I had been craving some self-portrait shoots for a while now, and tonight I finally had a chance. Plus this was an idea that I had sketched out at the very beginning of summer, possibly earlier, so I am glad I finally was able to do it.
I thought of this one sleepless night a while back, title and all. I had been trying to get together with my friend Susannah for ages so that she could do hair and makeup for me, but we both have been extremely busy. Our schedules finally worked tonight, and so I went over to her house, and she went to town on my hair and then snapped the shutter for me. My hair was (well, is) so big that it got squished while getting into my car. The editing process for this image was almost absurd. It took close to three hours, and went through maybe six different versions before settling on this one.
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Here are some self-portraits from past shoots. Sorry for overloading everyone with blog posts lately!
I have had this idea in my head (title and all) for quite a few weeks, and finally got around to it. More to come for sure, I had a tough time deciding on one.
Also, once again I have entered a contest which requires votes. I would so appreciate every vote I can get, so please, go vote for my portfolio and spread the word to as many people as you can! They have a quick and easy way of sharing my portfolio through facebook and twitter among other things, so get the word out! And of course, thank you so much for all the support everyone!
I liked so many from this shoot that I just have to share them. I still can’t really believe that my 52 week project is over, but luckily with my parents in town to celebrate my birthday and graduation I don’t have much time to think about much else. Next week however, I will most likely have to start something back up, so be on the lookout!
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.
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.
Well, all of the images are finally up on the site for the contest! For the first time ever you can see the entire series, in the correct order, and in one place in an online format! Please remember to go vote and spread the word!! Thank you for all the support! But, if nothing else, at least go check out the series!
I was stuck in bed all day yesterday with an awful stomach virus, so I just got around to last week’s picture today.
This was a close second for my picture this past week, so I thought I would upload it as well.
Abigail Thompson Photography 