The Death of Perfect (And Why That’s The Best Thing For Your Photography)

Hey Creative Souls! This week we’re chatting about how perfect simply isn’t what resonates anymore, so it definitely shouldn’t be your goal. 

Remember when we spent hours making every pixel pristine? When shoots felt like archaeological digs for imperfections to eliminate? Well, grab your intentionally unfocused lens, because we need to talk about the beautiful chaos Gen Z just unleashed on our perfectly curated world.

Model Bethany Didtrek (me!) shot by Kathy Beutelspacher @___skart___

The Perfect Storm

A generation raised on seeing behind every curtain, watching every “Instagram vs. Reality” post, and surviving a pandemic through their phone screens just decided that perfection is suspicious. And just like that, decades of photographic convention got flipped on it’s head. There’s still room for crisp and the perfectly imperfect images – but viewers are attracted to seeing things that they feel give them a glimpse of realness.

The New Rules of (Dis)Order

Here’s what’s actually happening:

• That slight motion blur? Now it’s a feature, not a bug
• Color grading that looks like your first attempt at Lightroom? Intentional
• Random objects in frame? That’s called “authenticity,” darling

But here’s the twist: This isn’t just about being messy. It’s calculated authenticity that requires more skill than the old way. Plot twist: Making something look effortlessly imperfect? That’s the hardest perfect of all.

Model Bethany Didtrek (me!) shot by Vasilios Ikosipentarchos @picsbybilly

Why It’s Working (The Psychology Behind the Chaos)

1. Trust Economy
   • Perfect = Suspicious
   • Flaws = Relatable
   • Reality = Currency
2. Digital Fatigue
   • We’re tired of seeing the same presets
   • We’re exhausted from perfection
   • We’re craving something that feels real

How to Nail the New Perfect –The New Technical Checklist:

• Shoot through things (bonus points if it’s slightly dirty glass)
• Embrace natural light (especially when it’s “wrong”)
• Keep those happy accidents (that random reflection? chef’s kiss)

Model Bethany Didtrek (me!) shot by Sumantha Bolledla @havsuclicks

The New Creative Checklist:

• Document the process, not just the result
• Show the mess behind the magic
• Capture moments between moments

But Here’s The Real Tea…

The biggest irony? This “death of perfect” requires perfect execution. It’s like being so good at jazz you can hit the wrong notes exactly right. You need to:

• Know the rules to break them properly
• Understand perfect to dismantle it effectively
• Master control to embrace chaos beautifully

The Brand Effect

Luxury brands are scrambling. Why?

• Glossy ads feel out of touch
• Perfect feels inauthentic
• Raw feels luxurious (plot twist!)

Even Gucci’s latest campaign looks like it was shot with a level of artful nonchalance that makes it seem like you’re just watching a couple’s normal interactions. And it’s working.

Where the Light Finds Us shot by Xavier Dolan For Gucci Spring/Summer 2025

View the whole campaign here.

Action Steps for Tomorrow’s Shoot

1. Delete your presets (okay, maybe just hide them)
2. Shoot through something (anything!)
3. Keep the “mistakes”
4. Document the mess
5. Tell the whole story, not just the highlight reel

The Future Is Imperfect

Here’s the beautiful truth: We’re not just changing how we shoot; we’re changing what we value. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s the new luxury.

Keep it real (but make it fashion),

Bethany

P.S. Your “worst” shots from last year? Might be time to revisit them. Today’s mistakes are tomorrow’s masterpieces.