Self-Portrait

When I first think, “self-portrait” I do not automatically think of myself as a being; I think about the mood and feelings I am experiencing in the now, that I would like to portray.  Expressing a mood in a portrait is more powerful than the unoriginal fake smiles of today’s photography.  I prefer to take self-portraits in a place that feel s natural to me: a couch at home, the trampoline, or even making a face plant in my dorm bed.  On the other hand if I am in an adventurous mood I may try new places for a shoot.  Although being in my element makes my self-portraits unique, it is always important to be flexible and spontaneous. Like any good photograph, it is always a loose contrast that mirror real life. 

A self-portrait has its own special feeling, though.  It takes time and effort from a photographer because he or she will always be the biggest critic of the “model” of which they are taking a picture.  Every flaw is apparent, every weakness bold and obvious.  When the picture is complete, though, you can tell when it has the exact feeling for which you were searching.  It comes together in that perfect way that more people could not better create.  A self-portrait is a view into a private life that is unavailable by mere photography in its most basic form. A self-portrait is real life.  A self-portrait is raw, flaws and all.