Yahoo Sports Photographer doesn’t force little girls to smile in photoshoots, and TikTok is calling the results ‘powerful’
Brooke Light, a photographer from Charlotte, N.C., has people talking after sharing one of her main rules when photographing girls: If they don’t want to smile, they don’t have to — simple as that.
The approach is meant to put them at ease, boost confidence and not force her subjects to convey false emotions. But after showing off some of the photoshoot results on TikTok, people on the platform have found themselves experiencing some surprisingly emotional reactions to the images.
“never underestimate the power of a photoshoot for your kids confidence,” Light (@bdlighted) wrote in the TikTok post caption.
In the video text, the photographer elaborates further that her photoshoots “allow girls to show up, take up space and not smile if they don’t want to.”
The black-and-white portraits that follow are striking and moody. Instead of capturing “happy” little girls in some kind of a commercial store ad, Light portrays them as strong, independent and more in control of their own image than we typically see in young models.
People have applauded Light’s unique style in the comments section, along with her refreshing approach to capturing female subjects.
One person called the photos “powerful and authentic,” while another said, “This just healed my inner child a little bit.”
Others said the very concept of not making girls smile made them emotional since it often brings with it so many negative connotations.
“I love how they are not trying to be anything ‘extra,'” one person noted. “just their own raw and savage selves.”
It’s no secret that women have been fed up with being told to smile their entire lives — often by men and society at large. Like it or not, this can start pretty young, with girls being made to feel as though they should always appear happy and eager to please and never, ever complain. When they get older, being told to “smile” may come from men catcalling them on the street or even colleagues and bosses in the workplace.
In fact, one study cited by Yahoo! Finance found that 98 percent of women said they’ve been told to smile at least once in their life, and 15 percent said it continues to be a weekly experience. Many said it happens the most at work but also occurs frequently in public and sometimes even at home.
This is the pattern that Light is so clearly trying to break in her own small but powerful way. And so far, it seems to be resonating deeply with all those who view her work.
“CHILLS!!” one person wrote on her now-viral post. “This healed something in me, thank you.”
Light later addressed the positive feedback she’s been getting in a follow-up post, which also showed that she doesn’t make boys smile, either.
“these mom’s got me blushing in my DMs,” the photographer captioned the post. “I’ve never had my creativity or my photography validated so much in my life. thank you for the outpouring of love on these photos this week. it’s meant more than you can ever know.”
In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News — follow us here!
The post Photographer doesn’t force little girls to smile in photoshoots, and TikTok is calling the results ‘powerful’ appeared first on In The Know.
More from In The Know:
TikToker demands Amazon explain this bizarre polka-dot dress listing: 'HOW is this allowed??'
5 summer wardrobe essentials you should buy during the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale
The 12 best carry-on luggage pieces that will definitely fit in the overhead compartment
