I am a loud and enthusiastic fan of the self portrait. People often ask me why, and I get it. As photographers we’re used to being behind the camera, framing the image and directing our subjects. As women many of us are used to looking at photos of ourselves with a very critical eye. Some of us go to great lengths to avoid being in other people’s pictures. Why in the heck would we want to subject ourselves to self portraiture? My answer? Because it can change everything.
For me, venturing into self portraiture provided me with an entirely new perspective from which to see myself (see what I did there?). I’m not a supermodel. I have “issues” like everybody else. I didn’t start taking self portraits because I love the way I look. Actually, I started taking them because I was bored and running out of photography subjects (winter is long in my part of Canada). When it came to editing my self portraits, there was a lot of cringing to begin with. Then I experienced a shift in my thinking. I started looking at the images as I would images of a subject that was not me. I looked at them from the perspective of the photographer, rather than that of the subject. As the photographer the rolls around my middle or the angle of my nose became less important than the image I was trying to create and the story I wanted to tell. Self portraiture became about making something beautiful and in the process I’ve come to look upon myself more kindly. Seeing beauty in an image helps me to see the beauty in me.
Convinced yet? OK, well, here at Mortal Muses we’re a bit of a self portrait-loving bunch. My dear fellow muses kindly let me trawl through their Flickr archives to pull out a few of my favourites.
If heading down to your nearest industrial park wearing a huge tutu seems a bit more of an adventure than you’re ready for, self-portrait-wise, why not start by just including a piece of yourself in the frame, as Jenny has here.
Or try out something new, like Cara does here. Self portraits are a great way to explore an alter ego.
Or if a tutu and a loading dock are just too tame for you, you could always try levitating as Christy does here.
You could show off your cheeky, fun side as Holly has here.
Or show your vulnerable, raw side as Meghan does here.
So are you a self portrait convert or a sceptic? If you’re a convert I encourage you to share your photos in the comments. If you’re a sceptic, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and step in front of the camera. See if it doesn’t change your perspective.
September’s theme here at Mortal Muses is New Perspective. Won’t you join us?
Debra ~ Manifeisty
This is so inspiring, Debra – thank you! I admit to being a bit of a self portrait sceptic still, but less and less so 🙂
Great post, Debra! I love it!
Inspiring collection of photos, as different as the lovely women in them.
Great post. I am a big fan of self portraiture, and I fell in love with Christy’s work a long time ago. I’m including a link to one of my instagram shots that I’ve posted on facebook. Love the inspiration.Thanks, ladies!!
This is such an inspiring post, Debra! I am total non-starter on the whole selfies but this could definitely encourage me to have another go! Thank you.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post, Deb. Self-portraiture can be so empowering and liberating. Thank you for sharing your new perspective with us all and for showcasing such a diverse array of self-portraits!
Such a wonderful post Debra–you’ve reminded me I have to levitate again soon 🙂 I’d encourage anyone who thinks SPs aren’t for them to just start with baby steps. You might be surprised where the journey takes you!
Great post. This is something I am going to try this month.
Fantastic! Like Christy says, baby steps can be a good place to start (feet, hands – one of my early selfies was just 1/4 of my face!). Let us know how you get on!
Wow Debra! Awesome take on this month’s theme! I love how you put something that’s difficult to explain to the non-believers into such a meaningful explanation! Thank you for this post!
Gorgeous you and all the other selfies!!! And I totally get this!!! I took Kirstin and Meredith’s “Now You” course this summer and I really am looking at myself differently — much more kindly and affectionately.
SO cool! It’s for real, right? That’s why I’m such an evangelist for self portraits! Good for you.
You’ve totally sold me. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at selfies and you’ve inspired me to quit thinking and just shoot. Thank you!
Heck yeah Barbara! Let us know how you get on! The MM pools are pretty supportive places.
These are terrific. I love the way Jenny & Cara appear to be looking at me in a more personal way than most people who simply smile for the camera. I was taught to create a more appealing look by seeing someone I love in the camera lens. I wonder if thinking of someone I envy or feel uncomfortable with might create another interesting sort of shot? I’m not leery of having my photo taken, but rarely take my own. You’ve convinced me to try it sometime!
Such a cool aspect to explore. Go for it!
so so so awesome! love it all!
thank you for sharing!
xx
Oh I get this! I started exploring self portraits while I was doing my 365, and I kind of fell in love with the process of it all. When I’m having a bad day, I always feel the want in my heart to turn the camera around!
And Debra, my word you seriously rock a rainbow tutu. It’s super beautiful, I’m thinking I need a tutu too!
Thanks! I have to say that I felt a bit conspicuous at first in the tutu (I was down at the warehouse building at the end of my street) but after the shoot I kind of didn’t want to take it off!
I want a tutu. That’s all I have to say :~)
Girl, you should get yourself a tutu and rock it!
Wow! I love all the selfie enthusiasm here!! Thanks for all the lovely comments and a huge thanks to my fellow Muses, whose work absolutely inspires me. I often approach self portrait shoots like fashion shoots – it’s a lot about the set up and the art direction for me. Looking at these other selfies I’m inspired to try going deeper and exploring emotions through self portraits.
Wonderful, inspiring self-portraits.
You are correct, self-portraiture can show us the beauty we all have within us. It is a journey and it can be so fun. It certainly has taught me not to be afraid of taking selfies. What a gorgeous array of photos and stories you gave gathered together for us to feast upon. A rather lovely tutu you are modeling too. Thank you for sharing you wonderfully creative eye and voice. You are an inspiration Debra!!!
I am a lover of self portraits and taking my own as well. Always have been. Never thought it was narcissistic or self centered. it has actually helped me understand myself better, and is great practice for taking portraits of others. I like to tell stories with my pictures so my self portraits tell stories. I also practice edit skills, different perspectives, moods etc… here is one of my series of black and white portraits. http://www.flickr.com/photos/piecesofmejen/sets/72157625773208733/