Who Am I? | Contemplative Photography Project

The topic: Identity
The project: Self-portrait

Christine's self-portrait from 2009.

Sometimes we get lost in our daily lives, forgetting piece by piece who we are. In this contemplative photography project the goal is to examine where we're at today, in this moment. Who do we see when we look in the proverbial mirror? Because it's only through the place of truth of our perception (this is how I really see myself) that we can accept the truth of who we actually are (our identity).

If you'd like a little more conversation on the subject of identity, check out my blog, "Being Named  |  And the Importance of Those Who've Named You."

Recommendations for this Project:

• Self-portraits are more than our mug in the frame (of the camera). Although they can include our faces, many times meaningful self-portraits are like a great auto-biography: they give us a snapshot of who we are at the soul level. So allow yourself to think outside the box.
• Before you begin shooting, take some time to sit with the questions, and perhaps journal through them: Who am I? How do I see myself? Where have I come from?
  
• Allow yourself to be in-process. The goal is not to rush through, come to a new conclusion or realization about your identity...then photograph the outcome. The goal is to photograph in process. It will be messy. It may be uncomfortable. This is good.
  
• Give yourself (ideally) 2-3 hours to photograph your portrait.
• Share your favorite 1-3 photographs with people you trust. If you're comfortable, I invite you to share them here in the comments, or on our Facebook page. If not, please do share them with at least one person in your community who can listen well to your story of shooting your self-portrait.
  

Talk with me:

If you did this project, or are thinking of doing it:

• What was the experience like?
• How was it to think of yourself in the context of this self-portrait?
• What was the most surprising, or uncomfortable, part of the project?