SOAR! Photography Exercise #1: Doing the Deeper Work
Here was my assignment:
“This is a Self Portrait Photography Exercise. You will take TWO Self Portraits. One image will have you in the photo. The second one will be an object that symbolizes you. Both Self Portraits are meant to document where you are in your journey of life. When you think about this present season of life–this monumental moment in your journey of being committed to SOAR!, being on your way to become a successful photographer…How do you feel?”
The next part of the exercise is to share your photos with others. I can do that. Without giving any explanation or excuses. This is where it gets harder. Because if you know me well you know I talk more than I listen. Which is something that I’ve been trying to work on for YEARS!, but I’m still not very good at. Here’s to personal growth all over the place.
So here are my two photos:
Will you help me with the next part? The ladies at the confidence workshop last weekend shared their photos with a small group. Then the others in the group would complete 3 sentences about each photo: I see . . . , I think . . ., I feel . . .
So please, tell me what you see, think, and feel when you look at my first two self portraits. And then it’s my turn to extract my tongue from my teeth and tell you what I was going for!
Samantha
First off Samantha, let me start by saying that I love, love, love, how you took the risk and have put yourself out here…I think you are one of the first that I have seen. Kuddos!!!
Now for your images…I see a woman who has washed away the layers of fears & inhabitions that may have held her back in the past from pursing the desires of her heart. I see a woman who is now jumping with excitement and a fresh/clean prospective regarding what is to come. I see an egg (person) peeling away it’s protective outer shell to reveal a softer, more refined, yet still Firm, existence….somewhat of an unvailing.
I feel the energy of your excitement and the smell the freshness of your perspective as you set forth on your journey.
I think you are READY and open to seeking the desires of your heart. Based on your images, I think there has probably never been a better time and you will definitely succeed at whatever you choose to put all this focused energy into.
btw…I think your images are great, honest, and very depthful (not sure if I just made up that word but I hope you get what I am trying to say.
Anyway,
Congrats & Best Wishes. I look forward to see/hearing more from you.
Love this girl. For the first photo, I see: soft light, a super strong awesome woman, I see sunshine between her toes, and I see a light that seems to radiate from Samantha. I think that I was surprised to see a profile shot for your self-portrait as you tend to take life head on, but I think this shows a side of you people don’t often see. Kind of makes me think you are looking forward – towards the future. I think the expression on your face is also interesting as it is quiet, warm and open, but not as intense as you might expect while jumping in air- makes the photo kind of complex. I also Feel that its great that you are in motion and jumping with a fist in the air, but you are still clutching the towel. Again, perfect reflection of you, energetic and fearless, but not reckless.
The second photo made me think. Which I guess is just like you, Sam. You always make me think, and so the picture also keeps me guessing. In fact, I saw this email in the morning and have been wondering about it all day. I see an egg… an egg with surprising perspective. I feel that this is just like you in a way- an onion has endless layers, but this egg makes me feel like there is something substantive, nourishing and nurturing.
Ok, hope this is what you were looking for – awesome photos, can’t wait to see more!
j
Wow Sam, awesome photos. As you know… I’m not as touchy feely or at least not good at expressing touchy feely stuff orally or in written form – but I will try my best here. The first picture of you jumping in the air with a towel made me feel of one emotion really – freedom. Not touching the ground I guess made me think of flying which for me seems like freedom. That you did it in a towel made me think you are comfortable with yourself, body and spirit. which you should be because you have an awesome body
. Second picture… tougher. The egg with broken shell makes me think of something brittle, fragile. Kind of opposite of the first picture. The egg itself would usually bring back the meaning from israeli traditions, reproduction, spring, life. The fact it is half in the shell and half not… maybe that life is fragile? not terrible sure about that one.
OK don’t know at all if that is what you have in mind but thats what came out when needed to write… hope to see you soon!
Oh my oh my! Amazing self portrait! You inspired me to go much further in my own attempt! Hooray for you!
Wahoo! I am so glad that you have done this. I was looking at my various attempts to do this assignement when Brooke emailed me these links.
So…
The first thing I saw: (Pic 1) Your face. I didn’t even notice you were in a towel until I read the comments. Your face has an honest and excited expression. I think: Martha Graham said, “Movement Never Lies.” I think your movement shows that you know your journey is going to be spectacular and that it will bring you happiness. I feel: Happy for you.
(Pic 2): I saw: A partially peeled brown egg. I think: The brown egg makes it seem more organic, and natural–not indistinguishably white and generic. Its not just peeled, it is carefully peeled, and that makes me think that the broken shell was a deliberate choice. I feel: Motivated to get my own assignment done.
Hoorah! Thanks for sending Brooke these links!