September 5, 2006
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Self Portrait Challenge
(September’s challenge: self portrait with someone else)
This picture was taken in 2003 when we were living in Arizona; Jesse was 3 years old and Roo had yet to arrive.
This picture means a great deal to me as it represents the beginning of my self portrait journey.
I spent the majority of my adulthood feeling badly that I had few pictures taken of myself (my husband is not the picture taking sort). I always attributed this to my less-than-perfect looks and felt badly for myself about the whole affair.
But then I had Jesse.
I very much wanted pictures of he and I together to preserve those brief and blurry moments; I knew pictures would help me to piece the memories together.
In the process of capturing these images I realized how much time I wasted feeling sorry for myself and how much better I could use my time figuring out ways to take self portraits that would have meaning and truth.
And I have never looked back.
(thanks, Jesse!)
Comments (33)
and thank you for these words. That is the same struggle that I have and I think a change of perspective is exactly what is called for. I need to stop worrying about how I look in photos and just recognize the photos for the treasure that they are.
I think some of your most beautiful pictures and the least self-conscious ones are the ones you take with one of your children in your arms. Your face is relaxed and your smile and eyes just beam.
i love to see your journey. it is beautiful and i’m glad you let us in on it.
I still don’t like to have my picture taken. Hoping to get over that someday. It’s funny how we sometimes see ourselves so differently than others see us. Glad you got over your photo-phobia.
You’re beautiful–inside and out!
You are both so gorgeous!
What a great picture… and your words are a lesson to me. I hate having my picture taken but I think that will change now. There are far too few pictures through my life so are a lot of the memories associated with them.
You are both beautiful…and I still shy away from the camera for the same reason.
I love this photo. What a treat. Your son, what a blessing!
I’m with you and Nicole on this subject, too, btw. Just trying day by day to get over it.
What a gorgeous pictures, and what gorgeous words to go with it.
Awww…he hasn’t changed much in all that time! How precious! And I will have to keep those words in my head. I just realized that I don’t have a single pic of me from the festival. How sad is that? I really need to just give up getting those perfect shots and just making the every day shots perfect in their own respect.
You are amazing. Your journey is so inspiring. I think you’re beautiful, inside and out.
What a great pic! I feel the same way – SPT was exactly what I needed to start taking pics of myself instead of just feeling bad that I was the only one who ever pulled out a camera. My friends think I’m silly and vain, but I don’t care.
You go, mama!
You are a very lovely woman, and Jesse (who is adorable!) definitely deserves credit for helping you find the reason for including yourself in photos.
Great pic!
Isn’t it amazing how children (birthing them, mothering them, loving them) make us change and grow and SEE the world in a whole new way? Beautiful story and picture! (((hugs)))
Amen Sister! Such wise words! I’ve always deleted the photos of myself and I have so few of me because I never have felt comfortable in my skin. I’ve never liked my looks or my body so I shutter everytime I see a picture of myself. I think I will try and take a new perspective on it! Thank you Mama!
Jesse is the sweetest, by the way!
It’s a beautiful picture of you. I love looking at all your self-portraits!
that’s really similar to my experience. i never felt good looking enough to have my picture taken, and nobody ever really wanted to take it anyway. I only have one blurry and dark picture of me pregnant, when I was about six or seven months. It wasn’t until pretty recently that I realized my daughter and I both need reminders, and I’m slowly venturing into the world of appearing in pictures more freely. (although I still don’t have a photographer…the self-timer is awesome)
That’s a sweet pic. I feel less bad about myself in pics when I have one of the kids attached to me. They must make me look better!
Stunning picture!
That’s such a great self discovery!!! Thanks for sharing.
here’s to Jesse! whoo hoo!!!
another great lesson on how great (wide reaching) it is to be.
Yay Mama!!!!!!! That’s teh spirit…use that amazing creativity to make it happen!
RYC: I have no idea what kind of flower it is!! (-: But come see today’s entry for a photo of the entire bloom….do you know what it is?
simply irresistable
Our kids teach us so well, don’t they?!
That’s a wonderful picture of you both.
You’re such an inspiration!
We always look good with our kids because our joy shines through.
that’s an adorable picture!!!!! hmm… who could I rope into posing with me? hm.
How lovely!
Beautiful philosophy and picture!
You are remarkable – and you look perfect (=
THANK YOU JESSE! and THANK YOU Julie! you nailed my thoughts exactly, and gave me that ever so gentle push toward a much better way of thinking. wonderful picture of you and your boy.
=) let the self portraiting commence.