Artistic Self Portrait Series - My photography elevated over the years
I have been really concentrating on taking artistic self-portraits series since 2017. This is a look back at all my favorite self-portraits in 2017, 2018, and 2019. I am excited to see what I create in 2020!
August 2017 (above) was the first time I played with the idea of taking a self portrait. This photograph really inspired the whole series, thinking it would only be a one time thing but as I created I felt a sort of emotional release.
August 2017 This photo was taken around the same time as the first. I was inspired by the nature in this area in Oregon. So I came back with my camera, tripod, remote to take the photos from far and a dress packed into a backpack. I hiked up high to this rocky formation and set up the camera and played. The wind really helps play with the emotions in this photograph.
November 2017 I found this random structure made of fallen trees in the woods. I knew I had to return to this spot with my camera. When I came back I found the structure had fallen down due to weather. So I rebuilt as close to the original as possible. I bought a black cape and fake prop knife and had fun making spooky portraits for fall.
November 2017 This was taken in my first apartment where I lived alone. I set up a backdrop and used the natural window light. I put on a wig and makeup. I used a slow shutter and experimented with more movement and a more portrait style photograph.
January 2018 The Fate of the Norns. I have always been a fan of Pagan Nordic mythology and was inspired by the legend of the Norns. It’s a story of the three sisters, goddesses of fate, Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, who weave the fate of your past, present, and future.
In January 2018 I broke my ankle and was stuck at home a lot, which inspired this dark series of self-portraits. I used some natural window light and the light of a candle.
May 2018 Another indoor window light set up. I had been in Oregon for over a year and loved experimenting with darker elements of photography and pushing the boundaries. I created this “haze” effect by putting a plastic sandwich bag around the lens so it creates a ethereal feel.
May 2018 This one is inspired for my love of black metal music and how the band and musicians always have what is called “Corpse Paint” on. An extreme black and white makeup where the black around the eyes is spiked or drips to create an evil bat like look. I used fake blood to drip out of my mouth which was disgusting and not recommended at all.
August 2018 I finally got the courage up again to go bring my camera outside. This was taken at a park and people definitely saw me and watched me be a weirdo jumping in the field with a camera.
August 2018 Same photography set up as the photo above, I just added a plastic sandwich bag around the lens to create blur and haze.
August 2018 I experimented with a softer self-portrait of close-ups of my shoulders, neck, and hands. It created a gentle element to the series.
August 2018 I took a long road trip by myself around western Oregon to find this beautiful natural park called Cottonwood Canyon. It was filled with beautiful dusty brown dirt and rocks, soft sage green bushes, and amazing scenery! Again I hiked up a slot in the canyon with my backpack full of camera gear and a dress. I seem to hate the look of shoes in the self-portraits and have since always forgone the shoes. Of course, I always end up stepping on someone or hurting my feet. But it makes me feel more connected to the elements and reminds me of being a child always walking barefoot in the summer and training my feet to toughen up!
August 2018 Taken on my long photo road trip to western Oregon. I found this campground in the middle of nowhere by a stream and sat in the bushes.
August 2018 Taken on my long photo road trip to western Oregon. Camping by a stream near the painted hills. You can see the back of the painted hills in the background. I took these photos with a photo remote that I would hide down my bra so I could be hands-free!
August 2018 The last photo I took on my long photo road trip to western Oregon. Another campsite and the moon was a crescent as you can see behind me. I had this random string of LED lights for decoration and put it in a circle to create almost a ritual. I stood in the middle of the photo wearing a cape. The sun had set so the photo required a slow shutter speed, which meant I had to stand still. You can see the wind blowing the cape slightly.
January 2019 This was taken in the woods of Oregon. It was cold, dark and wet. I was going through something very hard and this location captured it perfectly. I kept my shoes on and you can see the remote in the photo.
March 2019 I am back experimenting with indoor window light portraiture while using other elements to play with the depth of field.
May 2019 This photograph is heavy. I call it “Reclaiming my Heart”. I was in pieces. I was terrified, hurt, sad, depressed, lonely, lost and so many other feelings. I used a mesh cloth for the backdrop and interwove it stuck in the fallen dried dead tree. Even the background is full of tension. It’s overcast and the clouds hang low. The expression on the body is exhaustion and hiding. This is the second photograph in the series that I saw, this really is something special to continue. To use these photographs to express myself while using nature.
September 2019 This is more of a straight forward portrait. Living in Colorado now, embracing new challenges.
November 2019 Cowgirl self portrait
December 2019 Taken in the middle of winter down by the river in Colorado. Yes, it was freezing.
December 2019 Experimenting with only one red light. This was the second time I played with a single red light but added a small flashlight to illuminate a bit more of the self-portrait.
December 2019 Feeling free and safe. A self portrait in Moab in the winter where I am the same color as the sandstone around me. Yes, it was freezing!