A Self-Portrait Story: 30 Days of Facing Myself
SELF LOVE
After 15 years of photographing women, you start to notice patterns.
I’ve watched countless clients instinctively suck in their stomachs, hide their arms, or apologize for their bodies before I even lift my camera. I’ve heard all the “I hate my double chin” and “can you Photoshop this out?” comments more times than I can count.
Here’s the thing: every single one of them is worthy of being seen just as they are. And I believe that with my whole heart.
But I also knew that if I wanted to talk more publicly about body image - really talk about it, not just post a cute caption with a sprinkle of empowerment, I had to go first.
And wow, did I resist that.
Because why do I always have to go against the grain? Why can’t I just keep things surface-level, stay behind the camera, and avoid making myself vulnerable online like a normal person? But the truth is, if I was going to ask other women to stop hiding, I had to stop hiding too.
The 30-Day Challenge
This all started quietly. One day, I touched my stomach and felt instant shame. That moment hit me harder than I expected, and I knew something needed to change. So I committed to what was supposed to be a "fun" challenge of taking self-portraits every day for 30 days using only my iPhone and posting them on Instagram. No fancy lighting, no waiting until I felt “cute,” no hiding behind filters or perfectionism.
Just me. Showing up.
And here’s what I discovered:
My Creativity Got a Major Wake-Up Call
Working with limitations: just me, my iPhone, and whatever space I was in, forced me to think differently. It actually affirmed my instincts and creativity as a photographer. Turns out, I don’t need a client, a curated space, or perfect conditions to create meaningful images. I just need to be willing to see.
Perfectionism Had to Go
Some days, I didn’t love the photo. Some days, I didn’t love how I looked. But I posted it anyway. This challenge taught me to stop obsessing over every detail and just post the damn photo. Letting go of perfection felt like a muscle I had to keep flexing, and each time I did, it got a little easier.
Smiling in Photos Isn’t Required
Not forcing a smile felt weird at first. I had to retrain myself to sit in stillness, in presence, and let my expression be whatever it was. Some days I looked soft. Some days I looked strong. Some days I looked like I needed a nap. But it was real, and that was the whole point.
The First Post Is the Scariest
That first photo? Terrifying. I felt exposed, unsure, and very close to deleting the whole thing. But guess what? With each post, the fear faded. The more I showed up, the less I cared about being perfectly posed or universally liked. I started posting for me, not for approval.
People Are Kinder Than You Think
I braced myself for judgment or awkward silence. What I got instead? Encouragement. DMs from women saying “I'm so invested in this project.” Comments from friends cheering me on. It reminded me that when we share vulnerably, people don’t look away, they lean in.
This project didn’t fix my body image. That kind of healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have a 30-day deadline.
But it cracked something open. It helped me soften. It gave me proof that I don’t have to hide the parts I used to avoid. And it reminded me that our bodies are not problems to fix - they’re homes we get to come back to.
This is my self-portrait story. A little messy. A little bold. A lot more honest than I ever thought I could be.
And if you’ve ever felt disconnected from your own reflection, I hope these photos remind you that you’re not alone—and that showing up, exactly as you are, is enough.
You can view all of the photos from the challenge here on Instagram.