Ever look at pics of yourself and wonder why you do this?

[Gwinnie]

I never really looked at how I look when dressed female. I finally did after I posted some in the pictures section and I'm really wondering why I'm doing this at all. Cause it feels right for one. But man am I ugly.

Gwendolyn

[Tracii G]

I don't think so Gwen I think once you get the make up and wig part down you will be amazed how good you will look.
I'm a rough wrinkled up 60 year old dudette and make up does wonders LOL.
Never give up just do the best with what you have.

[Kate Simmons]

If you have doubts about your appearance, you may be a true woman. Me, I never worry about it. Some will like the way I look, some will not but if I'm satisfied with it, that's pretty much all that really matters Hon.:battingeyelashes::)

[Julie Denier]

Tracii's right, so don't give up. And practicing is so much fun! Hey, if a big, fat slob like me can look quasi-pretty en femme, anyone can ;)

[Beverley Sims]

Gwendolyn,
I told you that you were not ugly, you were just a nice cuddly size.
At least you can see where you might improve your appearance.
Like you I wonder why I do it, but that is wasting time.
You are doing it right, just get out there and do it.
For those that haven't visited.

Look at Cactussteve in the piccie section she looks good.

[Candice Mae]

Like all of us I wonder who is this beautiful young woman in the picture... And none of the girls on here are ugly, we are all just at different stages in our cding. Some of us are pro's others are rookies still finding their way.

[Ms. Laura]

All the time!

But.... I do it because for some reason it makes me happy! Really Happy! I'm never, ever, ever going to be Taylor Swift, but then neither will 2.45 billion other women. So, do the best you can and have fun with it.

[Annaliese]

I find I am harder on my self than other, I also think I look better in my fem picture than my male picture.

[IngeInCO]

I like myself better in the mirror than in pictures for sure. My self pics aren't the best.

At the end of the day Gwendolyn, we are guys after all, don't be so hard on yourself.

[tiffanynjcd24]

the reason i do it is to experience my femme side and feel comfortable

[Debbi]

I personally do not like the way I look in pictures. I try to look good in front of the camera, but the pictures never look right. Typically it takes me at least a hundred pics to find ONE that I'm barely comfortable with. When I see photos of myself, it is quite discouraging. But never to the point of questioning why I do what I do. But for the most part, I see my pictures as very disappointing. However, when I'm looking in the mirror, I LOVE what I see! I'm quite happy with how I look with a mirror in front of me. Why hasn't someone invented a picture taking mirror already!

Anyway, dressing and presenting myself as female brings, peace, happiness and excitement to my life like nothing else. Well, having wonderful friends of a like mind does to!

[Karren H]

Why you're crossdressing or why you're taking photos?

For me it's not why I crossdress its more why can't I look better? and that's the main reason I take so damn many photos......

[suchacutie]

I have to admit that the first time I look in the mirror after I've finished transitioning to Tina, I'm just amazed that Tina could emerge from my guy self! It always brings a smile, Tina just loves to smile, even at herself. It's not that Tina is overwhelmingly pretty, it's just that she's such a girl! It's worth a giggle every time:)

[Lorileah]

When I look at my pictures I wonder why I didn't do it years ago...I would love to see what I would have looked like then.

[Barbara Ella]

I admit that I take the pictures to see if I can look like I feel, and it does give me reinforcement to continue, and like Lorileah, I really really really wish I had done this many many many years ago.

Barbara

[Lynnmorgan451]

When I get the rare opportunity to dress all out, I take like 500 pictures of myself and I hold my body in uncomfortable poses, all contorted and sucking in my belly and out of the 500 I take, I end up with maybe 3 pics that are decent enough to share. A lot of them get ruined cuz you can see my stupid beard poking through the makeup..stupid beard :-p why couldn't laser treatments be cheaper!!!

[PaulaQ]

@Gwendolyn - you look fine, hon, and you'll improve even more with practice. You are NOT ugly!

As to why I do this? That's simple really - what prisoner doesn't want to get a chance for a walk in the yard to feel a few moment's of sunshine on her face and to inhale a few gasps of fresh air? A brief furlough before returning to her cell?

[Deedee Skyblue]

Gwendolyn, I don't think we can all be beautiful. But the point, I think, is we can all do something we enjoy.

Deedee

[kimdl93]

Gwen, it's true for many of us. I hate how I look in pictures, but that's as true when I'm in drabb as when en femme. But I still go out and get a few, perhaps overly generous, ma'am s and so far I haven't frightened any small children or animals. So I don't let the facts of my appearance, as I perceive it, limit my life.

[Nikki A.]

I am not good looking dressed but I don't scare the children either. But look at many GGs and they are no beauties either. The one thing I do, is try to look and act respectable. I may be ugly but I'll never end up on the "People of Walmart" lol

[Cheryl T]

Sometimes I look at myself or a nice photo of me and wonder why I ever change back to male. I'm so much happier with how I look as a woman and wonder why it took me so long to come out to my wife when I could have been enjoying myself for so much longer.

[Jaymees22]

I take a lot of pictures of myself, just to prove to myself I don't look too bad. Sometimes the man in a dress comes through, so I just keep trying, practice, practice and practice eventually you will do better. I looked at your pictures you look a lot better than many woman out there. Good luck, don't give up and most of all do what makes you happy and feels right...Hugs Jaymee

[Megan70]

I'm uglier than crap as a 66 yr old guy, have been since a pre-teen when my face started developing as the ugly duckling that everyone picked on and pointed and stared at. That is why Megan(formerly Sheila, Terry) was created,to present an alternate better side and look that makes me happy and self satisfied.

[Launa]

I usually take the pictures to see how I can improve my looks. I also keep some around for validation purposes. Remember to take some face shots and go on TAAZ.com. That can help improve your look for no extra costs..

[Anneliese]

I look at my pictures and think, "Damn, WHEN are you going to shave off your G-D beard and become the woman you are?"

[Stephanie Miller]

Each one of us is our own worst critic. I never got to it, but I keep trying to reach that elusive place of "good looking". So much so that I forgot all about just being me. Throw away the mirror and you'll be happier and have more fun with it.

"Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?"
Pablo Picasso

[Tracii G]

I don't think I look all that good most of the time but on those rare good days I feel like a million bucks!
I take lots of pics like most others and only end up with 5 or 10 good enough to post here.
You are not alone we all feel that way.

[sometimes_miss]

I never really looked at how I look when dressed female. I finally did after I posted some in the pictures section and I'm really wondering why I'm doing this at all. Cause it feels right for one. But man am I ugly.

Gwendolyn
+1. A lot of us feel that way. But we keep on doing it for exactly that reason, it feels right.

[docrobbysherry]

I'm a skinny, bearded, 60+ y/o old man. But, I'm NOT happy looking like one of those when I dress!

If u REALLY want to look better, Gwen, U CAN!

[~Joanne~]

I seriously think we are our own worst critics but at the same time you just can't help but be. I know my style of dress is good, my overall look body wise but when the head is in the picture I cringe. I have taken 3334 pictures to date (my system auto numbers them ;) ) and 4 videos. Out of the 3334 picture, I have maybe 8 that I really think look good. The videos are a complete wash lol

[Lynn Marie]

Actually I kind of like most of my pictures. I wouldn't have included a link to my Flickr site had I been embarrassed.

[jessbcuzz]

Sometimes it is the outfit that causes an "ugly" appearance. Some outfits look better than others Even my SO has stated that I look more girly in some outfits and others.... well... they are one and done! Try different outfits and you may be surprised.

[Caroline-Grant]

Actually whenever I look at pictures of myself I like how I look. Either I've never taken a bad picture or I'm not intelligent enough to know what ugly looks like.

[Geena75]

Any of my self images go right to the photo editor for cropping. Even then I keep about 1 in 20. It really is more about what you feel than what you see.

[Chickhe]

...as I get better at photography, its less about me being ugly and more like ... man that's bad lighting! I think most people can reach some level where they look decent even if they think they don't. Try taking a picture and looking at it again 1-2 week later to see how your perception changes.

[Maria S]

I am not photographic and I know I look better than photos just looking in the mirror or receiving compliments tells me this.

Maria

[FelicityMay]

There are some manly features that are just really hard to hide.
I sometimes want to give up when I feel my face is so wide, or that i have the flattest chest possible...
Just gotta remember that GG's arent perfect looking either, so its ok if you dont look like a model :)

[stephyX]

i would never edit but i do like looking back and seeing how different i am,i mainly notice im more confident dressed up so i see my pics as a reflection of a personal achievement :) why i never wills top what i do,love it too much x

[drag n fly]

I guess it depends on what one expects. i'm a 67 year old guy, with a belly... all i can hope for is to look like a fairly attractive old lady egad ..but that's good enough...smooches all jackie

[Emeraude]

I take the question to be more, "why do I crossdress?", in general. I have to say I often have days when I ask myself that question. Then I have moments when I ask myself, "why in the world wouldn't I want to crossdress?"

It's nothing if not confusing, in my experience.

[whowhatwhen]

I look at my pics and think "I may not pass, but at least I don't look nearly as bad as I do as a man."
I got my haircut today and the giant mirror is painful, I hate looking at myself and seeing all those faults and masculine features.

So, I guess it's kinda reverse - I should start to look more feminine all the time.

[SandraInHose]

Since I rarely dress head to toe (usually neck down sans breast forms), on those rare occasions when I do get gussied up with my wife's wig and makeup, a nice dress or skirt/blouse, etc, I really feel that maybe I could pass after all.

Then comes the mirror or the camera, and I'm quickly reminded of that old saying..."just a man in a dress". Actually a middle-aged overweight man in a dress. <sigh>

But I don't ever plan on stopping!

[Tara D. Rose]

For many years, I used to wonder why I do this. I don't wonder or ponder why anymore. I know this is something that I must do. It's always been with me and always will. I hate it in a lot of ways, but i have learned to love too. No longer hating myself as I once did.

[Annie M]

Yea I have a few photos and when I look at them I'm reminded of the line form On the Waterfront... "I coulda been a contender"

[Vanessa5]

I sometimes wonder why...then it occures to me that if I don't I become kinda crabby. I enjoy dressing and putting outfits together. There is a part of me that for some reason just needs to do this.

[MarinaKirax]

I like myself better in the mirror than in pictures for sure. My self pics aren't the best.

At the end of the day Gwendolyn, we are guys after all, don't be so hard on yourself.

I always LOVE lingering over a full length glimpse of myself in a mirror..... but photos, I agree, can be cruel. A few lines, the wrong posture, or lack of a smile, can instantly make me a man in a dress. But I love catching myself in the mirror, and THEN breaking into a smile, and I defy you to look anything but a natural woman for that split second.

[ossian]

One of the particular things I'm wondering about at the moment is that there are several issues at play.

Hello mirror:

1) Acceptance - do I accept who I am?

2) Performance - am I executing who I am right here right now?

PS - I hope this comes across ok.........

[ArleneRaquel]

If I'm not wearing my specs when I look into the mirror everything is perfect, with glasses I have my doubts. Actually I usually like my look and I love being female.

[Jennifer in CO]

the person I see today in photos, the mirror, or anywhere else, isn't the girl i was 30 years ago for sure....so I just don't look anymore. I was 6'1 and 125-135 pounds wearing an 8/10. Now, I'm 210 and lucky if I find a 16/18 that fits....which means its "vanity sized"

[bobadmire]

i have done it only a few times with my GF and i would need a lot of work to be able to go out in public i don't know why she though it was hot but i enjoyed it but in no way attractive in my mind

[Jenniferathome]

I review pictures to see what I can do to improve my presentation. I never wonder why I do it. "I cross dress therefore I am" to plagiarize and abuse the well known expression.

[Ciara Brianne]

I view my pics for several reason: to weed out the ones that I don't think are good enough, to get an objective view in order to see if I look as good in a picture as I sometimes think I do in the mirror, it has helped me accept who I am. Sometimes I view my pic just because I'm amazed at just how feminine and sexy I really look. (in my eyes anyway)

[NicoleScott]

I view my pics for several reason: to weed out the ones that I don't think are good enough, to get an objective view in order to see if I look as god in a picture as I sometimes think I do in the mirror

I hope you get that objective view BEFORE weeding out the bad pics. Otherwise, the objectivity is skewed.
I take pics, too, and see things the mirror doesn't reveal.
And, I take lots of bad ones for every good one. It's depressing sometimes. But I just look forward to doing it again, hoping for better results. haha

[Loni]

unknown no photos of myself (camera shy) but here i sit in my new corset. learning how to use one correctly, love the feel of it on.
first time on so have a ways to go.
but i do this and all the problems that go along cause i just love the clothing. longing to be the woman within.


.

[becky77]

I never wonder why I do it. I wonder why I was punished with this manly body.
I see some pictures and start to believe for a little while, but then remember the bad ones, my height etc and before I know it I'm hating myself again.
But the good pictures give me a glimpse of who I could have been, its a double edged sword.
Recently I even went out to a busy pub and then restaurant dressed with a friend, no one seemed to care but despite that I still can't see anything in the mirror other than an obvious man in a dress!

[NicoleScott]

I have to remind myself that my image is reversed in the mirror, so I like to take pix of my face IN the mirror, and then take some with the camera in front of me, on delayed timer.

Many photo editing tools, mine included, have a "flip" feature, allowing you to print your photo so that you look as you would in the mirror.

[LynnR]

Becky, I've just had a look at your Flickr stream and, take it from me, you are definitely not "an obvious man in a dress"! Your pictures are fantastic and you look every inch a beautiful woman.

[docrobbysherry]

Actually, after thinking about your post, Gwen, I realized it was Sherry's pics that have kept me so INTERESTED IN CONTINUING TO DRESS!

[becky77]

Becky, I've just had a look at your Flickr stream and, take it from me, you are definitely not "an obvious man in a dress"! Your pictures are fantastic and you look every inch a beautiful woman.


Thank you. And I want to believe it but I have suffered body dysmorphia so long, I just think people are telling me what I want to hear. It's also not true if I only pick the best pictures, I feel I am cheating!

[jenimithu]

i really like myself being dressed as a femine it's not abt the appearance it's not abt our look it's abt being ourselves

[JaytoJillian]

Like many here, my only regret is that I didn't begin to explore this wonderful "hobby" (for me it is a hobby) much earlier in life. When I look at my pics, I often contemplate what I can do to improve.

[audreyinalbany]

I, too, am often disappointed in how I look. I always THINK I'm not a bad looking woman, but then I see pictures of myself and it convinces me otherwise.

[Aly Cat]

I am definitely my own worst critic. I take a million shots and only keep like 2. I dont go all out fem so for me, I could care less about being passable and its more about seeing the cute clothes on me. The reason I am so picky is more about lighting, and reflections and how clear the photo is. Its always me taking photos of myself using my "cheese" feature on my camera phone so I always get angles and stuff wrong. I dont mind sharing my photos, but mostly they are just for me to use to look back and get those good feelings of getting to dress up during times when I cant be all dressed up. Helps get me through the day.

[Joanne108]

Actually when I look at my pics I know why I do this! Because I love getting dressed and looking like a woman! I think I look OK!

[mollycd99]

This has been one of my biggest barriers to dressing more. I feel feminine and pretty and free when I am dressed - and I love the feeling. Then I see myself in a mirror or a picture and I don't see a woman, I see a grotesque parody of a woman. And then all the shame and self-hate crashes down on me. At least it was like that for years. It is much better now. In part it's because I am more accepting of myself as who I am, and in part because I have decided that if this is who I am, I am going to work more on my presentation.

Beauty culture is a real bitch, though. If I want to be as pretty as I feel, damn, that's not going to be easy.