52/52 – Searching.

I cannot believe I am actually done with this project. It has been going on much longer than a year, because I put it on pause for my 365, and that makes it even more unreal that I am finished.

This project probably has meant more to me than my 365 did. Over the last 15 weeks this project has taken on an entirely new purpose for me as well. At the beginning of the project I was just taking self-portraits every week. I admit that for the most part not much thought was put into the shots, and for sure not much meaning was placed behind them. The past 15 weeks however have been drastically different. Every single shot has been extremely personal and meaningful. And almost every image has had lots of thought and planning and purpose behind it.

Because the last 15 weeks have been so powerful for me, it makes me kind of sad that this is over. This project has become a sort of  therapy for me. It has been a way for me to express what is going on, a form of venting. And this method of expression is perfect for me and how I deal with things. I don’t think I will be able to go for very long without starting up another project that incorporates self-portraits. I need them in my life at this point. They have become almost essential. I am already starting to plan out my next project, which as of now will most likely be a 365/52 week hybrid of sorts.

As for the shot at hand, definitely one of the best shoots I have had in a long time. I am giving all credit to my friend Danielle who is finally back in town. We drove around for a bit to find a spot, which is always entertaining with her. And then we walked on these railroad tracks, with houses next to it and me in my prom dress holding an umbrella. Towards the end we had an audience of sorts, and he was kind enough to blast some Soulja Boy for our last few pictures. Needless to say it was quite entertaining. This image and the title sum up every aspect of my life right now. It is quite incredible how perfectly it fits with the end of this project and with my situation at the moment.

And on that note, I will stop rambling, so enjoy my last 52 week shot. And be warned that there are others from this shoot that are sure to come.

51/52 – Bleed

I have had this shot in mind for quite a few weeks, and finally got around to it this weekend. It isn’t quite as relevant as it was when I thought of it, but still is packed with meaning for me.

This may have been the longest it has ever taken to set up one of my pictures too. I had scoped out the location a couple of weeks ago, so I didn’t waste time trying to find one. But, once we got on location, I had to find the right angle for the camera, and then the right angle for me to lay down. Once I figured that out, I laid down amidst countless spiders and other creepy crawlies, and my friend attached red yarn to me and the trees around me. It was weird for me to not be the one physically setting up the shot, and I just had to lay there and direct him since I was attached to branches all around. It rained fairly hard twice while I was laying there, and I flicked off quite a few spiders throughout the process.

Overall it was quite the shoot. I wish that the yarn was more visible and obvious, and pulled tighter to prevent the slack, but it is just yet another lesson learned.

50/52 – Untitled

This really isn’t at all what I originally had in my head for this shoot. But, it was rushed, and not planned out all that well, and life goes on. I don’t normally do this, but I will briefly try to explain what I had planned…

I had found a tutorial online for how to make these beautiful twine balls, using balloons, glue, and cornstarch. Right away I knew I wanted to make some for a self-portrait shoot. It was quite fun to sit on the floor and make these, and for the most part I think they turned out pretty cool. I just used white yarn, and then once dry I sprayed them with white spray paint to get a very bright white. Originally I had wanted to find a clump of beautiful blooming trees, ideally big pink blossoms. In my head this clump of trees would create a shelter like setting, and I would then hang the yarn balls and sit beneath them with sun coming through the branches. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a location that matched what I had in my head, and I got started to late and ran out of bright sun. It may be something I try again at some point, but I had to deal with what I had available at the time, and I am fairly happy with what I got for the circumstances.

Also, I just entered a contest that has the potential to completely change everything for me. It is a self-portrait contest, and I have submitted the series that I am most proud of, from this past summer. There is a “people’s choice” award, and I would so appreciate your vote! All you have to do is go to my portfolio and rate my portfolio 5 stars. No registration or anything necessary, just a click. You can vote once daily, until Wednesday, April 20. I cannot even begin to express how much I would appreciate your vote, and how much I would appreciate you spreading the word to everyone you know! Just click here to go to my portfolio. Thank you so much for the support!

49/52 – Untitled

I had plans for an elaborate, complicated self-portrait shoot this week, but things happened, plans changed, and I didn’t get to do it. I was going to try again tonight or tomorrow night, but my hair was looking wonderfully curly yesterday afternoon after letting it air dry and so I spontaneously took some simple shots just in case. It was an extremely rushed shot, and because of this is it very similar to a couple of other recent (or somewhat recent) self-portraits. Since it was so similar to other self-portraits I decided to play with editing more than I usually do. Needless to say it is not my typical style, but I love how it turned out.

Only three more weeks of this project, and I am already getting sad that it is coming to an end. I have three BIG ideas for my last three shots though, so I only hope they work out so I can add something a little different to the project still.

48/52 – Tears.

I was stuck in bed all day yesterday with an awful stomach virus, so I just got around to last week’s picture today.

47/52 – Within a Dream

Yesterday afternoon I watched the movie “The Science of Sleep” (which is such a great movie I might add), and was inspired by so many things in the movie. Immediately after watching it I got this image stuck in my head, and despite having other ideas for my self-portrait this week, this image just would not go away. It was the most vivid idea for a picture I have ever had, and the most persistent. And it turned out almost exactly how it was in my head.

And, I left the clouds hanging above my bed, it is wonderful.

46/52 – Smoke and Mirrors

This weekend I went on a mini spring break trip to Gatlinburg, TN with a group of some great friends. I had wanted smoke bombs for pictures for a long time, and since I was in TN I just had to buy some. This is not anywhere near my original idea, but I kind of love how it turned out.

Big, big thanks to all the helpers I had for this picture! I couldn’t have done it without you guys!

45/52 – Alone

I have had this image in my head for ages, maybe since I saw this awesome light in my friend’s room even. Thank you Dave for letting me rearrange your room for my picture.

I may potentially post a few others at some point, I had a tough time deciding.

 

44/52 – Constricted

43/52 – Drift

I am feeling quite miserable at the moment, and didn’t go to school because of it. No voice, plus coughing fits, plus congestion equals bad teaching. Anyways, I was listening to the rain this morning and an image for a self-portrait popped into my head. So, I did what any sick person would do, I went outside to take pictures of myself twirling around in the cold/rain.

This is quite possibly the earliest I have ever gotten my 52 week picture done too.