a present to yourself

When I submitted a prompt for #reverb10 I crossed my fingers that it would be chosen for the month long project. Little did I know that it would end up being the prompt for Christmas day. I couldn't be more delighted! I can think of no better way to celebrate this time of looking back and looking ahead than to do so through photographs.

Over the last year I have had plenty of pictures taken of me; self-portraits (such as the shot above) as well as images taken by my daughters, and even some taken by Shutter Sisters. With each shot, something more is revealed. I see a clearer picture of  who I am.

The prompt today is specific however. Find a picture taken of youself that best captures you. Either who you are or who you strive to be.

I have found that when you allow your truest self to be seen, really and truly seen, you are set free. There is so much power in that it gives me chills just writing about it. I know this freedom to be true from first hand experience. When Shutter Sister, and dear dear friend, Jen Lemen shot this image of me on one of the most sacred beaches I have walked on, she captured me in a way I have never seen myself before. Every time I look at it, I get goose bumps. Who is this woman? Confident, strong, powerful, true, real. Even though I might not always consider myself in these terms, I've got a photograph to prove that I am all these things and more. It's pictures like these of ourselves that are worth a thousand words.

This prompt isn't an easy one. It might take some time to excavate a shot from the 2010 archives. But, I do hope you spend the time needed to study the pictures of yourself over the past year to see what kind of magic you find. When you do, please share it with us here. Leave a link to your photo and/or post in the comments. On Wednesday, I will pick two winners from the comments. One person will be given a copy of Expressive Photography: A Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From the Heart and the other will get a complimentary spot in my next photo-centric e-class Picture Winter, just for playing along.

Thank you #reverb10 for such an inspiring experience this month. It's been amazing.

Comments

[Stacey]

After reading this post I knew exactly which photo to choose.

It was a long, emotional week of sending my oldest to kindergarten. I had cried a lot of tears, prayed a lot of prayers, and at the end of the week realized I had learned a lot about myself. I started my "five of Fridays" on my blog that day, and documented my self reflections, including a reflection of myself I took in the mirror. The picture itself is nothing that special. It's not that "creative", in a photography sense. Just me, no makeup, in sweats, my face worn from the emotion of the week. But whenever I look at it I'm reminded of that week and what I learned, what God taught me about myself....I get emotional just thinking about it.

Here's the picture and post: http://sdanddoublee.blogspot.com/2010/09/five-on-friday-self-reflection.html

Merry Christmas!!

[Line]

★ ★ Lumière *. • ˚ ˚ •. ★ ★ Joie *. °. ° * * ★ ★ • ˚Abondance ˚ ★ ★ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•. Joyeuses Fêtes ˚ ˚ ★. * ˚ ★ ★ ★
˚ ˛ • ˛ • ˚ *. ˚ ˚ ˛ ★ ★ ˚

[georgia]

i did not have to dig very far back into 2010. only about a month. truthfully, i have not had many photos taken of myself this year. but there is one thing i wanted a photo of me for this year more than anything else. a photo that shows what will forever mark 2010 as one of the most incredible years of my life. not just incredible-good. incredible-everything!

it marks the year i changed from being simply a woman and wife to being a mother. and at 39 {expecting it would never happen for me}, it is a last quarter of a year {transitioning into a new year} filled with great uncertainty, but even greater joy and gratitude. my first trimester was marked with a sense of calm and utter protective care for the little one growing inside me. and i am not normally a calm person {as i tend to worry}. i think mother nature kicked in and helped me be at rest, at ease with pregnancy, even with all its questions and uncertainties.

anyway, that is why i love this photo of me. although i did not take it, i directed it so that my friend could take it of me as to document my first small about of belly growth at 12 weeks. i loved the serenity that came through in the photo, because that was truly how i felt at the time. i truly hope to carry that peace and calm with me all the way through the pregnancy and for the rest of my life as a mother.

this is the most surreal christmas for me. trying to imagine what next year will be like with an addition to our family... after not ever knowing what that is like for the first ten years of this marriage and family of two. i am a different person since i found out i am pregnant. not just different-pregnant. different-everything. i hope this is a reflection of the new me.

sorry to ramble, but this post deeply resonated with me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, tracey!
{and all the shutter sisters!}

[Andreas]

I love this challenge and it didn't take but a second to know exactly what photo I would choose.

I'm in my early 40's and I've never graduated anything, never completed a class from start to finish, left high school early, never did college. I started so many different things enthusiastically and then for one reason or another I stopped before completing them. In Sept '09 I started a volunteer training at my local Bird Rescue center to become a "Raptor Handler", I was quite sure I wouldn't be good at it, that I'd quit before the new year, but in the back of my mind I was trying to make a commitment to stick with it. The program is hard and long, there are exams and we meet each week to work with the 19 resident birds of prey, learning the intricacies of each bird.
By the end of January '10 I was starting to look for an out, trying to think of any excuse I could not to continue- as though dropping out were hard wired into my system. The classes were getting harder and I knew I would fail so I wanted to bolt before that happened, but I also desperately wanted to stay. I wanted to make it through the class and be an "independent handler", someone who can go in anytime during the week and take out a bird on their own, without supervision. I wanted to finish something I started and prove to myself I could do it, but I really wasn't sure I could.
A month later, still fighting with myself to stay in the program, I was asked to help with a field trip of kids coming to the center for a presentation. A friend of mine was in town the same day and was permitted to sit in on the show and take photos.
When I saw this photo of myself, handling a Barn Owl in front of a class of 3rd graders I knew I could never leave. I knew I had to stay and finish the training no matter what, because there I was, me, with an actual Barn Owl looking me in the eye and a bunch of kids all ooohing and ahhhing at how cool and amazing that bird is. I remembered when I was their age and I saw someone handling a hawk and I thought that person was the coolest person I'd ever seen- and now that person is me. The photo made it all real.
Since then not only did I complete the training in May, but I've been asked to train our newest recruits and most recently been asked to step up as the assistant to the head of the raptor dept.
It really has changed my life, in such a rich and unimaginable way. This photo was the first glimpse I had of who I wanted to be and I still pinch myself when I see it- that this is what I get to do in this life. Working with birds was a dream I didn't even know could possibly be a reality and now its what I do, every week. Its shown me I can accomplish things. Its opened my world up to anything I can possibly dream up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wholycrow/4402031151/in/photostream/

thanks for asking this question. I look forward to seeing everyones photos!
Happy Holidays everyone!

[tara]

My husband snapped this photo of a very pregnant me just the other day, strolling through Paris.

Mind you, this is not *the Paris.* I've struggled with our recent move -- this is not my home and never will be. That evening, however, I allowed myself to appreciate the artifice for what it is. It happened to be my birthday and I was in the company of my two favorite fellas ... and I was actually comfortable in my unwieldy body ... and I loved the gentle tug of my son's hand and I can't think of a single thing that could have made me happier in that moment.

Plus, we were in Paris. ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/impossibletask/5281673145/

[AnnGeeDee]

I love this shot because it's really the first time that I was able to capture on my camera what I was invisioning in my head. I bought an enormous tub of glitter and waited for the kids to go to bed. I fiddled with my camera and my remote and stood out in the semi-freezing evening taking shot after shot until I finally got it right. It gives me more confidence to know I can achieve what I set out to do when things like this happen. And it fits perfectly with the line "see what magic you find." http://www.flickr.com/photos/anngeedee/5243249698/ Merry Christmas!

[Aubrey]

Nice post. Empowering. Thank you. My daughter snapped this one of me, but I love it because it is me real, and bing silly. I am trying not to shy away from the camera so much!
http://365daysofnormal.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-262.html

[Aubrey]

*being

Merry Christmas!

[kristin]

ah yes. i occasionally like to see myself as others see me.
this was taken by my husband. a real moment. something in my face here really makes my heart swell. i am a mom. i want them to always feel my deep love for them, i tell them to "hug like you mean it" and this shot is just what i mean...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/4588252510/in/set-72157619934683844/

[georgia]

oh, bummer.
i got on the train to go see my in-laws this morning... after i had left my comment here.
and then i realized i never posted the link to the photo that went with my comment.
: )

here it is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/5278241252/lightbox/

[Texan Mama]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texanmama/5276306216/

This is actually the same photo I posted before. It is one of my favorite pictures of 2010, but it also happens to be a photo with me in it. I love the angle, how it's composed, and especially the moment captured between me and my daughter.

[Alana]

I almost skipped this post, just like I skipped being in front of the camera most of the year. I'm glad I didn't. I found the one and only picture of me from this year that I love.

http://lifeafterbenjamin.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/self-portrait-with-love/

And that picture Jen took of you on the beach is stunning. Wow.

Merry Christmas.

[Vincci]

Thanks for this prompt! It was a lot of fun thinking back at the handful of photos that were taken of me this year, though I knew right away which one I was going to choose: http://flic.kr/p/94CGVi

Merry Christmas!

[susan]

I took this last year when working on self-portrait assignment for a film class. Arguably, I probably had much better self-portraits from my attempted 52 weeks project from the past year. But I'm always drawn to this one. Its a good reminder to be creative. If i didn't misplace my tripod.. i would of never thought of warping my camera around a ceiling fan in order to disparately fill 32 exposures. Then i had to developer it by hand in the darkroom. Even the negatives. Honestly, I've never owned a film camera before that..so i have a new found appreciated for 1hr photo. :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-konayuki-/4529734729/in/set-72157619887030618/

[Kat]

There are moments that are a turning point, that you don't realize until later. This self portrait, snapped in our apartment elevator and initially discarded, represents one of those moments for me. It is interesting how you can look back and see more context, more meaning, given time.

http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/05/intuition-and-gratitude-and-joy.html

[Robin~All Things Heart and Home]

This photo is from my pitiful attempt to take a SP a week, after 9 weeks I was so sick of myself I had to stop. But this one shows something in me that doesn't come completely natural...playfulness-hope-even a little excitement.
My personality is more guarded facing the future with a wrinkled brow, always ready to flinch...I want this Robin to be more present in 2011...xo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30016063@N03/4325341580/in/set-72157623140164456/

(thank you for this...it's been quite a discovery exercise for me...)

[claudia]

I've not been very good about keeping up on my sp 52 wk project, I get one in here and there when I think of it. I'm glad I took this shot while we were on a little weekend get away to a state park... most of the rest are of my husband and the boys. I shot this at arm's length with my 50 on a pontoon... just making sure everyone remembers I was there too ;) Photographer, wife, mom, homeschool teacher... I have other shots I like better, but this is who I see in the mirror
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/5024072497/in/set-72157624077526649/

[iHanna]

I really like the relaxed happy look that this image shows:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ihanna/5107364653/

and I like that it is taken with a cell phone, just a quick shot just because, on the best autumn walk of 2010. :-)

XOXOX

[Trish]

My response can be found here:
http://ceilidhontherun.com/?p=738

[Jessie]

November was pretty hard this year. I miscarried at 13 weeks and it devastated me. I had a dark cloud above me that I couldn't shake. I was forcing myself to smile. I made myself get out of bed everyday to care for my family who needed me. The shot I chose is one that I entered into a weekly photo challenge so I had to take a lot of self portraits that day. Friends that read my blog emailed me and told me that this post gave them hope I was starting to heal. Hubs was hanging lights on our roof and he was flirting with me since I was next to the window. My family has given me so much love and strength to get through this and slowly I am.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11842226@N06/5293344800/
Next year I might have more to choose from because I am doing the 52 week self project. I am excited for a new challenge.

[writemuch]

what a great spot, and a terrific challenge. I'm going to head out this morning and take photos in the snow, our first Dec. 25/26 snow in NC in over 60 years. loving reverb.
http://writemuch.blogspot.com

[melissa]

thank you for this invitation, tracey. what i first noticed was how few photos i appear in (mostly capturing moments with others in the images). then, i saw this photo taken by my sister-friend of 27 years...a simple, sacred, ordinary and beautiful moment by the water with our families.

http://melissarivera.wordpress.com/about-me/

[damiec]

I started taking sps this year as part of 52 weeks of BAM & have come around to being much more comfortable being in front of the camera than behind it, funny then, that my favorite photo of the year is one my husband took of me. It helped me to visualize myself as a photographer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40528133@N06/5176960296/

[Lauren]

Wow. This was a tough one and I'm not sure I have a solid answer yet. Why? Because I'm so critical of myself and where I'm at on my journey. In the end I guess I'll pick the very first thing that popped into my mind:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/5293984475/

[Heather M.]

this is one of my very favorite self portraits. they are so hard to take but i love how this one turned out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30912270@N03/4593847501/in/set-72157623205394620/

[Rebecca S]

What a prompt, really made me think. This http://www.rebeccaspencerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Mask.jpg is a photo I took for Picture Fall called Mask, I think it says a lot about me as I have so many masks. My resolution for 2011 is to try to go without one for a while and see what happens.

[Jess]

Mid-summer I became a self-portrait nut. There is something so challenging technically, emotionally, creatively... that just grabbed me and there was no escape. I've come to see myself differently, in a much better way... I'm debating doing a SP 365 for 2011.

Of all I photos I took, this one best represents the real me. I'm holding a hot, chirping, cracked egg that quivered and quaked with the new life that was about to break through. My world just entirely stopped as I sat there, completely in awe of the mystery taking place in my hands. With the tiniest bit of my help, my hens had done it. We had baby chicks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/4867512989/in/set-72157624396478221/

[joey]

Nope, there aren't many shots of me either. This, however, was for sure a moment that deserved a photo! I think I look pretty good, considering what I just finished doing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/5295521416/

[Nicole]

A lot of my self portraits are from behind the camera lens. The one I chose epitomizes the effort I generally put in to include myself in the picture - reflection in a mirror or window with the camera held up in front of my face. I have vowed that, in the coming year, I will make more of an effort to include myself in the photos - and even take more photos that are just me using a self timer and remote.. I'm sure my children will thank me for it later - even the one who is pushing the lens away. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicoleishida/4358520964/

[Lizz]

I was away for the holiday weekend, so I just responded to your prompt and 2 others this morning... it's so easy for us (moms/photographers) to get forgotten in the creation of the photos... I had to find one someone else had taken and one was just from yesterday!
My blog: http://bit.ly/i5yUgw
I'm more thankful than ever to Reverb10, because without it, I would never have found the Shutter Sisters! :)

[Jeanne]

This past year has been a personal struggle for me. When I actually stopped and tried to grab some personal " relax and don't thinknabout it" time we were away in Lake Placid. I was alone in the house with the dogs and was trying to capture a self portrait, but they all kept coming out the same way. I realized it truly was a portrait of myself at that moment in time. 2011 is going to be titled, " coming out of the fog".

[gis]

I cannot resist.
This is a photo I took of myself, and I like it because it just shows a playful side of me. I had been given by P. a drink to try, and there you see my comment about it: it was way too sweet!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16853210@N05/5178621849/in/set-72157622487312458/

Thank you to you all for pointing to great photographs and stories, it is a real priviledge to share wih you.

[Jenna/The Word Cellar]

I don't do many self-portraits, and I don't like most photos taken of me. But this year I started playing with the Photobooth on my laptop. One afternoon I captured a series of photos of me in front of my living room window, the sun streaming in beside me. The photos aren't high-quality, but there's something about them that feel true to me, especially this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewordcellar/4950133932/in/set-72157624735376957/.

[MollyOlly]

This is by far my favorite shot of me this year. My husband took this while we were nearing the end of the most relaxing vacation ever, where we lounged on the beach, swam with dolphins, and renewed our vows. I am genuinely cracking up here, and love that I look so happy. It reflects how much my husband makes me laugh, and I love that so much.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mollyolly123/4857603434/in/set-72157624909344642/

[Libertad]

This is my favorite picture of me this year. It's a self portrait. I am usually smiling in 95% of my pictures and I like that, I am happy, but I like my calm and serious expression in this picture. I think it shows a different side of me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/5007376118

[shannon]

I've had so much fun looking through all the wonderful photos in the above links. Thanks for this fun prompt. I had a great time sifting through my photos today.

This past year was the year of giving birth and living more fully, boldly and freely from the inside out. I launched my first e-course Inside Out, a creative adventure that inspires deep change on the inside so participants can live more vibrant, authentic lives on the outside.

AND I created a new human being, one that started growing inside me in January and came outside and into the world in October.

This montage photo represents me best:

http://freespiritknits.blogspot.com/2010/12/giving-birth-apple-kisses-reverb10.html

[Sharon Gerald]

Here's my blog post about my photo: http://www.writerlyhaphazardry.net/?p=1237

[Holly { Soupatraveler }]

This took quite a while, but eventually I came upon this shot of me, a self-portrait I'd taken while climbing a thousand year old baobab tree in South Africa last June. What I love about this image, what speaks to me the most, is that it appeals to my adventurous side which has taken a back-seat these last several years. I love that although I am climbing upward, I am also looking back, honoring where I've come from, but still pushing forward towards where I want to be. It's a good reminder to myself to cultivate this adventurous, spontaneous side of my personality in the year ahead. So in the interests of expansion, my chosen word for 2011, I feel its only fitting to showcase the journey from where I've come while moving forward and climbing new heights towards a more courageous future.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5302392833/

[AudreyV]

I've been trying to take more self portraits this year, with some success. This was a year of fitness for me, and I was fortunate to participate in a fall running series. A lovely photographer was present at the runs, and I splurged and purchased her photos of my self and my boys. Can I attach the photo here?

[gwyn]

I am so glad to have found you through the reverb 10 challenge and I loved this prompt. I finally got time to do it :-)
http://gwynlmichael.com/?p=1351
I look forward to seeing what all goes on here! Happy New Year.

[iHanna]

I picked one too now!

http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/?p=1233

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