Why do you post up your pictures?

[Jessica Who]

I'm not asking this question with any sort of negative tone, but I am curious to know what reasons some of you have for doing this.

A few weeks ago, just before I posted pictures of myself en femme (in our picture gallery) for the first time EVER, I asked my wife what she thought about it. While my wife is supportive and encouraging, I always seek to consider her feelings on everything as it relates to crossdressing and I never do anything without consenting her. This most certainly isn't her rule, but something that I do to keep our relationship strong.

Anyway, to the matter of pictures. While she was getting ready to hang out with one of her friends, I walked up to her and let her know that I was considering posting up a few photos of myself here on the forum. She paused, and thought for a moment before going on to say that she really doesn't have a problem with it, but she doesn't want me posting just for the sake of posting or just because everyone else does it.

Then she told me that as long as I can come up with a good reason to share pictures of myself with the forum, then she would give her blessing. The question she ended up asking me is why I want to do this.

I took about a day to consider my feelings and really think about why I was driven to share my photos with you all. In other words, what would I and the rest of you get out of seeing pictures of Jessica.

After some careful thought, I came back to her and said that because I don't venture out of the house and none of my friends or family have seen me dressed up, I felt the need for others to see me as Jessica so that A) I could get feedback on my look and B) so that my feminine side would feel validated.

When I say validated I mean that my feminine image of myself is seen and accepted by others like you all. Together we are a community and I believe that I would benefit as a person by further hearing that I am not alone and that I actually look halfway-decent as a girl. I told my wife that it is similar to the feeling of posting pictures of my video game and console collection on a gaming message board.

The positive comments that I've received have been enormously helpful to not only my self-esteem, but in my goal of reaching 100% acceptance of Jessica. The emotions I experience are similar to those that I feel when one of my friends compliments my outfit or hairstyle in male mode. That is to say, I'm not looking for someone to find me sexy or attractive, but solely wanting to be accepted once in a while as a chick.

Lol, sorry I didn't mean for this post to be so long, but thanks for bearing with me and please post your reasons for wanting to share your photos.

[Patricia1]

I post for a variety of reasons - validation, self-expression, narcissism, confidence building, networking, sharing, you know the usual human need to interact societally. Besides, I think I've got something worth showing.

[Teri Jean]

Jessica, I think Pattie is right in that one gets a chance to meet people in a way that is more intimate than just a name/handle. When I posted my avatar it was a way for all of you to look and see who Keli is as if we were sitting across the table for coffee. If you feel up to it I would say please do so and then we can see who Jessica is. Thank you and your post did not go that long. Give your wife a hug for her acceptance.

Huggs Keli

[Joni Marie Cruz]

At first I was going to put, "To frighten horses and little children." but then I decided, though those to me seem to be perfectly valid reasons, to attempt to curb my default flippancy since the question was asked in a serious manner.

Personally speaking, even though I do go out as myself, it's not nearly as often as I might like, so I suppose by posting my picture(s) it gives me a presence of sorts outside of my own head in a venue that's safe and sane. Safe anyway.<g>

Hugs...Joni Marie

[Kathi Lake]

Narcissism, pure narcissism.

Actually, we are all in a process of being the best woman we can be. While our lovely GG friends spend most of their lives practicing the wonderful art of femininity - hair, makeup, clothing and the like, we only get to do it sporadically. Sure, there are some of us that live as a woman full time, and some that get to "play" a lot more than some of us do. For the most part, we don't get to do it as often as it takes to get really good at it. When I get dressed up and take pictures, I am taking a risk -the risk of being seen by someone I know, the risk of looking ugly, and more.

I post my pictures here not as a "Look at me! Look at how cute and pretty I am!" but more as showing others my work in progress. I look for criticism - constructive or otherwise - and I get it. I get it from ladies further along the path. I get it from GGs. I get it from everyone. That criticism really helps. It helps me to be the best I can be.

That's my answer, anyway.

Kathi

[StephCD2009]

I post for a variety of reasons - validation, self-expression, narcissism, confidence building, networking, sharing, you know the usual human need to interact societally. Besides, I think I've got something worth showing.

What she said

[vjaducd]

Why we are here together as a family ?
To fulfill our feminine fentasy & in complete desires/ wishes & to present ourselves against persons of same comunity,
While we can't go out in en fem mode with complete make over in a female mode we tend to remain some lacking in our life & to fulfill our 2 nd side of actual life it is highly necessary to present oue enfem pictures.
I am highly eager to have my enfem avatar pictures to be taken by the c.d to whom can I trust to upload here, for that I have approched Sudha rani miss 7 Ritu+ . Yet the concent is awaited.
Is there any body from india to help me & join me / Pl. send me p.m. & I will contect you later
vjaduc.d.from India

[katty]

What she said

What she said

[cindym5_04]

I say "why not".

[Jessica Who]

Excellent responses, I agree completely, and have had some of those same thoughts pass through my head during the last several years, but I haven't always had an outlet for expressing/recording them. Thanks for your thoughtful replies.

Of course, sometimes I do just want to shout to the world: "Hey, do I look pretty?!"

[Patricia1]

Of course, sometimes I do just want to shout to the world: "Hey, do I look pretty?!"

Jess - I'm sure you do. How about a piccie so the name & face can work their way into our heads?

[iwearstockings]

I need to be seen. It wasn't always this way, when I was growing up I never thought I'd share it with anyone outside of my relationships. I think because it is possible, safe and relatively risk free, posting pictures of myself dressed up has become really important and something I look forward to. because I'm straight I never thought I would spend time looking at pictures of men expressing their sexuality. There you go though, what a fantastic resource the internet is and now I am one of those that likes to pose for the camera.
When I started dressing up it was always underwear. As time has passed I've got more into clothing and shoes and recently a wig and makeup. I think taking pictures has definitely played a part in the evolution of my cross dressing fetish and I'm loving it more than ever :^)

[Patricia1]

because I'm straight I never thought I would spend time looking at pictures of men expressing their sexuality. There you go though, what a fantastic resource the internet is and now I am one of those that likes to pose for the camera. I think taking pictures has definitely played a part in the evolution of my cross dressing fetish and I'm loving it more than ever :^)

There you go - our club has members of every stripe & everybody joins for a reason. Self-expression is good for the soul.

[Lisa Golightly]

I posted this on another thread...

...His site can be found at www.sputnik2.com and the front page contains a few tracks...

Click on Me... Well this is what I mean't about Sputnik being fused to me.. I'm quoting out of context but the line 'with your makeup like a *****... click on me, click on me' really speaks to me... For years I sought the adoration of the trans-community through my photos... I loathed myself so much the only love I allowed myself were the comments people posted... I was really unstable then just coming out of years of self harm... Couldn't comprehend why any one could possibly like me, but the comments were a comfort.

I'm not looking for sympathy it's just how it was then... With acceptance of my transsexuality came love and the ability to view my photographic whoring as the way I survived my darkest years. So I'm grateful people back then 'clicked on me'

When I started hormones I retired from doing self portraits... but when I met Phil he kind of asked me to do some new ones for him and so I did a few... I do the odd one here and there for him and post some of them here...

I kind of like showing how I'm developing during my transition...

Lisa x

[Sarah...]

I've only posted a few pictures. These days I mostly put a picture out there so that you can see who you are talking to. So, my av hardly ever changes - no need yet.

Sarah...

[Patricia1]

I kind of like showing how I'm developing during my transition...
Lisa x

We kinda like knowing - you're quite lovely.

[Shelly67]

I,ll be totally honest . I think some of the reasons we behave in certain ways ( probably inlcuding posting of visual images ) could be vanity........
And I,m a perfect example .
I am vain .

[kellycan27]

Only have my avatar posted............

[trannie T]

I have my photo here just to show off. I do enjoy inflicting my radiant beauty on all of you.

[Lorileah]

Like Patricia said, pure unadulterated, narcissistic, selfish attention grabbing. And I can look pretty sometimes too. Hey if you saw me in male mode you would know that I am prettier as a girl. I am a Princess and I am high maintenance, I know so everyone else should see it too

[Christina Horton]

I have not yet read all the other posts. I figger I would say why (I) post pics before I read why anyone else does.

I post pics of myself because......

If another girl out there ,(whom wants to go out but is afraid to cuz she thinks so does not pass,) See's my pic and Say's if she can go out being plus size and go out and shop, go to movie's see friends who only know her male side with no prob, And not fully pass then she can to. She can drum up the courage to go out for the first time and I could help It's all worth it.

It get input from other girls on how I look.

See if what I want to wear looks good or matches e.t.c.

To be able to see my pic while on the puter and know that all you girls ONLY KNOW MY FEM-SIDE.

And list but not least , it's nice to see whom your talking to while your talking to them.

Well there are my reasons for posting my pic, If I think of more I will post the new one's later.
I hope that helps. So I you will excuse me I need to read all the others and see if they share my feelings on this. HUGGS

[Jenna Stun]

I post for a variety of reasons - validation, self-expression, narcissism, confidence building, networking, sharing, you know the usual human need to interact societally. Besides, I think I've got something worth showing.

same here. I find that i get better at dressin, everytime i post something. i learn what doest work.

And Jenna is a total narcissist

[Christina Horton]

I have my photo here just to show off. I do enjoy inflicting my radiant beauty on all of you.

Your too funny Trannie You gave me a good laugh!!!!

[Alice B]

I post so that those that I trust can see me as Alice. No one else will.

[Joni Marie Cruz]

I have my photo here just to show off. I do enjoy inflicting my radiant beauty on all of you.

Right on!

Hugs...Joni Marie