Selfish, A Self-Portrait Project

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We just love this self-portrait project started by Adrienne Russell, Gina Cooperman, and Rebecca Waldock and are excited to share it with our blog readers.

Adrienne Russell

We began this project as three dear friends – dear friends that solidified our relationship here on The Photographer Within in Lynne’s fabulous “Style and Voice” workshop.  Our lives are very different, we come from three completely different areas of the country – I’m Adrienne and I live in Nashville (“Nash”), Gina’s in New York, but was raised in California, and will always be a California girl (“Cali”), and the fabulous force that is Rebecca (Minnesota – or “Minn” to us now).  I call us the trifecta, and we have something important to say!

In the beginning, after being inspired by a fellow photographer, we toyed with the idea of a self-portrait project but weren’t sure if that would be considered arrogant, self-serving, or just plain egotistical.  What sealed the deal, however, was a comment from one of Minn’s friends stating that she had lost her mom at a young age – and so wished she had more photos of her.  That was it.  How could we not do this after a comment like that?  So Selfish – A Self Portrait Project began…

Along this journey a crazy thing happened…  With Minn’s encouragement, we reached out to our photographer friends and now have a whole community of beautiful ladies experimenting, growing, and most importantly documenting their own lives.  We have been “Classy, Sassy, and a little smart a$$y”, as I like to say.  I’ve been out of focus, in focus, posed with my kids, been dramatic, the photos run the gamut (pun intended).  But most importantly – we are HERE.  We are part of the frame, not hidden behind, never to be seen.  My kids will know what their mommy looked like – through every stage of life.  Come join us. You can find our page at Selfish – A Self Portrait Project.  Just one photo a month, you can do it!

Gina Cooperman

So, I was hooked into this by the divine Miss Minn (Rebecca Waldock to the rest of the world). Prior to this project, I quite literally never photographed myself in front of the camera. And, I never really gave it much thought. But, one day, Molly (my daughter) started coloring pictures of just her and I, so I asked what made her want to do that. It was pretty simple. “You don’t take any pictures with me, Mommy.” Ouch. So, what started out as an individual self-portrait project has become (for me) a project of self-portraits with my family. What I love about Selfish is that we all have such different interpretations of the project. That, and there is absolutely no judgement. So, whether you really want to pursue a truly individual self-portrait project, or a project with your spouse, or with your kids…it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re gaining some visibility within the frame, that’s what’s important.

Here, Elise Meader stunned me with the beautiful softness of the frame. The focus is totally on her. And there is such a beautiful emphasis on light and shadow  The juxtaposition is perfect. I just cannot emphasize enough how much I love the quiet softness of this image…And, even in it’s quiet, it speaks volumes. Someone comfortable in her skin, who is breaking free of boundaries previously set upon her by others. It’s just beautiful.

Photo Courtesy of Elise Meader Photography

UK-based artist, Sarah M.. shared the image below as her post for March. I was just stopped in my tracks. I love me a beautiful, moody, dark, black & white. And, this was just all of that wrapped up into one beautiful, gorgeously lit package. Not only that, but it just perfectly encapsulates that bond between mother and child. There is light and darkness, and there is security in that. This is one of those images that makes a very strong, clear statement: be bold. Be honest. Be true.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah M Photography

I suppose, at the end of the day, I”m just drawn to images that evoke some sort of natural emotion. Whatever that emotion may be, if it’s portrayed in a self-portrait (or really any image), it should be honest.

It’s a project that embraces humanity in all its honest forms. Be bold. Be honest. Be Selfish. We’d love to see how you view the world…and yourself.

Rebecca Waldock

First, you should know that I believe I am in every single image I shoot.  Every.  Single.  One.  I am a documentary photographer.  I can shoot a man-hole cover, a tree, a homeless person, or my kids fighting….I am in those images. I shoot what moves me, what I find interesting, humorous, sad, important, fleeting, and mundane, therefore every image is a reflection of me.  Through my work you will quickly find out who and what is important to me.  Guess what?  I am important to me.  So, with some discussion/prodding with friends, I was convinced to get in the frame.  Here is what sealed the deal for me.  She said, “I lost my mom at a young age and I so wish I had more photos of her.”  Boom…done.  She hit me where it hurts.  She tapped into my mortality.  Gone were the notions that self-portraits were conceited or arrogant.  Gone were the self-conscious feelings and awkwardness.  If I didn’t put myself in the frame, who would?  I am the one with the camera, right?

Besides the technical side of a self-portrait, which can be tricky, I have learned a great deal.  I have learned that images of me are just as important as images of my children.  I was surprised when I was editing a self-portrait one day and my 9 year old son came up and told me how beautiful the image was and that he would like me to print it for him.  He told me that he was happy to finally have a photo of me (circle back to what my friend who lost her mom said…).  At what age do we stop documenting our lives?  Am I going to stop documenting my kids’ lives when they turn 10?  Nope.  15?  No.  20?  Not happening. 30?  Ha!  (That’s when it will get really good because they will have kids of their own and the payback begins.) I am going to follow them around with my camera as long I can hold the damn thing.

So, just because I am not an adorable 7 year old girl who is winning her first ski competition am I not worthy of having my life documented?  I don’t think so.  I may not be as cute as my kids, but the stage of life I am in is just as important as the one they are in. Everybody says being a parent is the most important job ever.  Well, then give yourself the respect you deserve and document it.  Just because we have children who take over our lives, cross that line into becoming “a certain age”, don’t look like we used to, don’t think  you are photogenic, or whatever your lame excuse is does not mean we should quietly fall unnoticed into the background.  Let’s make some noise and make people remember that we were here.

Photo Courtesy of Kate Vellacott

What is the downside, really?  You put out a bad self-portrait?  Eh, who cares?  I bet you have put out a photo of someone else that was less than stellar.  I know I have.  I learned from it.  I have learned that it can be scary to put yourself in the frame.  I have learned that women are very hard on themselves, and I am no exception.  I have learned that I am not perfect and I am totally OK with that.  I have learned that the images I take of myself help me express who I am and how I feel.

The fun part is that you have total control over the shoot and the subject.  What other type of photography can you say that about?  Weddings, um no.  Street, newborn, family portraiture, toddlers….ha!  OK, so still-life you have a shot at control.  Anyway, I think you get the point.  You get to do it your way.  No rules.  You want to be silly? – do that.  You want to be dark and mysterious? – Alright.  You want to document yourself folding that never ending mountain of laundry?  Go right ahead.  Snuggling that sweet babe before bedtime – yes please.  You want to be sexy – you go with your bad self!  If you want to do all of those things – you win the award for being awesome. We get one turn on this roller coaster.  Leave your mark.  Do it now.   But seriously, why do you take photographs?  Think about it.  What prompts you to pick up your camera?  What is the motivation?  I am willing to bet my camera (gasp!) that most of you will say, “Because I want to remember.” Or “To document our lives.”  I will leave you with this thought.  Think about your loved ones.  Think about how important they are to you.  Guess what?  You are just as important to them.  Go get your camera.

Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Ragona of Seagreen Photography

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Categorized in: Guest Bloggers, Portraits