here celebrities trying to encourage girls to just be themselves all the while, their magazine spreads have been guzzied up. I love Reese too. I think she has great style and carries herself with such poise. But, you're right.....
That last pic doesn't look a thing like her. One thing that really bugs me is when you see all these glamorous stars being ridiculed for having a little bit of cellulite. Those are the shots that they should be sharing with the young girls to show them that they are people just like any of us. Take away all the glitz and glamor and that's what you got -undone faces and cellulite (just like those French cover girls).

Love the photos your son took too! Point, Shoot, and Viola!!

BK said...

It seemed the little boy doesn't like his sister, more than half of the face was 'chopped' off. :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Are you ready for your close-up? I'm sure Vogue will be calling you (and your son) any moment ;-)

Jennifer said...

hahaha!! LOVE those cute photos! My little sister is 3 years old (crazy huh) and she took some pictures like that and i still laugh when I look at them from her tiny angle. So cute!

Also, cool french vogue stuff... No makeup no touchup! that's what we need to see more of!

And Reece... I didn't recognize her in those other two pics either wow! What they can do these days!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

He's got talent, yes he does. Photos from a child's perspective are some of my favorites of all time. Much like the French Vogue pictures, they are different from anything else out there.

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

I've seen your button around and I LOVE that idea of the chic chat. i do VLOG posts and thinks it's fun to see other people in real life also.

I also do some photography on the side...and although I love PHOTOSHOP... i try to keep the people as real and true to their natural beauty as possible!

I can get behind this also! :)

Anonymous said...

So is that Reese??? Reese has such a natural girl next door kind of look. This gal looks sorta, supermodel. Hmmmm

McClure Family said...

what a great future photographer!!

my WW:

http://www.mcclurefamilyspace.blogspot.com/
http://www.2by2boutique.blogspot.com/

Kathy B! said...

It would sure make me feel better if they would lay off the photoshop even just a little!!

Congrats on your advertising endeavor and Nielsen ranking. That is truly a feat my sweet chickadies :)

Carin Davis said...

I love the "keep in it real...."
Being a lover of photography and photoshop...I find myself depating...should I take out that bruise/cut/shadow...etc...especially when it is a picture of one of my kids. Now if I could just clean my house with photoshop...I would have NO problem with that!

Barbaloot said...

Wow-I wouldn't have recognized Reese either---and I think I love her as much as you do! :)

Ronnica said...

Seeing the quality of your pictures, it's a wonder they haven't picked up on this idea sooner! Seriously though, those are some fun shots!

Knowing that you'll be at SITScation actually makes me want to go! However, I have other priorities in my life, and must save my vacation days for my trip to Turkey and my brother's wedding.

Jo said...

No photoshop! Well done, your son is an artist in his own right. Is that you trying to hide from the camera?
I wonder if I can make it to Vegas in Oct...??

Kimberly said...

I too believe that Reese and I would be the best of friends in real life. She is also one of my favorite stars.

I wish they would stop air brushing, fixing, unflawing everything and everyone. Whatever happend to good ole fashion photography, capturing a person's beauty, not let's see how much we can fix this person to look like someone else..


I love the pics your son took, I have a few that are very similar...LOL!

Grand Pooba said...

He is one talented photographer dude!

Why can't we have un touched photos in America magazines? That would be awesome!

Oh wait, I think there are some in the tabloids.

But still.

That's seriously Reese? Where's the Reese I knew from Legally Blonde?

♥ Braja said...

Ok so Sophie Marceau and Eva Herzigova aren't smothered with makeup and photoshopped; but hell, the French photographer who snapped their natural beauty in perfect light is still capturing something pretty amazing, non?

Ha. Wait til he gets to MY place, baby....

Susie said...

I think that yours are much prettier:-)

Felicia - I complete Me said...

That so did not look like Reese. Wow!Thanks for showing us the un-retouched pics of your family. I too believe in being honest so I never retouch my photos. Although i'm thinking I should. (lol)

Unknown said...

Can't believe that is Reese! Oh, and your rockin' noodle necklace sounds fab.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

E @ Scottsville said...

Wow, I wouldn't have recognized Reese at all in that last one, but would've in the middle one.

She's a beautiful girl no matter what, isn't she? WHOLESOME, too! =0)

Meg said...

I have also pondered meeting and loving Reese. Seriously, she is fabulous. I will cast her in to play me in my never-to-be-released bio-pic.

The only reason I recognized her in that photo was the pointy chin. Sad. She's so much more beautiful as is.

Unknown said...

I loved your photo tribute to au naturel photos!! I've met a few famous people in my life and some of them I've been shocked at how different they really look. Some of them are very pretty naturally but others don't even resemble the photos I've seen. I wonder what celebrities think of their own doctored photos? I'm sure they like them...I know I would!!

parlezvouskiwi said...

I remember seeing an email once of photos of real people before and after they have been airbrushed for a magazine and its scary how many changes they make to "perfect" women... and to make other women feel ugly. Yay for French Vogue. Beautiful pics too.

Claudya Martinez said...

Fun post. Thanks for makin' me smile.

Anonymous said...

It's so true. I love when paprazzi catches celebrities without make up and they look nothing like how they do in pictures.

Heather of the EO said...

You know what? If my life were ever a movie, Reese would play me. I know because facebook told me.

And I sure would love to meet you peeps. Sigh...

Mrsbear said...

I love the kiddie camera perspective. It's always genius.

The French Vogue cover is wonderful. As a mom who never wears makeup, mostly because I'm lazy but also because I hate the way it feels on my skin, it's nice to see celebrities in their natural less than perfect state. The flawless airbrushed versions just aren't accessible.

Helene said...

I cannot believe that is Reese Witherspoon in that 3rd picture on the right!! She looks more like one of the Olsen twins. So wierd!!

Love the pics your son took! There's nothing better than uploading pics from the memory stick and seeing my kids' talented photography skills (pics of butt cracks never looked so cute, kwim?)

heidi said...

That didn't even LOOK like Reece. Crazy.

Those pictures were FANTASTIC Giancarlo!! Good job!

AiringMyLaundry said...

I prefer to see celebs without makeup. They seem more real to me then.

peewee said...

I'm commenting from my iPhone as I am staying at my parents who have no wireless. It took me 52 mi a into do you think you can dance to even get into the comments section!
I just wanted to let you know the labor of love this comment involves.
I don't even really have a comment except you look awsome in your windblown "don't look at me" pose.

Anyway. I'll go now. Bye. For real. I'll get going. Okay. Goodnight!

peewee said...

K. For real now. I'll get off your site. Call me! I'll be waiting!! Okay. See ya. I'm gonna go now.

peewee said...

Did I mention that reese witherspoon took my yoga class once? Yup. She did. Can we be best friends now? Since I actually held her legs up in a headstand?

K. I'm going for real now. It's just that your site is so comfy! Like an overstuffed couch. K. Bye!!! :)

smilinggreenmom said...

Found ya this morning and bookmarked you too! Cute blog...I am certain that me, you and Reese should hang out sometime...catch a movie, have a coctail, take the kids to the park....right? Anyway- yea, I agree on the all natural women...way prettier and much more realistic! I am a casual and natural mama myself, raarely to be sween with makeup and anything but flip-flops! Our little boy has been helped so much from his natural probiotic from Vidazorb after suffering from severe allergies and Eczema. Our family has gone natural in so many ways now...and am glad to see mags figuring this out!

Stacy Uncorked said...

I love Reese, too, and didn't realize it was her on that far right photo until I read further...that picture was touched up so much she's unrecognizable!

LOVED the pictures your aspiring 3 year old photographer took - he's a natural! ;)

Happy WW a day late! :)

Unknown said...

This was a brilliant post Francesca! I love it. You are so right, Reese does look WAY too photoshopped in that picture.

Fiauna said...

A delightful post. You just made me smile!!!

Molly said...

I love that little shopping cart! (and obviously your son does too!) Where did you get it?

Anonymous said...

I've had some(at times a lot of) Haute Couture in the past, but now just take comfort in my Prada purse & a few nice dresses....less is more to me at present. I saw one particular celebrity in NY one day; had others not pointed her out, I'd not have known ....She.Looked.Horrid. But then, maybe she just looks like that....

I prefer the natural & effortless pictures you posted. I would love to see the noodle necklace also. ~Mary

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

Thank you French Vogue for showing us what true beauty is.

As for that cover of Reese, I too saw that a while back and it took me a couple of secs to figure out who that was.

Technodoll said...

That doesn't look anything like Reese - WTH? and mostly, what's the point?

Mon dieu!

No wonder so many women, young girls and even men and boys go "blah" when looking in the mirror - we cannot possibly compete with robomods!

Eve said...

Hey, those photos are pretty awesome - your kid's an artistic genius!!

Beware - that photography habit might start getting addictive and expensive as he gets older - although, at least you can save a small fortune by going natural and not investing in photoshop! ;)

amanda said...

love this post. i also love reece. and the pictures. so raw. so cute. love it. love love i'm full of love today. lol.

Lula! said...

There's talk of table dancing while we're in Vegas.

I'm not saying I'll be on the table. Or you. Or Kathy or Angie. I'm just saying there's TALK. Is all.

Ahem.

p.s. Reese is a year younger than me. So why does she look a decade younger? Oh, photoshop...look what you've wrought.

Nancy said...

Wow, I wouldn't have (and don't) recognize Reese in the magazine cover either! I agree, they've taken things way to far with airbrushing and photoshop. I would love to get my hands on the French Vogue magazine that is au natural.

Great post as always Francesca. I always enjoy reading your posts. Your son is a photographer in the making!

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

That's quite the talented son you've got there. I love kid pictures...it's nice to see what they think is picture worthy. Love the hair, by the way! ;o)

Unknown said...

the convention looks like sooo much fun!

Mr. and Mrs. Nurse Boy said...

What?! No crotch shots?!?!

You crack me up!!!

Mrs. Nurse Boy