Imagine: SELF

One of the things that I am trying to do this year is really expand my creativity. I have lots and LOTS of ideas that flow through my mind but chasing around 2 kids kinda makes me forget them lol. I am trying really hard to write my creative ideas down and then take the next step and do something with it! I have desperately wanted to do self portraits but am totally uncomfortable in FRONT of the camera. I can look at a beautiful woman or sweet couple and tell them which way to tilt their head, move their shoulder, etc. When it comes to me getting in front of the camera, I completely freeze up and don't know how to pose myself. I guess this comes with years of self doubt and lack of confidence (but I am working on that). In my mind for these self portraits, I wanted something very bright and breathtaking. Some women have flawless skin, great body language, and can just move at ease. I on the other hand, have scars from teenage sabotage :) (acne), a body of a woman that just had a second child, and the grace of a toddler standing in high heels trying to walk across the room.

I headed outside (my backyard, isn't it beautiful!!) with my trusty tripod and camera remote. I left the kiddos inside playing because it was waaayyy too hot to be out there. I can see inside my house from where I am shooting. I set up my camera, fix the settings to where I wanted them, programmed the remote to the camera, and began my self portrait journey. Now, someone watching me not knowing what I was doing would probably think I have just lost my mind. Here is this crazy girl in high grass, running back and forth to a camera. Then she sits down on the ground and moves around like a bee is flying around her! I have to admit, I probably looked pretty silly with some of the moves and poses I was trying. Remembering that I am very ummm, the opposite of graceful, I was attempting to run back and forth in my lovely pink high heels. I quickly decided to run barefoot and slip the heels on when I was ready for them to show. After all is said and done, I am in love with the way these pictures turned out. I just wanted to post these to let other women (and men) know that it's not about how you look at yourself, but how you envision yourself. I feel that these self portraits have brought on more self confidence and a love for how God has made me. I know that I do not have the perfect body. I eat healthy, minus my chocolate addiction, I am pretty active, and I a have a pretty clean lifestyle. This is MY body and my 4 year old tells me I am beautiful all the time!

See more from this session on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Landrum.Studios