The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

It’s All About Me

by

Did that title grab your attention?

You know it’s not REALLY all about me, right?  Certainly you know me better than that.  However, I will admit that taking self portraits kind of makes it feel that way.

My friend Sarah inspired me to try this project again (like she did in 2013)(I lasted until May or June, I think) and I am one month in and doing pretty well.  I typically miss a day each week for some reason, who knows.  I guess it’s just because I forget.  Yes, that would be why. 🙂

I like this project for a few reasons…

1)It means that I am in photos too.  I am (and probably you too) typically the one behind the camera, not in front of it, so I miss opportunities to be in photos.  I don’t want my kids looking back some day and saying, “Mom, why aren’t you in any of the pictures?”

2) I have had learned how to use the timer on ALL of my cameras.  This includes my phone.  This way I know how to use any of my cameras at any time and in any place I need them (so you would think I would not miss any days, right?!)

3) I can see myself and our environment change over the course of an entire year.  If the kids are in the photos (they are in some with me) I can see them change too.  This year I turn 40 so I think it’s a great time to do this.  For whatever that is worth.  And just watching an entire year of my life in photos is gonna be pretty cool, I think.

4)I’m committed to taking at least ONE photo every day. Kind of like the 365 project, but with more ME. 😉

 

What I do not like so much about this project:  I really SEE myself.   And sometimes that is hard because I don’t envision myself the same way these photos SHOW me.  It can be difficult to look at yourself that closely.  Some of the photos are really hard to look at because when I see them I don’t like the way my body looks, especially from certain angles.   Also, I tend to look more melancholy in these photos than I thought I would or that I generally am.  My regular, just watching-something or reading-something face seems kind of sad.  Those photos make me want to smile more.  But then, that may not be very realistic.  You know?

These photos ARE revealing, in good ways and bad.  I am doing my best to focus on the good as much as I can.

 

I thought I would share a few of my favorites so far.

 

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At the zoo in Baton Rouge. G spied that the camera was going off, so he smiled. I acted natural. 😉

 

 

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Watching a little tv on Sunday before cleaning house and cooking, still in my church clothes.

 

 

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K and I at the table on a weekday morning. She goes to school later than the boys (and Tim usually takes them) so we still have a little time together in the mornings, just the two of us.

 

 

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The puppy and I having a moment in the kitchen after I took him for a walk.

 

 

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Outside in the kids’ playhouse, checking out a spider web.

 

 

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Enjoying a lovely winter day at a park near our house, K and I were watching what the dog was up to.

 

Another revealing thing about these? Apparently I wear my hair in a pony-tail way more than I thought I do! ha!

 

Would you ever do a year-long self portrait project? 

 

You can follow along with my project on Facebook too in my 2015 Self Portrait album.

Comments

  2. I did a 30 day self-portrait project back in 2013, and it was fun. I’m sure I can do another one, but I don’t think I can pull of a year. Kudos to you for doing this, and I love your pictures. I like these glimpses into your life, and your home is beautiful.
    Alison recently posted…I’m Cool With TransitionsMy Profile

    • I remember that, I really liked it. I love seeing the daily life of others. That’s why I think this is so intriguing. Well, part of the reason anyway… Thank you, my friend!

    • I hope you’ll do it, although you also have all those awesome videos of you dancing! Talk about a treasure trove! 😀

  4. I’m not disciplined enough to do a year-long photo shoot of SELF but I think I would discover much the same things that you discover, and I do think it would be good for me.

    And you do know that I think you are beautiful and shiny, inside and out. These photos don’t show me anything but beauty!
    Lady Jennie recently posted…The Viscount – Chapter Twenty-OneMy Profile

  6. Ha! I have the same problem with not looking happy when I don’t smile. It is because of my downturned mouth. I always look sad or mad if I’m not smiling. It gets really exhausting walking around smiling all the time. Ugh.

    Lovely pictures of you. I think you look fantastic. But I know we are always our worst critique.
    I remember reading a book (Embraced by the Light) of this woman who died and went to heaven. As she left her body (and as she was reviewing her life in heaven) she got to see herself in 3D, something we never get to do on earth, and she saw herself in a whole new light. She saw herself as others saw her. She had always been so critical of herself but seeing herself in 3D changed how she thought about herself. I thought about that as you said you don’t like to look at yourself in some of the pics. I think we all feel that way, but we really aren’t getting the full picture. We aren’t getting the nuances of the graceful way we move, or the humor in our hand gestures as we talk, or the love in the way we comfort people. You just can’t capture that in a single shot. So, I guess what I’m trying to say (to you and to me) is to go easy on yourself. You will never be able to see yourself as you truly are to others, and there are a great many others that see you as completely and totally beautiful in every way.
    Kat recently posted…A Few Of My Favorite ThingsMy Profile

    • Kat, I always love your comments! So thoughtful…

      Thank you for that, of your words of wisdom and truth. And I guess I have a downturned mouth too, which I never thought about before… ha!

  7. Seriously totally love that you do this! I love how you just try and look so natural (and you do) in the moments. I always imagine myself looking a little differently than I do, some days I walk by the mirror and am like crap, I really should have done some makeup today, I look worn out.
    Emmy recently posted…Here is My PostMy Profile

    • I think I look worn out some days too. Maybe that is why there aren’t very many close-ups. 😉

      I can see you trying this too…

  8. Now, see I love those photos of you. So many photos are posed. I really like how you’ve taken the time to photograph yourself doing everyday things. I think that everyone pictures themselves differently than photos come out. At least ponytails look good on you!
    Leslie recently posted…Radio SilenceMy Profile

    • Thanks, Leslie! And I do try not to pose, although I know the camera is going off. I won’t deny sucking in… ;-p

  9. YES! I totally stand behind this project with you! And thanks for the shout-out 🙂 I think it’s so powerful and IMPORTANT for us to be in our own pictures. To see the change over time–it helps me reflect and grow and I love that you’re doing this too. All of the pictures above are so, so great. xoxo.
    sarah reinhart recently posted…I’m in my golden age of motheringMy Profile

  10. I think it’s a great idea. I was thinking about your project last night because I just got my first DSLR and I’m totally intimidated by it but I thought if I just try to take one good picture a day that I would be able to learn how to use it. See your inspiring people already.
    Julia recently posted…One Hundred and Fifty SixMy Profile