Who drives you around all over town, greets you with a smile instead of a frown? Who bought you your favorite photo gear? Who reads to you and opens your beer? Whose paper did you cheat off in physics class? Who brushes your teeth and wipes your ass? If you’re over the age of five, the answer is probably: “Me.” Not me – Zeke, but me – you. It’s time you thanked yourself with a portrait – a self portrait! (And if you’re under five, lay off the beer, pal!)

My two favorite things about self portraits are exact opposites from each other. 1. Self portraits give me instant access. I can get an idea for a portrait and immediately try it out before my brain can think about it too much and mess it up. 2. Self portraits allow me to revisit and try out an idea over and over, time and time again, months or even years apart. These are both powerful tools on the road to improving your photo skills and creativity.

Other reasons to take self portraits:

• Model is available to work late.
• You can take your time and try many different setups and poses.
• It’s a great opportunity to tap into your own psyche and express yourself as different characters.
• As photographers we’re usually behind the camera. When we do hand the camera over to a friend or family member so we can be in the shot, the image usually blows! (Not you, sweety, you take great photos.) It’s about time we had some nice photos of us for a change!
• Inappropriate touching of model usually won’t end in an expensive out of court settlement (this time).

Alright. I’ve convinced you. Now you probably want to know how to master the art of the self portrait: Step one? Take lots and lots of photos! This may seem obvious, but the first step to mastering anything is a thousand steps. So grab some props, set your camera to self timer, and get snappin’ bub.

Once you’ve loosened up a bit and you’re getting sick of looking at yourself, it’s time to start taking chances. Get crazy. Really push yourself. Go deep. Become someone else! Think up crazy ideas. You never have to show anyone these photographs, so what are you scared of? This is your chance to get to the next level creatively, artistically.

Sure, you can use self portrait sessions to practice lighting or camera technique. You can use them to test out ideas or concepts. But they can be much, much more. Just like photographs you take of others, you can use a self portrait to search the human soul. The fundamental difference is you actually have direct access to your own gooey insides. Do the work. Take the time to look deep inside and bring it out. If you aren’t exposing your own vulnerabilities, putting yourself at risk emotionally, what right do you have doing it to others? If you aren’t exposing yourself or others emotions in your work, then your photography must really suck. Ouch! Snap! How you like them apples?

Seriously, though, what better way to push your art than to take photos of your self and push. Right? Look, birds and frogs and caterpillars don’t take self portraits and they are terrible photographers. So if you don’t believe me, believe nature. Self portraits are both the fast track to becoming a better photographer and at the same time they are a life long practice in meditation and growth.

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