Kas is the photographer and owner of The Humble Lion. She creates seasonal self portrait challenges and this spring was my first time participating! I was nervous, preemptively comparing myself to others and not sure what to expect. Typing this on day 5, I am so grateful for this challenge. It forced me far out of my comfort zone and to face my anxiety each day. I am re-inspired, excited and a better photographer because of this challenge! Being intentional about documentation is important. Most days, I take photos of everything. I send snapchats of bunnies to friends, take screenshots of recipes that sit in my camera roll forever. My phone becomes unintentionally cluttered while my DSLR remains a place for intentional images only! This challenge allowed me to address the way I create art and document my own life. As a photographer, I am seldom in front of a camera lens- until this week when it became the norm!
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Day 1 - Mirror monday
I was definitely slowly warming up for day one of the photo challenge. I brought my mirror outside and followed Kas’s “be a silly goose” prompt as best I could while trying to take a reflection photo. This first day was not very curated and I was mostly focusing on the anxiety I had about my neighbors potentially seeing me and judging me. I didn’t really get over that anxiety, I just took photos quickly and went back inside. But it felt good to start and to check day 1 off my list.
Day 2 - Tuesday’s together: a Photo with Someone You Love
When the prompt email was sent out for the day, I wanted to take photos with my boyfriend, but he was at work and it was raining outside. So I vowed not to procrastinate and I pulled out my favorite photo of my Dad. “Chris and Tarah - 1989”
This project has helped me to remember that documenting a moment is always worth doing. I don’t see my Mom and Dad too often since I moved to Colorado. Our days together are so different now. We only see each other when we schedule it. Which is normal in adult life, but it’s odd how that changes in an instant and will never be the same again. I treasure all the time I spend with the parents and I will treasure it even more after this challenge.
Day 3 - Wildflower Wednesday
This day was busier than usual for me, so I knew I needed to choose a convenient location so I could get this prompt done! I would have liked some blossoming cherry trees to be featured, but the urban garden park across the street from my house offered yuccas, pine trees and was a 2 minute walk. I was frustrated taking these photos! I had trouble getting the focus correct and my janky tripod was failing me as usual… But I made the photos happen!
Day 4 - Thrivin’ Thursday
For the past 5 years or so, meditation, journaling and self development has been an important part of my daily routine. Although this work is never done, I know I’m thriving in my spirituality lately and wanted to capture that with a journal and my oracle deck. The style of these photos turned out beautifully in my friend Taylor’s lovely home. But it made me think about re-creating the environment more realistically in my home at night with a candle and string lights. I was much happier with these photos than the day before. The process was easier thanks to some tips from Kas and a more relatable prompt.
Day 5 - Friday Funsies
The final day! I wanted to scout a location for future clients at the creek in Lyons, CO. So I took the opportunity to create some images while I was there. Location scouting and all the aspects of my job as being a photographer make me feel fulfilled. When I’m out in nature and exploring new places with fresh perspectives, I feel continually inspired to grow in my business and in my personal life.
Based on how many photos I took for this day’s challenge, you can tell I resolved the camera focus issue and was able to fully enjoy the process and be more creative. Being out in the sun around 1pm was new for me too! I typically meet clients for shoots closer to sunset or sunrise, and kind of began to make myself believe that was the only time I should take photos. Since today, I have a new interest and liking around the harsh sun at high noon!
