Le Chateau sweater (c/o) (similar)
Needle & Thread dress
Chanel handbag
Celine sunglasses
Keltie Leanne Designs ring (c/o)
Strut Jewelry ring (c/o)
Caroline Neron earrings (c/o)
Location: Le Jardin du Petit Palais – Paris, France
These photos have proven to be some of my favourites that we took in Paris last year, and some of the best loved snapshots that I’ve shared on instagram over the past several months. But I can’t help but wince a little whenever I look at them. I had a plan for these photos. And when that plan didn’t go seamlessly, my latent perfectionism took over.
It was a sunny morning in May. We rose early to be at the Musee Rodin for opening, with grand plans to capture photos in their rose garden. But much to my surprise, when we arrived, we found the garden under construction, with almost no blooms in sight. We found a pretty spot near the museum door, but this made us highly visible – and since it was early, with few tourists yet on sight, highly noticeable. In typical French fashion, an imperious security guard informed us that we had no right to take photos in the garden without explicit written permission. No amount of explanations about the fact that our shoot was not professional in nature were enough to satisfy him and despite, the fact that we had paid our entry fee, we wound up leaving in frustration.
Perfectionism is a powerful, ugly thing. At that point, I was absolutely ready to give up. I had no backup plan. I couldn’t envision the photos I had planned for months any other way. Ian tried to make helpful suggestions about alternate shoot locations, but it was no use. When I get into that perfectionist headspace where everything must be just so, it seems impossible to tear myself out of it again, even though I know my behaviour is both irrational and ridiculous.
And so, we walked. I was wearing a gown, holding up the hem to reveal my cobblestone-battered sneakers. I must have looked insane. But I was stuck. Blocked. Perfectionism is like that; the pursuit of something flawless leads, inevitably, to self-limitation, fear of failure and total creative paralysis.
Eventually, after blocks and blocks of walking while I raged at our inability to get the snapshots of my dreams, we arrived at Pont Alexandre III. “Could this spot work as an alternative?” Ian wondered. I grudgingly agreed to give it a try. And to my surprise some of the shots, while different than what I had wanted, looked quite lovely. Maybe the shoot could be salvaged after all, I thought. The Petit Palais was nearby; if we stopped for a cup of coffee, I could regroup and decide what other photos we needed. Once inside the courtyard, I realised it was the perfect place for the last photos – better, even, maybe, than the Musee Rodin could have been if it had gone according to plan.
And that’s just the thing. When I finally let go of my perfectionist need to be in control, to have everything go my way, we wound up getting better photos than I could have imagined. That’s what makes perfectionism so utterly absurd. But still, it continues to be something I really struggle with, particularly when it comes to my creative projects. If you’re a perfectionist like I am, how do you cope?
I’m definitely a perfectionist and I find it extremely difficult to let that go. Last night I was absolutely paralyzed with anxiety for about 20 minutes when, as I was reading another book, I realized there was a small passage in my book that would have been written differently if I’d read that other book earlier. I realize how silly that is and how it really, truly doesn’t matter (not even a tiny bit) but it just about pushed me over the edge!
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
Hello,
Perfect look !
Sarah, http://www.sarahmodeee.fr
I completely get the disappointment of traveling somewhere for an attraction only to find it under construction, getting ones hopes up for that perfect photo only to have to yanked away. Naturally, even though I know this has happened more than once, I’m struggling to remember what are where they were. Because all that really matters is what did happen, the photos you did get to take and the memories you did get to make. I know how hard it can be to adapt when your careful plans fall apart, how that disappointment seeks to dash out any hope of making the situation better. I’m happy you had Ian with you, and that he was able to guide you to a new and better destination. The photos are gorgeous of course, and you are making me long for weather when long pink maxis are appropriate.
(oh, just remembered on of those situations, cherry blossom festival – too many people, hardly any blossoms left on the trees)
http://iamchiconthecheap.com
The photos – and the dress (that color!) – are absolutely stunning. I’m so glad it worked out, but I do understand (and, although with different context, have been there.) This is something I need to remember for myself: “the pursuit of something flawless leads, inevitably, to self-limitation, fear of failure and total creative paralysis.” I’m writing it down, in fact.
Happy Monday, Cee. Hope it was a good one. I’ve managed to catch another god awful flu… so let’s hope I’m able to get out an intelligible comment. Fevers do not help. Boo!! But nevertheless, I LOVE this topic, because I too am a perfectionist (as you know) so this is definitely near & dear to my heart. Plus, I couldn’t agree more, getting stuck, is the worst thing. Ever! And it absolutely stops us from letting the good in… that’s been a big lesson for me as of late. So thrilled you were able to find the moment and you have these gorgeous photos to reflect on. Absolutely love them and what you wore!! xo
http://www.girlandcloset.com
Another absurdity of perfectionism is the fact that it’s only you know in your head what it is you had originally planned…
I think these pictures are just
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You definitely chose a good location for the pictures and that outfit (especially the skirt) is amazing.
Sometimes things don’t always go to plan, but then that’s when some of the best things are created – like these photos!
Cee, I would’ve NEVER thought by looking at these photos that you went through all of that. How crazy! Photographs and videos should now be allowed EVERYWHERE! It’s the uttmost in flattery! Oh well! I THINK THESE PICTURES ARE PERFECT! GOSH, you look AH-MAZING and I love how everything is styled. PERFECT!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
Oh Cee, I feel your pain. When it comes to photos I am a monster, until they are perfect I keep pushing myself to the limit, and they are never perfect of course. Maria Remarque wrote that if you were perfect, you belong in a museum, it is one of my favorite quotes.
I am really struggling to battle my perfectionism and it is an ongoing battle.
Of course the outfit is spectacular, you look like a princess!