I’ve felt it once: what it’s like to hand over control while being the subject yourself.
And suddenly, I understood how my clients must feel when they entrust me with the design of their book, website, or print materials.
It happened during a photoshoot for a magazine article. At the time, I was regularly asked to share my thoughts on what it’s like to be a 100% single parent running a business, trying to hold your own in a world where women, and especially single women, are still viewed differently. My hair and makeup were done professionally. With every stroke of makeup, every bit of blush and lipstick, I felt more and more like I was disappearing. By the time they were finished, I barely recognized myself. The dress I was wearing could have easily covered a month’s rent.
Then it was the photographer’s turn. Sit here. Hold that pose. Look that way. Honestly, I had no idea posing could be so exhausting. But what felt even more uncomfortable was this: the team decided which photos were “good.” I had no control. I just had to trust that it would turn out right.
Luckily, my daughter was there for moral support—and for the snapshots she took on her phone, where I could still see a glimpse of myself. After the shoot, I slipped back into my old, trusted jeans and tied my hair up in a bun. Not as glamorous as the photos, but finally, myself again. From that moment on, I made a conscious decision: to give my more hesitant clients extra reassurance and earn their trust.
Because in the end, we’re doing this together. Together, you create something more beautiful than you ever could alone.
#design #dtp #graphicdesign
I’m Mireille, and I translate ideas into graphic design that works. With over 25 years of experience, I help entrepreneurs build a visual identity that lasts.