SELF-REFLECTION

But here's the thing I had to learn: every artist I respect went through that. Years of it. You look at your work and you know it's missing that "thing." My first self-portrait, that blurry and poorly lit shot was a glaring reminder of how far I had to go.

Then here's where the 2025 portrait comes in. It's not just "better" but it's a product of the grind. The hours spent learning my gear, mastering Lightroom, and pushing myself to reshoot when "good enough" wasn't even close.  That creative shot with the red and blue lights and the sharp detail wasn't actually luck but it was earned.

So, let's get one thing straight: anyone who thinks self-portraiture is the "easy" route needs a reality check. It demands a level of self-awareness most people avoid. You're laying yourself bare but you're also in total control which is a powerful and vulnerable position to be in. The technical skill is crucial but it's the artistic vision, the sheer guts it takes to present yourself is what mostly truly matters. We don't have to underestimate that.

Now, where does that leave me? Still grinding. Still chasing that vision. Currently I’m also drawn to the ethereal, the mythical, that raw connection with nature you see in artists like Aurora Aksnes, but in a self-portrait. Floating in a river is the kind of ambition that keeps me up at night and I know it'll take time, probably longer than I want. But like that quote I know says, you just have to fight your way through. Put in the work. Close that gap. And that's exactly what I intend to do.

To avoid any misunderstanding, if you’ve seen my 2021 self-portrait and thought, “Hey, that’s not so bad,” I appreciate that, really. But when I reflect on it with a critical eye, I’m not saying others at that level aren’t doing good work. I’m speaking about my progress, my standards, and where I know I can go and it’s never about judging anyone else. I’m challenging myself not because I think I’m better than someone, but because I believe I can be better than I was. And I hope you feel the same way pushing ourselves to grow, to evolve, to keep reaching. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to close that gap between what we see in our minds and what we create. And that’s something worth striving for... together.

 If you have any feedback whether advice for improvement, positive or constructive comments on my writing, or insights on my photography, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out by clicking through any of the following.