be you, find you, be happy with that

what if i said: “self portraits are important and you should take them on a regular basis.”

i know what you’re probably thinking…. “why do i need to take a picture of myself? I know what i look like… i need to lose 10 pounds… i don’t like my nose…”

the world of self-portraiture is a fascinating one to me. It gets you to ask yourself:  Who am I? not a simple answer for anyone….and often leads to several other questions:

What makes me, ME? How do i want people to see me? How can I reinvent myself? Am I changing daily? Am I changing year-to-year? Who do i want to become? …..and since it’s a NEW year, ask yourself THESE questions, too!

Oftentimes when we see a self portrait as a bio pic or something…obviously taken with a cell phone in a bathroom mirror… (complete with toilet in the background) we have a slight tendency to think that person may be borderline self-absorbed or even egocentric. But if you begin to analyze it, that person was probably having a spectacular day. Something made them feel great about themselves and they felt confident enough to document it. Like after a run…or after a new haircut. Sometimes the simple act of taking the time on your make-up can make you feel like a million bucks! So why NOT? Start today. With built in camera’s on nearly every cell phone, there is virtually opportunity to capture a quick image of yourself 24/7. Sure…you wouldn’t want to remember yourself on your ugly-fat-pants days, or with a naked face, or if you’re sick or something….   but why not document your own growth as your own person on a day you feel extra lovely?

evolve.

be better for yourself.

after all, you can only see the subtle changes in yourself if you, yourself, take notice. And what better way than a very quick, very easy self portrait. see Tara Whiteny’s self portraits HERE [a very candid photographer i wish to meet someday!] or Kristen Duke’s take on them…

…and while in Texas last spring at the Wildflowers workshop with Joy, she strongly believes in 1 self portrait a month as a growth project. She shared with us this amazing photographer, Vivian Maier, who was discovered by accident, actually. This random guy purchased several totes of black and white negatives –beautiful, amazing images of street life in the 1950’s through the 1990’s–from a Chicago auction for $400 and was left with a huge responsibility. See— Vivian was a nanny and in her off time she walked around the streets of Chicago and photographed the world as she saw it. None of the negatives were ever printed or seen by anyone, and many were still on the original undeveloped rolls. And if it weren’t for her huge assortment of self-portraits, no one would know who this amazing undiscovered artist was—and how she saw herself. raw. no photoshop. Hail to the self-portrait! see a video clip HERE. Your jaw will drop.

hopefully this inspires you to look at yourself in a new way… start snapping. you won’t regret it.

read some tips from my favorite, Elsie Larson!