Introduction

For this photography exercise, we were tasked to produce two self-portraits — one headshot and one freestyle photo. At first glance, it seemed like a simple assignment. After all, how hard could it be to take a photo of yourself? But once I got into the planning and execution, I realized it involved a lot more than just standing in front of a camera and clicking the shutter.

Self-portrait photography forces you to wear multiple hats at once: photographer, creative director,  subject, and editor. Every little detail needs to be carefully thought through because no one else is behind the camera to assist you.

As someone who is used to photographing landscapes, events, or other people, turning the camera onto myself was unfamiliar. There’s a different level of vulnerability when you’re both the observer and the observed. Through this experience, I realized that self-portraits aren’t about chasing perfection; they’re about capturing realness — the quiet confidence, the hidden awkwardness, and everything in between.

Overall, the task made me appreciate not just the technical work photographers put in, but also the courage it sometimes takes to show up fully in front of your own lens.

Equipment Used

• Nikon Z30

• Nikkor DX 18-140mm/3.5-6.3

• Tripod

• Natural Sunset

• Indoor Ambient light with natural reflections

• Adobe Lightroom

Headshot: Capturing the Golden Hour

For the headshot, I wanted to harness the natural beauty of the golden hour — that fleeting time just before sunset when the light becomes softer, warmer, and more flattering. I checked the sunset schedule ahead of time so I could set up properly without rushing.

As the sky started to shift colors, I quickly moved into action: grabbed a chair, positioned it on the balcony, and brought out my camera and tripod. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time, so I took several test shots right away to tweak my settings — adjusting ISO for brightness, aperture for sharpness, and shutter speed for motion control.

Initially, I thought I found the perfect angle, but after a few shots, I noticed that the background was a bit dull. That’s when I decided to switch to the opposite side of the balcony to capture more of the glowing sky, even if it meant adjusting all my settings again from scratch. It was a bit chaotic — racing against the setting sun — but also exhilarating.

Finally, after a few more tries, I captured an image that truly resonated with me. The natural bokeh gave it a dreamy, artistic quality, while the soft sunlight framed my face with a gentle warmth I couldn’t have achieved artificially. It wasn’t just a technical success; it felt emotionally satisfying, too.

Post-Processing

Since the goal was to keep my face visible without losing the magic of the golden hour, I made only minor edits in Lightroom. I lifted some shadows to bring out the facial features, adjusted the highlights slightly to maintain a soft look, and fine-tuned the white balance to preserve that golden tone.

I also added a subtle depth of field to give the photo a little more separation between me and the background — enhancing the natural softness while keeping the focus sharp where it mattered most.

Freestyle: Through My Own Lens

After finishing the headshot session outside, I transitioned indoors for the freestyle portrait. Originally, I thought of doing a classic mirror reflection photo — you know, the kind where you catch your own reflection holding the camera. But once I tried setting it up, I realized it wasn’t coming out the way I envisioned. It felt forced and unnatural.

I decided to simplify things. I sat on my bed, facing a large mirror with my camera set up in front of me. It wasn’t a grand or overly stylized setup — just me, relaxed, in my own space. I spent time readjusting the camera settings again to accommodate indoor lighting, which was much warmer and softer compared to the outdoor setup.

When I first reviewed the freestyle photos, I wasn’t satisfied. They didn’t feel “real” enough — too posed, too stiff. So I took a few more, changing angles and expressions until I found one that genuinely captured how I felt: a little tired, a little proud, but very much present.

This photo felt special because it wasn’t just about taking a good picture — it was about showing a side of myself that’s usually hidden. It’s a reminder that even photographers, who often stay behind the scenes, deserve to be part of the frame sometimes.

Post-Processing

Since the lighting in my unit leaned warm, I adjusted the contrast and played with the shadows to balance out the color tones. I also added a bit of depth of field to focus tightly on myself and softly blur the background — which, as a bonus, helped hide the natural messiness of the room. 😂

The edits were minimal but intentional. I didn’t want to over-process the photo. I just wanted it to feel genuine — like a quiet moment captured honestly.

Reflection

This activity taught me a lot more than I expected. On the surface, it seemed like a basic photography challenge. But in reality, it became a lesson in creativity, adaptability, patience, and self-acceptance.

Between planning the concept, setting up the scene, doing multiple test shots, and redoing both the headshot and the freestyle, the entire process took several hours. Post-processing added another layer of work — not just editing the images, but making sure the emotion and storytelling stayed intact without going overboard.

It also made me realize something important: photographers are often invisible in their own work. We are the ones behind the camera, helping others tell their stories. But activities like this remind me that sometimes, we also need to turn the lens inward — to tell our own story, to capture our own moments, and to remember that being present on both sides of the camera is just as meaningful.

In the end, this self-portrait exercise wasn’t just about creating photos for an assignment. It was about connecting with myself, embracing imperfections, and discovering the quiet beauty that can only come from seeing yourself through your own eyes.