The 52-Week Self Portrait – Photo Project – WEEK 3
Week 3: Is He Here Yet? I recall being a little girl and looking out the window waiting for my father to arrive home from work. He always would bring home some snacks or something yummy to eat. When I finally saw him, my face would light up! Today, I have that same expectancy of my heavenly Father. I’m daily looking to see what good things He’s bringing home to me. God loves us all and He wants to continually give us good and not evil; He wants us to have beautiful things to enjoy and not ugly things that cause destruction in our lives. If you’re facing anything bad today, know that it’s not from God. However, you can count on Him to turn what the enemy meant for your harm into something good for you! For this photo, I went to an upstairs room in my parent’s house. It was taken at about 5 pm in Michigan, which is when it starts to get dark in the wintertime. The light was beginning to fade, but finally my dad arrive home and I was able to look out the window and snap the shot of myself (using a 2 second timer) just in time. I took a lot of practice shots before, but I had to keep changing the settings because the light kept changing. It’s kind of out of focus, but it was a smile for my daddy!
The 52-Week Self Portrait – Photo Project – WEEK 2
Week 2: Possibilities With 51 weeks to go, the possibilities are endless when it comes to ways to photograph myself. Yet for my second shot, I decided to go back to the location of the first shot to see if I could achieve another look using a different viewpoint. My tripod wasn’t tall enough to capture the shot from the angle I wanted; it would only allow me to see eye-to-eye with the camera. To overcome this obstacle, I hung my camera off of the hook on the door from a shortened strap. This reminds me that in life, you can look at a situation eye-to-eye or you can make the adjustment to get above the situation. It took some work to shorten my strap and to get the camera to remain steady enough for the shots, but I finally got it right where I wanted it. When you adjust by rising above the situations you face, even though it may be difficult, the better perspective will cause you to see that you’re stronger than those obstacles. All things are possible to him who believes! http://www.aminacameron.com/2012/01/the-52-week-self-portrait-photo-project-intro/ (Click the link above to read the Intro to my 52-Week Self Portrait Photo Project. It explains why I’m doing this.)
The 52-Week Self Portrait – Photo Project – WEEK 1
Week 1: Reflection Who are you? What makes you, you? Who makes you, you? As I reflect on who I am, the first thing that comes to mind is that I’m a child of God Almighty! Jesus is Lord of my life and I’ve chosen to live my life for Him in the best way that I know how. Thank God His Word tells us how! Knowing Whose I am, gives me the freedom to express who He created me to be. It hasn’t always been this way in my life. But the more I’ve learned about what God wants for my life, the less I’ve accepted what life has just thrown my way. It’s not the circumstances that make us who we are, it’s who we identify with that does. In my case, I recognize that my identity is in Christ. This first self-portrait is not only a reflection of who I am, but it also shares a little about me.
The 52-Week Self Portrait – Photo Project – INTRO
Many photographers do photo projects to enhance their skill level. It’s a great way to consistently shoot pictures, and you know the common saying… “Practice makes perfect!” I’ve decided to take on a photo project that will both enhance my skill level and my awareness of the beautiful, unique, creative person that God has created me to be. I know this may sound conceited, but please hear me out. My overall purpose of doing this “Self-Portrait” photo project isn’t just about me. My prayer is that over the next 52 weeks, as you view these pictures and read my blog, you’ll begin to develop an awareness of your God-given beauty and uniqueness. It’s possible that something written on this site may spark something in you leading you to celebrate your uniqueness even more. Perhaps something in one of the photographs may remind you of how important you really are. Or maybe…just maybe, these pictures will encourage you to find a way to live out a goal or even a dream that has to this point only lived in your heart. I hope you’ll join me on this journey over the next 52 weeks. I’m glad to also mention that a few photographers that I know are also doing photo projects of their own, here are links to their blogs: Simi – http://bit.ly/AA25u8 (52 week photo project) Saadia – http://saadiamechelphotography.com (52 week photo project) Darcie – http://darciensutherlandphotography (360 day project) Monica – http://monicasimonephotography.com (365 day photo project)
Hakuna Matata…Means No Worries!
“And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” Matthew 6:27, 31-33 Thank you Lion King for the catchy tune to remind us of how we all should live. On October 15, 2011, I had the opportunity to photograph Alysia Johnson for a special birthday portrait session! When I interviewed her before the shoot, I learned that she wanted to have pictures to look back on in order to have a record of where she was at this stage of life. I asked her about her life philosophy right now and she said simply, “Hakuna Matata…choose joy!” I must admit, I have never actually seen the Lion King from start to finish. I couldn’t tell you the plot of this now classic Disney movie, nor (aside from Simba and Mufasa) could I tell you the names of all of the stars (animated or otherwise) of the movie. However, I’ve heard the song several times and in my mind played the words “Hakuna Matata, it means no worries…” as she spoke. What a great way to live life. Worry bogs down. Joy lifts up! As we enter the last two months of 2011, allow the words Hakuna Matata to ring in your hearts. With God, nothing shall be impossible and you don’t have to worry about a thing. EVERYTHING is going to be all right! Choose Joy! Here are some of my favorite shots from the session. Enjoy! All photographs are copyright of AmCam Photography 2011