I’m over at Mortal Muses today, kicking off a week of musing on self-portraits with this image of me in my little creative space in our apartment here in Italy. We’ve been talking about a self portrait prompt amongst the muses for quite some time, and I must admit I had been dreading it. I don’t like pictures of myself. I see all of my flaws, the things I want to change. I’ve never quite figured out the self-portrait craze that seems to be going on in photography right now.
The dread was reduced when I finally got the idea to capture a picture of me in this place, our apartment in Italy, which we are leaving so soon. This little space you see me in is where my creative journey has unfolded. Where I dream, plan, and capture all of my ideas as they emerge. This is me, right now, right here. In the process of doing this prompt, I discovered something interesting – I actually like this photo of myself. I still see all of my physical flaws, but it’s as if they diminish in importance because there is more context. This is a self-portrait of more than the outer shell, it shows what’s going on inside too. There are a thousand details in this photo I could point out, each representing some aspect of me that goes beyond what you see on the outside. I like that.
So often, with portraits, it’s all about keeping the focus on the physical person and trying to remove a distracting background. Sometimes though, the context found in that background is as important to the portrait as the person itself. Context can make a portrait something more. I learned this when I saw the work of photographer Jason Bell, at an exhibit in the National Portrait Gallery in London. The portraits were for his project, An Englishman in New York, and his work struck me for how he captured the setting as much as the person in the image. These portraits are about each person in their place, and they tell a larger story than just a great head shot alone.
I’m heading out today for another week of vacation, this time to Scotland. It’s our last week-long vacation here in Europe before we move back to the US on July 1. You’ll see a few scheduled posts from me over the next week but I’ll be back, live and in person, on June 6. Have a great week!
Great portrait Kat. I find it really frightening facing the camera because I'm TOTALLY unphotogenic and always have been (the only exceptions are when a camera catches me unawares so I'm not doing my silly, self-conscious pouty thing!!) Have a great time in Scotland. You'll love it.
PS. Do you ever work :-))
Hey! That's a lovely photo and you are pretty! 🙂
That's a great photo of you and your spot. You'll be glad you have it when you leave there. 🙂
I think most of us, if we are being honest, aren't really in love with self-portraits. I'm no exception.
Kudos to you for getting past your uncomfortable feelings and just doing it. I do agree, they seem to be much better when the subject is doing something or in an interesting environment.
Your self-portrait is just fine, Kat. Well done. 🙂
I think this is a lovely portrait, Kat. I like photos like these that show a person in THEIR sense of place. Thanks so much for stopping in and taking the time to comment on my stepping back from superwoman post. Sometimes I do feel I'm all alone is this massive juggle so it's nice to hear from others who are doing, or have done, the same. The Mortal Muses group sounds intereting! I'd love to hear more. Enjoy your trip to Scotland! I'm of Scotch-Irish heritage and have always wanted to visit there. One day.
okay, for some reason, I haven't been able to get out of the "anonymous zone" lately. This is Kelly!
http://happyshackdesigns.blogspot.com
Have such a great vacation – I love your perspective on the self portrait. I usually clear out distractions but I love the way you approached this.
Nice to see you! I believe it is only ourselves that see the flaws in our own portraits. I love your wall of inspiration.
What a wonderful self portrait — so open and expressive! I love seeing you in your creative space. Brava for you in taking this risk — I feel the same way about pictures of me, most of which I delete.
Have a great vacation!
I love this picture of you Kat! It looks like the Kat I know and I don't just mean superficially, if that makes sense. I thought it was interesting what you said about context too. It's nice to see you in your creative environment 🙂
What flaws?
I love this picture, too. It tells so much. I'm so glad you did this. So I'm wondering if you used the timer, how did you look so casually posed.
I love this! Such a tribute to you, your creative space and your time in Italia.
Lovely portrait Kat ! And although I often want ,with portraits, to remove all the distractions and focus on the person alone, I heard one photographer give a presentation which was all about the context. And why it was so important to do photoshoots in a person's home ( or favourite location) because the context will mean so much to them in the future. As I guess this one will to you, once you are away from Italy.
Look forward to seeing you next week !
Lovely portrait!
You're going to love Scotland- wrap up warm and bring a raincoat!
Your portrait is wonderful! Even though I have never met you, it says a lot about you. Have a wonderful time in Scotland…
Karen
Stunning…love it!
Love this photo Kat, and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!
There's a lot of honesty and humility there and I can relate. Great portrait in context.