Self Portraits

I've decided to follow along with the photography assignments on Me Ra Koh's SOAR! site and share them with you. The first assignment was somewhat daunting here's why...

Directions for Photography Exercise #1

The first SOAR! Photography Exercise is all about “Doing the Deeper Work”.  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?   Are you excited, afraid, alone?  What colors are you wearing?  If we saw your true insides, what would they look like right now?  What object would symbolize this time in life?  What angle would you shoot it from and why?

I realized in doing this exercise that I was really struggling with the idea of who I was - the truth is that I've been feeling a little lost. I realized that as much as I'd like to think of myself as the adventurous type, I really do like to have structure and familiarity. When I moved from New York to Chicago, I left behind the friends I had made and a support system that I had grown used to. Even though moving to Chicago was really exciting for me and I was happy to be getting back to the midwest and closer to my family, I underestimated how hard it would be to build a new life here. I struggled with doubt and insecurity every step of the way - was I worthy and good enough to start a new business in a city where I didn't know anyone, would I meet new friends here and would I grow to feel like this was really my home? I'm sure everyone struggles with these thoughts whenever they start a new adventure in life, but I kind of thought I would be used to these feelings by now, after all I had moved from Milwaukee to New York, moving to Chicago should've been like moving back home.

The photo of me with my back to the mirror symbolizes where I'm at right now - trying to find my identity in a new city and in a new point in my life. I'm still looking back, but trying to move forward.

The picture of the inside of my fridge is the "object" that I think represents this time in my life - I have all the ingredients, I need I just need to get creative with how I mix them together and start cooking - metaphorically speaking.

Picture credits: © 2010 Suzy Rohan