Self-Portraits are Kind of Like Pap Smears
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 1:06PM You know you should do them. You can't get past how uncomfortable it is. But when the doc says, "All done. Clean up" you realize it wasn't that bad. Except for when you have to scooch your bum to the edge of the table. That's always awkward.
SP's aren't like being photographed at a party or when someone says, "Squeeze together and say: CHEESE!" SP's can be a little worse because it's just you. There's no one photo-bombing the background. There's no adorable child to take attention. Just you. Tiffani from freeplaylife is doing a great project: 52 Weeks to a freeplaylife. And when you get to know Tiffani, you want a little more of her attitude. 2012's 366 is the only big project I'm committing to this year, but I'm going to keep an eye on her project.
Week One: Speak your needs and ask for want you want. I have no problem doing this. But to humor her, I asked Mark to watch the Real Housewives finale in the family with the bigger, nicer, DVR hook-up TV. I usually retreat to the office. Surf the web when the drama goes stale. Because I'm close to the boys' room, I usher them back to bed while keeping an ear on the TV. On Monday, I wanted the big tv so I could pause the program to fill up my wine glass and usher the boys back to bed without missing a beat. I wanted. I got.
Week Two: Self Portrait. It's been a while since I've stepped in front of the camera. She asked and laid out the points again on why it's wise to do a SP. She even gave some tips. Fine. I'll bite. My Mom hates when we do SPs. She'll say things like: why is it in Black & White. I hate Black & White. Why aren't you smiling? Couldn't you clean up? Comb your hair? Or at least wash it! I guess it's ok... (with the tone of "No it isn't) She'll deny all this if she ever reads the blog, but I know the truth.
I don't feel like cleaning up just for a photo. I'm not combing my hair for a photo either. This is me. This is me on a day when I was in the office. This is me when I decided to keep my youngest home because I'm out of the house a lot this week. This is me thinking that keeping him home and working is never easy or ideal. This is me next to the string cheese wrapper which held his lunch. Yes, a cheese stick for lunch. He didn't want anything else and I'm not going to pick a fight because I think he should eat more. There's always time for a snack. This is me trying to figure out a good SP. This is me in front today's dirty dishes. This is me not worrying that the pose makes my ass look big. Cause in the end, I don't really care about any of that stuff. This is me getting in front of the camera as I am.
This is me testing out the angle.
This me doing my best I don't give a shit look and me giving my best "I'm relaxed JC Penney" studio shot while sitting on the kitchen sink.
This is me taking it to the ground and Charlie getting in on the action while giving me some action.
This is me reacting to Charlie's best Honey Badger impression. She don't give shit either.
This is me doing a SP
This is me doing the "B&W life/motherhood/working Mom juggling" is hard pose. Don't be surprised if this one pops back up when a patch gets rough.
Pretend like you've never seen it.
So go on and do Week Two with freeplaylife. It's fun to see yourself. People remind us all the time that our kids grow up so quickly. Guess what? So do their parents. Stop. Take a picture of yourself. Do it now. Don't clean up. Use whatever camera you have. Don't worry about smiling or looking put together. Do it with your kids/pets/ or solo. Just photograph you. Show your future self what you were doing when your life needed all of you. I'm guessing your future self will love the past self.
If I've influenced you to do a SP, please post a link on my FB page! I'd love to see You.
Reader Comments (11)
(Coming over from the link on FB from the freeplaylife page)
I have more of a love-hate relationship with SPs but a) I like your metaphor and b) doing one in the kitchen had never occurred to me (I'm in there a lot, but not really to cook, if that makes sense). So, thanks for that inspiration.
And I love that last shot. Really truly love it.
Just for you, Erika. I had it all set to post this morning, but I decided not too. Until now. : )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethanypetrik/6761694383/in/photostream
Last shot love going on over here. I'm doing a self portrait project this year. Maybe by the end of the year I'll get something great out of remote mode.
You are adorable. And I bet my dog still wishes I looked at him like that.
Love it! You're so inspiring. My post will be up in the morning. :)
I love your writing style! And I'll be workin' on more SP's. Thanks for the shove :)
i always love coming here xxxx
Alright, after I read this I went and took a handful in the kitchen.
They're uploading to the computer at the moment, I'll let you know how it goes.
I love these, it's such a funny thing making friends on the internet, because unless they do sp's often,
it's hard to piece together what they look like completely unless they're doing posts like this often.
Oh, and I really like that plaid you're wearing.
oh I adore this post ... and I adore you.
and WHY can't I ever get close enough to the edge of the table? i seriously feel like I have scooted as far as I can scoot, and then he always says, "just a little further."
Seriously. I stopped at the title and felt like I had finally passed a kidney stone. Hallelujah!! You have fully articulated my own SP experience. I will totally use this--and completely give you credit for it. There are no other better words.
Love all of these photos. ALL of them. Captured your process perfectly.
Well said! They are like pap smears! UGH! I take a lot of them too. You are a very cute mom. A mom that wears converse and talks about the infamous honey badger is a cool mom in my book. Keep up the selfies. You (and your kids) (not so much your mom) will be so happy you did. :)