see yourself

All it took was the sun coming out, a walk in my favourite spot, the breeze in my hair and suddenly the cage of what has been a long winter unlocked. Freedom to see the light change, the temperature on my skin and the smile on my face.

It's moments like this that call for a self portrait. Just me in this moment.

As hard as we find self portraits, I hope that together, we know about the importance of capturing ourselves in our moments. Have you "seen" yourself lately?

Comments

[*amanda*]

This was beautiful to read to start my day.
Thank you.

[Kiersten]

Selfies can be tough to take given that we are our own worst critic but sometimes they are so illuminating...showing us a deep sadness within our eyes, or true happiness. For me, each one is an expression of self love, learning more about my inner girl who saves my life on the darkest days, and owning my beautiful self.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5456926399/in/set-72157625042018751/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5391615516/in/set-72157625042018751/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5548459054/in/set-72157625139203077/

[SuddenlySusan]

Beautiful.

[Sandee]

Beautiful photo!

Does this count?? {grin}

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34977978@N05/5557481312/

[kristin]

i think my blog post fits this today. i was really seeing the me inside.
http://mainemomma.blogspot.com/2011/03/getting-real.html

[autumn sun]

the first and only snowfall of the season put me in a moment like you describe. it's blurred but that's the way i like my self portraits. ; )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5346690864/in/set-72157625800686580/

[beth]

i have seen myself lately.....and have decided for now, that i'll let my hair keep growing. i kind of like my ponytail !


http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/5558058763/

[Mae]

Oh that's just a lovely lovely shot!

As for me, thanks to Tracey's Picture Inspiration class, I recently had to do my first self-portrait. It was a painful and yet wildly amusing assignment. My outtakes make me cringe (and will *never* see the light of day!). Here is what came of the assignment and my blog post to go with it.

http://www.hereinthishouse.com/home/2011/2/26/picture-inspiration-week-1.html

[Denise]

I've never done a true "professional" self-portrait. I've never set up lighting or changed my clothes or put on makeup specifically for a photo....I would like to start, though.

This is mine. I was at my parents' house, all alone with the family dog. It was a frigid winter day but the sun was shining bright. I walked into the dining room and Chance was bathing in the sun coming through the windows. I joined him, and picked up my camera and tried taking photos of the two of us. Chance wasn't cooperating so I turned it into my self-portrait time. This, my favorite of the day, was the result:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deniselivingston/5357917388/

I love love love sunlight, especially on cold days.

[Valerie]

I let my two year-old hold the camera and snap some photos. He was entranced every time he flipped the camera around and saw himself. http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/03/self-portraits.html

[Andrea]

Thanks for sharing your picture! Beautiful! My last attempt was while being sick around and after Christmas. Not a photo I am particularly proud of. But utterly me in that moment. Sometimes life just is not funny or gorgeous and it is good to remember these moments, too. For the sake of contrast perhaps.

http://www.andreahandl.de/?p=143

[Laine]

Self portraits are very challenging. I much prefer being on the other side of the lens! Here is a self portrait I took for my photography class assignment this semester: http://lainethomasphotography.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/self-portrait/

[Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photo Blog]

I've been doing weekly self portraits to help get over my phobia of being in front of the camera...I see myself a lot and I like what I see!

http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/challenges/selfie-arms-length-self-portraits/3831/
http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/challenges/selfie-magic-how-do-you-get-model-eyes/4266/

It's a lot of fun and it forces me to use my tripod, which I don't use enough.

[Tina]

Thanks Xanthe.

I think I'll always find this subject the scariest, so here I am, out of focus, reflected in your page.

It also shows how the screen of my laptop could do with a wipe :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenhillphotography/5558650335/

[Angela]

It's so, so difficult to take a self portrait. I finally just decided to get a little goofy ...

http://ahemobile.posterous.com/peekaboo

[Kathleen O.]

Reflected in a dirty window...http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5539900049/

[Katrina Kennedy]

I'm embracing this more. Trying to be okay with it.

I let my husband grab this one.

http://captureyour365.com/2011/03/how-often-do-you-let-the-camera-focus-on-you/

[CDScott]

I've never enjoyed self-portraits. But had to do one recently for a photog class. Always a challenge!

http://cdscottphoto.blogspot.com/2011/02/picture-inspiration-week-1.html

[melissa]

I just saw myself as a force powerful enough to stand up to all those voices in my head that are trying to keep me down.

[melissa]

thank you for sharing your gorgeousness and for inviting us to see ourselves.

[Cherie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colopyfam/5557036845/

knew I needed to capture this day

[Rebecca]

beautiful photo!

I don't take many of myself-this was my last self-portrait
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccasmithphotography/5559789217/

[mrsmediocrity]

"the cage of what has been a long winter unlocked" love that, it describes just perfectly how this winter has been, how i felt that first warm day.

[jen]

my 52 so far

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piecesofmejen/sets/72157625611879779/detail/?savedsettings=5490619900#photo5490619900

[Libertad Leal]

What a beautiful selfie.

I never thought I would love to do self portraits, but I do.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/sets/72157623271063003/