me.
I’ve been feeling a little uninspired lately with my photography, stuck in a rut and not really excited enough to even get out my camera. Then I received a book featuring the work of Edward Weston for my birthday and was truly inspired by his work, his nudes in particular. At first I wondered if I could convince a friend to pose for me, but a few days ago I woke up and decided on a whim to try my hand at self-portraits.
I’ve wanted to give self-portraiture a shot for a while now, inspired mainly by Cinnamon’s stream on flickr. Her entire body of work is a visual treat, but her project 365 self portraits are particularly incredible. They are classic, sexy, feminine, sensuous, strong and both artistically and technically solid. Every time I visit her stream I leave wanting to get up the nerve to try this for myself, but until last week I talked myself out of it.
Let me tell you, it was NOT easy! I actually did do a series of nude portraits (NO – I’m not showing!) and let me tell you, it is dang tricky to get yourself posed right (i.e., with no bits showing that shouldn’t be shown), get the focus set correctly, set the timer and get back into position in time for the photo. This would have been a great deal easier if I had a remote – but as this was a spur of the moment thing, I had to work with what I had. I took these against our dining room wall, which is perpendicular to a wall that contains three sets of French doors, which provided fantastic light. We have dyed concrete floors, so I ended up sliding back and forth across those hard, hard floors from the wall to the camera about eight hundred billion times (or so it felt) trying to get the shots I wanted. In the end my hips, tail bones and knees were all bruised! Yikes. The most entertaining moment of the day was definitely when I looked up from my efforts just in time to notice the mail man approaching our front porch. I pulled a chair in front of myself and crouched down till he was gone. Close call!
After the nudes I got dressed and did a series of shots that I will show you - here are the few I have proofed so far.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. And they are even more lovely because I know that you are just as beautiful on the INSIDE! Mwah!
Comment by Rebekah — 10.17.07 @ 3:29:42
you are all kinds of beautiful!
Just wanted to let you know that even in front of the camera, you are capturing works of art!
Comment by lacy — 10.17.07 @ 5:28:11
Very brave of you and just gorgeous - the pictures and you! Your haircut is adorable! I love your poses and expressions! I bet your hubby will adore them (especially the nudes - LOL!)…
Comment by Stephanie in GA — 10.17.07 @ 1:16:19
These are so great!
Comment by moki — 10.17.07 @ 2:53:32
Holy hot mama! What great shots, thanks for sharing.
Would you share your pp?
Comment by Anna — 10.17.07 @ 2:57:58
I think your work is amazing, I hope you our out of your rut! Beautiful portraits!
Comment by Elaine — 10.17.07 @ 3:00:53
hi! just browsing. great shots! you look great! i always look mad in my “serious” poses. great job!
Comment by rosie — 10.17.07 @ 3:32:51
wow, stunning jeanette!! haircut is too cute & you are looking oh so fabulous! kudos to you for getting out from behind the camera. i never to that.
Comment by jen roberts — 10.17.07 @ 9:43:52
You might like to check out this photog for great self portraits and beautiful nudes. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndybisz/ and her blog http://missaniela.com/blog/
I like your self portraits. I think it takes a lot of courage to do self portraits. Courage I have not yet mustered.
Comment by Vicki — 10.18.07 @ 1:37:20
WO, you are gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful! I love them all but especially #2!
Comment by Jennifer — 10.18.07 @ 7:41:50
You sure are hot!
Comment by Karen — 10.19.07 @ 1:03:07
WOW really nice portraits! I wish I can make one of myself..
I like your # 3 Self. you’re really beautiful even if you look a little bit sad!!!
Comment by Jeannette Chirinos Gold — 10.19.07 @ 2:20:59
Fantastic SP’s you are so pretty love your blue eyes
Comment by Elizabeth — 10.19.07 @ 9:10:00
Wow Wow WOW.
Comment by Kim — 10.20.07 @ 9:04:12
you never cease to AMAZE me!! fantastic job! LOVE the first one!
Comment by Toni — 10.20.07 @ 9:53:04
those are AWESOME - i LOVE them. you’re a natural, you’re gorgeous, and i love the light.
Comment by Anna J. — 10.28.07 @ 5:33:44
So enjoyed you sharing this. I finished up Skyes’ workshop last month very inspiring. This light is fantastic!
Comment by april — 11.13.07 @ 4:25:22
Wow these are powerful images, awesome!
so….did you buy the remote yet?
Comment by Melanie Reyes — 11.17.07 @ 11:39:59
You are a natural, you look so cool and confident in the gaze of the camera. Being so ultra cute helps
Comment by Lottie — 11.21.07 @ 11:32:24
I love the lighting the composition and the expression…I love your work!!!
Comment by Tiffany — 01.16.08 @ 1:03:24
wow! these are killer - that second one is so fabulous.
Comment by Jefra Linn — 02.14.08 @ 10:58:55