C’est moi
5 years ago by
I say “no” now. Sometimes I forget, though, and I have to go back and make up for it. And it took time for me to learn how to say it without suffocating and turning red (OK, that still happens sometimes, but I’m owning it), or turning my “no” into a little “yes” after one second.
In photo shoots, you have to say no a lot. No to the makeup artist who wants to give you a face you’re not happy with. No to the hair stylist, no to the stylist, no to the photographer even, sometimes.
Explaining: This type of thing doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried it a million times. This is my better angle, and the best makeup for my eyes, and this is what would make me feel beautiful, or interesting, or more myself.
We’re often told we have to learn how to say no, but for me, my path to saying no meant saying yes a million times first. And regretting it. And getting screwed all over again.
My “no” comes from experience. It took time, but it’s there now.
The funny thing is, when you start saying no, you soon find you don’t even need to say it anymore. Because from that “no” comes a confidence that puts people at ease and makes them want to follow your lead. Suddenly, everything flows.
With Stephanie and Justin from Co, and with Amanda Demme, the photographer and their team, the whole shoot was a “yes”. Easy, warm, minimal, confident. I felt celebrated and I celebrated too — the creativity and generosity of each person and the story we were creating together.
As a result, in the photos, it’s me. Poised, calm, confident.
I’m very proud of this campaign, which for me is a symbol of the new energy I want to breathe into my life — an energy of confidence, friendship and shared creativity.
Thank you Co, Amanda Demme, and the whole team!
As an average looking, 64-year-old woman, this piece speaks to something I have been grappling with recently. And that is, people who love to snap “candids” on their iPhones and then post them. The next thing I know, there is a publicly posted photo of someone who resembles me, from the side, looking down, with a grumpy expression, as her face and neck drip down into her chest. I end up crushed about this for days — I know it’s superficial and it’s my own vanity but WHY?
Why would you snap that photo in the first place? Why would you then post it? It is not even that hard to get a decent picture of me, no matter how lousy a photographer you are. Just allow me the chance to look up and put a decent expression on my face. Young people: learn to edit, learn to ask, and learn to use the ‘delete’ button on your camera app.
That is all. Thank you for allowing me to vent.
” Young people: learn to edit, learn to ask, and learn to use the ‘delete’ button on your camera app.”
Judith I love this last line. I just came back from a group vacation and was the subject of many unsolicited photos. I just accepted it as the thing to do. Now I will speak up more often.
Yay Garance for learning to say no. The photos and you are stunning. I love the new Garance.
I thought I was getting better until I read Judith’s comment. No is a very empowering word.
Totally understand that and can relate to that, because I feel the same. Why do not they ask first? I usually say “please don’t” to peaple taking my photo without asking me, but that usually leads to surprise and me being considered uncool. Why? :) I would so much appreciate if we respected each others sovereignty.
We both see and salute you Madame Dore!
You’re definitely on to something. I feel that as woman we say ‘yes’ more often than we should (it has even been proven that linguistically speaking a woman is more likely to say yes than a man), and learning how to say no can be so important!
These minimalist white and black outfits fit you so well. I love this editorial, so natural!
Ca doit être un truc de Taureau, moi aussi j’ai du mal à dire non et je rougis et parfois je cède. Mais j’apprends à dire non, ça va venir.
Je te trouve sereine et radieuse (et belle évidemment) sur ces photos.
“Because from that ‘no’ comes a confidence that puts people at ease and makes them want to follow your lead. Suddenly, everything flows.”
This is so, so true.
Instead of being disappointing or off-putting, a calm and confident “no” allows a refreshing clarity to arise.
Garance, dans mes bras!
Je viens juste de terminer une journée pourrie parce que je n’ai pas su dire non, votre article tombe à pic!
Tellement corse! <3
I think the trick to say «no» without saying it,in this kind of situations, is learning how to use your body language, you know what i mean?
And people from CO ,readers from the Doré community, from 1 to 10, how Beautiful and Tasteful are the photos above ?
For me? A Solid 10!!! Of course the Model is just Brilliant but…
*_*
(PS: Love Sophisticated Minimal with a scandinavian feel!!! It’s totally You, G !!!)
Increasingly, the line between advertising and content on this site has become completely blurred and, as a long-time reader, I find it really disappointing.
Bonjour,
Cette campagne est très réusssie et les boots que vous portez sur les photos (répérée également sur leur site) à tomber. Pouvez-vous préciser qui les vend?
Merci!
that made me remember of a brazilian song wich says: ‘dizer não é dizer sim, saber o que é bom pra mim’. someting like: ‘to say is not to say yes, to know what is good for me’. a must to when it comes to freedom and self-respect.
it took years for me to learn and i’m still trying since i have demanding enchanting girls.
garancedore,
OK, I‘ve always wanted to be Instagram-famous, too.
Well, today I will teach you some things that will improve the way you Instagram.
Imagine: it is the wee hours of the morning and you told yourself you’d go for a run today.
You roll over in bed to check your cell.
Navigate your way to your page.
You‘re flabbergastered at what you see: Over 738 likes on a single one of your pictures! There, you see a flurry of likes on your pictures–over 738 on a single photo alone.
You hop out of your bed, and head to the kitchen. You want a drink, so you put the kettle on for some tea, and check Instagram again.
Bam! Another 20 likes.
And another message just popped up. It’s from one of your followers asking about your diet, and giving you daps on your sixth official month of eating healthy.
As you read it, you begin to smile. It’s a really hot person, and they love your posts.
As you begin to respond, your cell buzzes again.
It’s another message coming in. You glance up at the clock–almost time for the gym. You will have to hit them up later.
Let’s stop the simulation there. People have a hard time getting what they want in life. People can hardly get themselves to eat a good breakfast.
I’m here to show you how to take control of your Instagram.
Imagine if you could raise your engagement by 100%, or 1000%?
It is not difficult to do, although almost no one does. Just check out our website. There, you will learn how to garner Instagram likes and followers like mad…easily.
Automagically see tons of likes on your images just minutes after posting.
The “Top Post” section, all of a sudden, does not seem that far away.
Sound too good for reality? Just follow these steps to get a taste:
1. Check out https://plantspace.press
2. Enter your Instagram username.
3. 10 – 15 likes are going to be sent to your three most recent uploads. Just like that.
Being a regular staple on that page will supercharge your growth 10x, easy. You know where the answer to fame is. Now reach for it. Are you ready?
Happy image-uploading.