When was the last time a commercial brought tears to your eyes? For me, it was a recent Pampers ad. Instead of showing how much a diaper holds, it tapped into the heart of parenthood — the sleepless nights, the tender giggles, the overwhelming love.

That’s the power of emotion. People don’t connect with features; they connect with feelings.

The same principle applies to branding photography.

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying things like “I’m such an idiot” or pointing out what you don’t like about your body while talking with your girlfriends, you’re not alone. Our culture almost makes it normal to bond over self-criticism. But here’s the truth: every time we speak those words, even in jest, our body and brain are listening. And it’s cringeworthy — not just to those around us, but to ourselves.

It’s time to flip the script.