As I’m in the homestretch of my 365 IMPOSSIBLE Self-Portraits project, I am realizing the dearth of photography that I have shot this past year other than aiming a Polaroid camera at myself. The daily practice of the self-portrait project has quite literally filled my non-work hours. In the space between work and self-portraits, there is a very little margin to explore other types of photography and shoot anything else but ME! I recognize that this type of focus (pun intended!) and dedication is needed, in fact required, to sustain a daily self-portrait project for a full year, but I have to say that I am looking forward to the upcoming freedom to shoot whatever I want when I want.

Looking back to peruse what I have photographed over the recent weeks and even months that didn’t include me, I found a few gems that I’m happy I took the opportunity to shoot. And since it’s hip to be square, of course these images are either Polaroid photographs or iPhone –> Instagram shots.

I shot this beauty while visiting a dear friend in Santa Fe. It is a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indian of North of America to be promoted to sainthood (according to the plaque). The blue sky, the sun shining on Kateri’s face, the turquoise on the statue…had to capture this photo.

600-Color_Native-Saint-SF_rsThese days, it seems that everyone I know is either pregnant or just had a baby. Does this ever happen to you? Waves of either marriages or babies? Well, I’m in a wave of babies. This little guy came into the world a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t resist the age-old tradition of an instant photograph of a newborn.

600-Color_Otis_rsWhile out on a self-portrait shoot, I actually had the wherewithal to actually take a photo of my surroundings. When I’m in a cool place that I’ve found to take my self-portrait, I often forget to capture the setting because I’m so focused on setting up the self-portrait shot. But this time, I remembered to capture this gorgeous, old, wooden-chaired filled auditorium.

Whittier_rsAnd last, as the grueling, cold, forever-long Winter is finally coming to an end here in the U.S., I’ve been seeking out Spring at every turn. Since no flowers have bloomed as of yet, I bought some tulips at the grocery to try and brighten the house, and make a promise to myself that Spring is coming. As the tulips opened and then started to fade, their beauty struck me at every turn.

Dying-Tulips_rsSo yes, these photographs remind me of the promise of what’s to come in a few short weeks when my 365 IMPOSSIBLE Self-Portraits has ended. And while I’m saddened to see that project end (at least the shooting — I have a book to write!), I’m excited to turn the lens away from my own gaze.

Meghan of Life Refocused