Anyone who has been through a difficult time can appreciate how healing (and thought-provoking) taking self-portraits can be. Sometimes you just need to face yourself in the mirror. Sometimes you need to be willing to see exactly what you look like in order to silence the constant critic who can’t stop exaggerating your worst faults.
The truth is, we are all more tender, more fragile, more strong and more beautiful than we can bear to imagine–but it gets one step easier if we’re willing to pick up the camera (or the iPhone) and take in all of who we are, through a more forgiving lens.
I’ve been doing this everyday for the last few weeks. I think it’s helping me get grounded and remember who I am, after all I’ve seen and been through over the last year.
Do you need a nudge to turn that camera back around on your beautiful self?
Hello Contest!
It’s time for a June Mini Photo Contest. That means it’s time to share your best image that fits our theme this week. Today, it’s Hello You! So show us YOU in all your self-portrait glory between now and Sunday night at midnight PST over in our OWP Flickr pool and leave a comment here with a link to your shot. Only one image per person please and only those images shared through links in the comments here will be considered. There will be one “Grand Hello” winner that will receive a 36X24 canvas (Hello!) and 2 runners up will win a 20X24 canvas compliments of Hello Canvas, of course!
๏ปฟSo hurry, hurry–don’t be shy. We’re eager to see your sweet face–exactly as you are right now.
Heather Pedersen says
What a fun contest. Love the idea!
Stephanie says
I’ve taken quite a few self-portraits lately. I was surprised by this one. I’d already washed my face, put on a robe, and was about to go to bed. I thought I’d hate whatever came out. And then… there I was.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30355882@N04/4711308956/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Jennifer says
Love the idea because I love self-portraits. Not because I’m vain (I hope) but because who else can show who I truly am but me? Anyway. This is me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jr_moon/4710694339/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Petchy says
Here’s me ๐ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4711396920_8668e5e0e5_b.jpg
stephanie says
Here is mine. I am having trouble adding it to the pool, but I will keep trying.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47241442@N04/4711623946/
erika says
I feel like my entire 52 Weeks of Bam project is me saying Hello to my family, my friends & of course myself.
Hello Shutter Sisters!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onemoreplease/4702788425/
erika says
And I just noticed you picked it for the OWP!
Thanks, ladies!
tanya Sharkey says
Cool idea:-)
Being a photographer, I sometimes get itch’s to do self-portraits. This is one I took driving my dogs out to the doggie park one day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsharkey/4711105327/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Abby says
My self-portrait. It’s a fascinating experience being on both sides of the lens. And I apologize for my neglected Flikr stream, I’m not very active on the site. In any case, the link to my self-portrait is below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22434080@N04/4711204419/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
life in eden says
Yes, 52 weeks of Bam is helping me try to see myself differently. Seeing in whole new ways
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/4709025401/in/set-72157624219450480/
Lu says
wow…it has been a minute since I took a self-portrait. so much going on…
Anne says
I never thought of self-portraits being therapeutic. That’s a really interesting idea – I’m going to try it this weekend.
Cheers,
Anne
Jayne Bramley says
I have just completed a self portrait series in my photography class and it wasn’t until the last week (of a 9 week course) that I was brave enough to express my true feelings of where I am in my life right now.
I picked the one photo that speaks to me the most, the frustration and the lost feeling that I am fighting and which is keeping me awake at night.
The quote is Mary Oliver. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14261878@N08/4662249016/
Jayne Bramley says
Oops…..I didn’t have it in the one word pool….here is the correct link http://www.flickr.com/photos/14261878@N08/4662249016/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Sorry, Jayne.xoxo
Aia says
i don’t really like selfies but i force myself to o them. no one else takes pics of me, and i know i’ll regret it ten or twenty years down the road. 52 weeks of BAM helps big time overcoming this challenge!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aclamp/4707746953/
camerashymomma ~ meredith winn says
jen, this is exactly why it became so important to turn that camera around on myself. like i knew i existed after coming through something awful, i knew i existed because i had an image of myself. i might not have recognized myself but i knew i wasn’t disappearing.
thank you for this.
"Anyone who has been through a difficult time can appreciate how healing (and thought-provoking) taking self-portraits can be. Sometimes you just need to face yourself in the mirror. Sometimes you need to be willing to see exactly what you look like in order to silence the constant critic who can’t stop exaggerating your worst faults. "
Hannah says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahmayo/4672682339/in/photostream/
xanthe says
i’m getting braver in front of the camera… it’s hard not to feel "hey, look at me" but you’re right it’s important to remember who we are. thank you for the prompt today. x.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/4711128615/
Jolie says
Here I am: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jolieguillebeau/4541472849/
stacie says
What a wonderful prompt! I am realizing if we want to believe that other people can be angels in our life, we have to believe we can be too. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4712242356_14536fe796_b.jpg
Meg says
I haven’t been doing a lot of self portraits, but here is one i did for fPOE last week ๐ I am happy with it. Hello to the max ๐
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teaandbrie/4697512462/in/photostream/
Mrs Soup says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrssoup/4711512879/
Rocking out at work, where I’m having a half day and leaving at noon to make it up for my first wedding shoot! So excited!
Jen says
Polaroid self-portraits in the bathroom always make life look 1000 times better than it is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32172714@N02/4711730639/
Vanessa says
hello sisters! http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4712454376/
Jennifer says
Why is it that self-portraits are always the hardest to take? I LOVE taking photos yet find it difficult to take one or look at one of myself. Something I need to work on!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4712576252/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Sandie says
I’ve started to take photos of me on my birthday to mark the passing years …
http://dancingonabladeofgrass.wordpress.com/about-me/
Diane says
It’s nice reading that so many are willing to do a selfie. I really dislike most of them so I’m not inclined to do one, I’m so sorry to say. I do love the notion that it can be rewarding and helpful and I’m so pleased for every one who finds it healing. I really admire that, a lot.
Besides doing one using a mirror I haven’t a clue how on earth to get the image to focus. I’ll happily go visit some of these brave women to see what remarkable work they’re doing with their own self portraits.
jenica says
with no "cleaning up" the moustache, zits, grease, and emotion are all very much me in that moment. i also see someone brave and raw, someone i forget is there sometimes. i like her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onelittleone/4712631166/
casie b. says
here is me while playing with the light in my living room… lovely photos ladies!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaooavdpa/4580449118/
CherryPie says
I always find taking self portraits very therapeutic and funnily enough I had taken one just yesterday so I have added it to the pool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-cherrypie-/4711659031/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
If you prefer you can see it in context on my blog:
http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2010/06/18/meetings-shopping-and-high-court-rulings/
GroovyGrapevine (Kate) says
In or around the ocean is where my soul shines its brightest. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8711768@N03/4712729910/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject/
giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper) says
It’s late, I’m tired, but here I am …
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64505666@N00/4712891276/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Vanessa says
I began a journey of 365 selfies last fall, but by mid Jan I was in full swing morning sickness and exhaustion mode I had to stop. Then I was invited to join in on a 52 weeks project. I jumped and I am so glad to be picking up where I left off and documenting a big year of my life.
Here is my photo for the week, along with some words: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glitch_nitch/4712207796/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
thanks!
spread your wings says
here i am… reflecting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4712987302/
bridge says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/4705457848/
Me in all my make-up less glory. With grass and a girl I love.
Brian Miller says
Me. Showing my dark, moody, and grungy side!
Brian Miller says
Oops, forgot to post the link, so here goes.
Me with my dark moody grungy side: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian-ana/2074884269/in/set-72157603781747527/
carly says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93483329@N00/4713288188/
still waiting for my hair to grow back after chemo… I’m rather impatient… I did not do a true 365 project because I have been through surgeries, etc… but there are 30 in my set from various points in the course of my treatment so far.
Marianne LoMonaco says
This is from a few months ago, this is me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannelomonaco/4443294862/in/set-72157622682613725/
Heather says
Just last week I asked my husband to take a picture of me (with me getting everything set up for him, of course). It took us a couple of tries to get one that I was okay with.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4713387060_fdb89b1ce3_m.jpg
I never used to mind pictures of myself but now I hate them. Every time I see a photograph of myself all I can see is how much weight I’ve put on and how my face has aged since I had kids.. I wish I could feel as comfortable in front of the camera as I do behind it. And I wish I had better appreciated those days when I didn’t hate every single picture of me. I’m trying to see myself in a more positive light…but it’s hard.
Heather says
Umm…here’s the link I *meant* to give. Oops!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hezro/4713387060/
Michelle says
Self portraits are tough for me. Probably easier if I figured out how to use my timer. Doh!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26029966@N02/4712990623/in/photostream/
Leslie says
Here I am pondering…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243753@N02/4712999425/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
mosey says
Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth, and sometimes not…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7687752@N03/4713714660/in/photostream/
Sammie says
Here’s mine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32606361@N04/4714282132/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Alison says
It has been a tough few years…yet seeing myself through the lens I can see that I have survived intact, imperfections and all.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4713739058_9ec1224a38_b.jpg
Alison says
Yikes! I goofed on the link…here it is… : )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45491005@N03/4713739058/
spencercasa says
here i am, playing around on the kitchen bar.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23196640@N03/4541674885/
Kelly Langner Sauer says
Hello. ๐ Thanks for the excuse to play. I’d been doing an SP project, and then dropped it when I revamped my site. It’s fun to have a reason to do it again!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellylangnersauer/4715351742/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Meggie(68beats) says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34288115@N03/4462844376/in/set-72157620316822119/
xoxo
Krista Kruger says
Self portraits are not my favorite thing to do. I rarely even attempt them, because all I see when I take them is everything that is wrong with me. They are a shure fire way to cut myself down.
A few weeks ago, after a new haircut, I was filled with self confidence. I positioned myself in front of the mirror, and grabbed my BlackBerry. Oddly, I was VERY pleased with the result. The picture clearly conveys my happiness and confidence. It doesn’t look fake or forced. I actually look happy and relaxed (I was also on vaction, so that may have helped).
In fact, I look the way I want to look through other people’s eyes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristakruger/4716048218/
claudia says
sometimes it’s hard to even get in the shot ๐
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/4702511678/
Jennifer says
Moi:)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annapolitangrl/4696529768/in/pool-shuttersisters
Lis says
I’m winding down a 365 project of self portraits and cannot even begin to articulate the impact of this practice upon my growth as an artist and my understanding and acceptance of myself as a person.
here my HELLO that my daughter sees far too often:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7724232@N03/4128460707/in/set-72157622601673161/
Jessica says
I really dread self-portraits. I guess that means I need to do them more often. I liked this one because I have a lot on my mind right now and the image really reflects that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessnichols/4718324174/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
Kara says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ketchuplover/4364205982/in/set-72157623450606492/
Taken in my bathtub. I love looking at all these self-portraits!
Shawna says
Turned the camera around for a change today, and played with the image a bit to boot!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnac/4719037349/
J. says
here’s mine! ๐
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kissmequikly/4713542946/
Victoria says
This is waaaay outside my comfort zone! I am completely happy being behind the lens, thank you very much!
But, in the spirit of trying new things….
Here it goes~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4715268967/
Jen from Oz says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenlancaster/4366391836/in/pool-shuttersistersonewordproject
AnnGeeDee says
Hello shutter sisters! Here’s to silencing the internal critic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4719895208/
amy in peru says
I didn’t make it in time for the contest, but I still wanted to get in on the challenge. So here’s my self-portrait. I decided I don’t like taking pictures of myself, not because I don’t like me… but because I realized I really need to smile more often. When people look at me, they might often see a sourpuss. :S
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amytuttle/4724532059/
amy in peru
http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com
Marianne LoMonaco says
I posted a photo here already this is more bare, more me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannelomonaco/4779337407/
Jen says
http://jengiphoneography.posterous.com/facing-myself
great idea! ๐