I typically obsess over daily challenges and especially love the one that KaS puts on. Her semi-annual self portrait challenge The Humble Lion contains themes, prompts and writing prompts for 5 days in a row. The reflection and creative outlet makes me feel rejuvenated each time I participate in one of her challenges.
Taking self portraits is always a mental challenge, but the technical skills come to me a bit more easily each time and it’s encouraging to see and feel my growth there.
Day 1: Wear or wrap yourself in something black.
-While considering the parts of myself that I'm leaving behind with winter, I think about the ephemerality of each day and each moment ☯️ The spring time brings cold mornings and warm afternoons. As I shed past versions of myself, I honor my growth and give myself all the love and grace I can to move forward. There is so much love, light and abundance to be discovered in the shadows of our souls. I thrive with daily challenges and these projects bring me so much life and creativity ✨
Method: I took these photos of my reflection in a glass door outside of a house. I like the triple exposure, blur effect and it helped me ease into the directness of this challenge.
Day 2: Find something blue in your home that you love.
This tapestry was passed down to me from my sister years ago.
Sometimes I look at it and I like to pretend it's what I see out my window when I sit on the couch.
It reminds me that I can keep peace in my mind even if my environment is chaotic.
Sometimes these types of photo projects can seem random, but they're so important. I won't live in this house forever. I won't look this way forever. So, finding beauty and meaning in an ordinary day is what inspires me most. 💖
Method: I took this tapestry off the wall and brought it to my front door where the light was warmer. A storm was rolling in so I was working around the light fading faster than I expected, but still found ways to get the light to bring out the bright blues of the fabric.
Day 3: Find something green and alive to admire. 🌱
The spring makes me giddy with excitement about color from the cherry blossom trees and tulips popping up in places I didn't realize they've been hiding beneath the soil all winter.
Method: Today's photos were taken after a busy day of work and commuting. I was hungry and couldn't get the focal point where I wanted it to be. I was inspired by some branch shadows that showed up on my head to add a braid to my hair the next time. I had cute dogs assisting me and I continue to find myself patiently waiting for Kas to send the email prompt out each morning!
Day 4: Find something orange that promotes physical or mental health. Hold it in front of you where you feel it benefits you most.
Orange like the sun, it's not typically the first color I choose when picking up my coloring book. Orange feels energizing and full of life. Usually, I color to help slow my thoughts and blue or purple is my first choice.
Coloring helps my mind to place frantic energy on paper in beautiful shapes and colors. It allows me to put my swirling thoughts aside and remember life isn't as serious as I think it is 🌞
Method: It was a rainy day spent in Boulder and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to find something orange for this prompt. After picking up my coloring book, I was happy with the subject and photos from this prompt.
Day 5: Wear something white and find a neutral background. Lean in and look straight into the camera.
I noticed that I felt like my photos weren't as valid today as the other days because I couldn't follow the prompt as closely by wearing white and because my images seemed less lively.
But, the goal of today's prompt was also to look straight into the camera and not shy away from being vulnerable.
After each one of these seasonal or annual challenges, I feel reinvigorated as a creative. I also feel more confident. Sometimes my anxiety takes over and says that my neighbors will think I'm a vain, idiot for taking photos of myself in the backyard.
I overcame that nagging and untrue voice each day this week!
I take photos of myself to challenge my inner creative and to capture the ordinary, but important parts of my life. Because I'll never be this young again, I'll never have this day again. And I'm going to take pictures of it all ✨🌱
THANK YOU for this challenge KaS!!!!
