Tag : Color
It’s been just slightly over 2 weeks since I embarked on a new photography journey. After wrapping up my first 365 project, I decided to jump right in to another one. But I decided to use the themes that emerged from my first 365 to guide me moving forward on my next endeavor. In seeing that instant photography and self-portraits were the most resonant and constant markers over the past year, I decided I would combine those for a 365 Impossible Self-Portraits project.
I began the project on my birthday, April 23, and suffice it to say…it’s been kicking my ass. I knew that this project would be challenging. I knew that it would be difficult. And I knew I was likely a little crazy for taking it on. I mean, it’s one thing to shoot instant film photos every day for an entire year. And it’s another thing to shoot daily self-portraits for 365 days in a row. But to COMBINE these two tasks?!?! That’s kind of nuts, right?
Going into the project, I felt pretty prepared and fairly ready to take it on. Looking back through my last 365, I could see that I shot 27 instant self-portraits. 27. That seemed like a considerable number of self-portraits that I shot with my Polaroid cameras, which led me to feel some confidence that I could really do this 365 Impossible Self-Portraits project. But…
I think I’m psyching myself out. I’m all jacked up about it. Because I have so many dreams and goals for this project, I’m giving it a lot of power. I’m really in my head, putting a great deal of pressure on myself for each and every photo. I am feeling like every shot has to be awesome for my dreams for this project to come to fruition. I am devaluing most of what I shoot, telling myself that the photographs aren’t artistic enough or interesting enough.
Thankfully, I’m journaling as I work on the project. And in doing so, I realize that these thoughts, this kind of negative self-talk, is a creativity killer. I’m working hard to remind myself that at the core, this project is for me. I chose to take on 365 Impossible Self-Portraits for my own photographic growth. This project was what felt right in my core as my next step. 365 Impossible Self-Portraits is what I believe will help me move forward in my creative journey. And that needs to be my focus. Yes, I do have dreams and goals for what may come of this project. But for now, day by day, I need to do the work, get out of my head, and stop psyching myself out.
Note to self: Trust the process, Meghan. xoxo
It’s funny how time changes you. A few short years ago, I was not interested in taking portraits of people. Actually, it was more than “not interested.” I really hated taking portraits. I felt awkward and uncomfortable shooting photographs of people. I didn’t know how best to frame people, how to help them relax, nor how to capture an image that really represented the person I was photographing. And more often than not, the people I wanted to take photos of were fairly opposed to having their picture taken. They also felt uncomfortable and awkward. They didn’t know how to sit or how to stand, they didn’t know how to relax and just “act natural.” And then because we are all our own worst critics, people don’t often like photographs of themselves. So there’s that uphill battle to climb both as the photographer taking portraits and as the person allowing her/his image to be photographed.
But recently, I’ve had the precious opportunity to take some portraits of people who I really love. I have found ways to muster the courage to ask if I can take their photo, and more and more frequently, their answer is “yes.” I’m so excited to share some of these portraits of love. That’s what these photos are to me: portraits of love. They are photos of people who are so dear to me and they capture a moment of time that just the two of us shared.
My partner-in-crime, my colleague and collaborator, my Tribe sister, Sarah…
The witty, smart, clever, wordsmith, Sara….
The generous, always-has-your-back, holding-hope, Josh…
And last but certainly not least, therapist extraordinaire, emoticon-loving, bear-hugging, Andy…
I am so grateful for each of these people in my life. They have given me so much.
Thank you for letting me see you. xoxo
Have you ever shot photos throughout your day — a typical, ordinary day — to just document it and tell your story? Me neither. I’m over at Mortal Muses today sharing my Sunday through 4 images I shot with my iPhone within 24 hours. As most Sundays do, here’s how ours started after Parker was fed and walked…
I hope you click here to see the rest of my Sunday. Hope it inspires you to capture your own ordinary and beautiful days.
A colander of Krispy…
After the events of this week, looking to be grounded and rooted…
Oh the stories these bulbs could tell…
And then, it snowed. In April…
