Last year I did a “365″ photography project– I shot at least one image every day, all year. It helped me to develop a habit of shooting regularly for myself.

This year, I decided not to commit formally to shooting every day (though who knows- I may and up doing so anyway). I did want some kind of project though, to continue to challenge myself to grow as an artist. I was very excited to have the opportunity to join a group of 16 other amazingly talented photographers in a “52″ project. Every week for one year, we will shoot according to a theme or prompt, and each of us will post the results on our blogs and link to another member of the group. If you follow each link, you’ll come full circle back to my blog!

So this week, we thought it quite appropriate to begin with self portraits.

This is something I have been wanting to do for a while, and I’m glad that this project finally pushed me to go for it. Getting on the other side of my own camera is a completely different experience then shooting someone else, or even having someone else shoot me. Playing both photographer and subject at once- sometimes facing self-confidence issues that keep us from wanting to be photographed to begin with- is… interesting.
As an artist, I believe that it is important to explore self portraits as a means of exploring identity. I love this blog post by Sarah Rhoads on the subject.
I will spare you the hilarious outtakes from this little self-portrait session of mine. {No really- you can’t see them }.

Now head over to Melissa Deakin- Williamsville, New York photographer‘s blog for her self portrait.