now you

It’s hard to explain, but part of me needs to visually define my outer boundaries of who I am as a person, woman, mother, sister, daughter, lover. There is no easier (nor harder) way to do this than through photography. Dare I say self portraiture helps me understand myself. It definitely helps me to be kind to myself, and remember who I am on the days when it’s easy to forget.

Now, after four+ years of self portraits, after traveling to meet like minded women and speak about my self portrait journey; it feels like the ultimate study of self. It has brought me a sense of quiet confidence, even as it brings me more questions about who i am. This is growth (and it is welcome here). 

This project of self I can only define as me seeking grace in the conflict. Seeking beauty in the decay. My self portraits document where I have been and where I am going. A circular timeline put on repeat. This is the peace within. The flurry and chaos. The solitude and stillness of wind. The reminder that life is blooming, that growth moves us forward with joy and anticipation. Self portraits are my practice in remembering it is ok to sit with the silence. And that through all the wreckage and reality, life is still beautiful.

Lessons come from being on the other side of the lens.
(These are thoughts on being seen.) Being seen is as important as sharing your voice.

I am worthy.
And so are you.

Now is the time to take back the control of how we see ourselves. Through the process of self portraiture, we come away with images to remind us the beauty of seeing... and being seen. As women, we are all these pieces of self. NOW is the time to embrace it.

Today I'm very excited to share with you the NOW YOU workshops e-course! This is an amazing online collaboration between myself and Kristin Zecchinelli. Registration opens today! Be sure to check out our website for more details like who we are, pricing and how to register, details about the e-course, and other faq's. Class size is limited, so click on over to read more and reserve your spot in class!

Are you ready to be find that brave beautiful you that dwells inside? Set yourself free of expectation and judgment. Seek and find yourself through your lens. Today share with us your thoughts on self portraiture. Do you enjoy self portraits? Do you loathe them? And please leave your selfies in the comments below. As always, it's great to see you!

Comments

[Amanda @ Click. The Good News]

Love this idea! I'd sign up in a heartbeat, but I"m already taking several other ecourse & photog courses right now :(( Hopefully you will be offering it again this summer.

Also, I can never see your photos in Google reader- they always come through as a broken link.

[Jen]

YEs... google reader is awful when it comes to loading ShutterSister's photos.
What a cool e-course!
I did a 52 of self portraits. It was pretty fun, hard, scary and rewarding.

[Gabriela]

I've wanted to mater taking self portraits, but this one below is as close as I've gotten. I am working on acceptance as my word of the year and self-acceptance is on target. Looking forward to reading on your ecourse:

http://gamaraca.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/the-one-word-project-acceptance-self/

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

As someone who has a hard time with self portraits this was a huge leap for me.

http://dychedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/scintilla-project-body.html

[Linda]

This year I am on a self-discovery journey that started because I joined a self-portrait flickr group. I am enjoying it very much and love the challenge of translating my self discoveries into self portraits. Here is my favorite so far.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mainmim/6987896901/in/photostream

[Jess]

I have a love/hate relationship with selfies.

An easy one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/6209794625/
A hard one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/6978188241/

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

I have grown to become quite fond of self-portraits, although I struggle in various ways about taking them. Getting the shot I have in mind, seeing myself for who I am, etc. One of my favorite self-portraits is the double-exposed Polaroid... http://www.flickr.com/photos/meghandavidson/5935081902/in/set-72157625339995238

[shirley]

I'm currently doing a selfie once a week. I did a daily series back in October, which allowed me to overcome the uncomfortableness (Is that a word?) of self portraiture, but a weekly seems to suit me better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shirley319/sets/72157628691627821/with/6624873905/

[kelly]

I used to entertain myself with self portraits, but that was a long time ago. I think I need to do some rediscovery.

[Roxanne]

I love this post because it encourages me to leave my shyness about self-portraits behind. Here is a recent attempt, with a hint of Middle Eastern flair:

http://measuringlifeinphotographs.tumblr.com/#19887050595

[simply]

the first one was an attempt to "tell my story" (with an update at the bottom) the second is more the acceptance of who i have become.

http://simplystork.blogspot.com/2009/10/alopecia.html

http://simplystork.blogspot.com/2012/03/happiness-and-peace.html

~simply~




~simply~

[Corinna]

So excited for you and Kristin - I know this class is going to be amazing. I'm still plugging along with occasional selfies. Last week's was about picturing myself as I'd like to be (rather than how I really feel)...
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2012/3/20/shameless.html

Such a remarkable practice.

[Libertad Leal]

I have come to really love self portraits, it's very therapeutic to see yourself with different eyes. I have taken quite a few of them over the last couple of years, here they are:

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

[ktbuffy]

Going to try to make this class work. I'm in the middle of a 52 Week Self-Portrait assignment I gave myself -- they're all here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktbuffy/sets/72157628693982171/

[Kelsey]

I've never really done much with self portraits, but I have recently discovered them. I prefer to be behind the camera, rather than in front, but I've realized how few pictures my family has of me, and I want to record what I was like at this point in my life. This shot is showing my 'transition', I'm still behind the camera, but I'm not exactly in front of it either...:)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77068669@N07/6967993411/in/set-72157629139919538

[Rhonda]

I like this picture because it makes me feel strong. I work out to be strong in body, mind, and real life. Real life is when it really counts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmockmt/7022460641/in/photostream

[Anna]

Am not really into self-portrait even though I've tried few times.
This is the closest I come for self-portrait.
http://silentchatterz.blogspot.com/2012/03/4-shadow.html

But your words made me want to have another shot.
Thank you.

[Debra]

I have blathered on on my blog and other places about how the practice of self portraiture has changed me and the way I see myself. Sometimes i like to set up self portrait shoots with costumes and props http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/5869829795/in/set-72157626034952041 and sometimes I just take a quick shot to capture how I'm feeling in the moment http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/7001126663/in/photostream

As somebody who is evangelical about self portraits (I think everyone should try them!), this course seems just fantastic. Congratulations.

[Kelly]

I JUST signed up! I did a 365 self portrait project over a year ago...it was an eye opening experience....BUT as soon as i figured out photoshop...I didn't like who I became...The photos were beautiful...near perfect skin, a younger me...someone who I missed growing up. And now that I've turned 48...I'm having a very difficult time facing the music. Some days are better than others...but I think...I HOPE this will help bring me around to understand me...and NOT be so hard and judgemental on myself.
Thank you.
Kelly