For this project, I’m tasked with capturing two portrait shots: one headshot and one candid. The headshot should clearly show my face, while the candid shot allows me to express more freedom and emotion. Both photos must be recognizable and captured with a twist. I'm not allowed to have someone take the picture for me so I used a tripod with a trigger button to make it easier.

Unfiltered day

It was a pretty random day, nothing particularly special but the sunlight had this unique, golden glow that made everything feel a little warmer and softer. I was out at a coffee shop just a few houses down from home, enjoying a quiet moment, when I noticed how perfectly the light was hitting. It felt like the right time to take a headshot for this project. I went back home, grabbed my tripod, and set up my iPhone 13 Pro Max in portrait mode to make the most of the lighting.

Capturing a photo by yourself sounds easy when you have a trigger button, but it’s honestly no joke. It took a few tries to get the framing and timing right. There was no glam or prep involved—just me, no makeup, only some lip balm, enjoying a simple day. Sometimes the most authentic photos come from moments like that, when things aren’t staged or overthought. This photo feels like a little snapshot of real life, and I’m glad I caught it.

Camera Set-up

Fortunately, the tri-pod I have at home has a shutter button you can just connect to your phone. It made the proccess less challenging rather than using the timer of the phone

Camera Setting

For this shot, I used ISO 200, f/2.8, and a shutter speed of 1/121s. The ISO gave me a clean image with minimal noise, while the f/2.8 aperture created a nice depth of field that softly blurred the background. The shutter speed of 1/121s was just right to keep the image sharp while capturing the natural light without motion blur.

At first, I underestimated this project. I thought taking a simple headshot would be quick and easy, especially since I had a trigger button to help. But I quickly realized how challenging it actually was. From finding the right light, setting up the tripod, to capturing the right expression without anyone behind the camera, it took much more patience and trial-and-error than I expected.

I chose to crop it in a 4:3 orientation, which helped frame the subject more naturally and gave the photo a balanced, classic look. This aspect ratio allowed me to focus more on the environment and composition, making the image feel grounded and intimate without feeling too wide or too cropped. In the end, the challenge taught me that even the simplest photos take intention and sometimes, a bit of struggle to get right.

Between sips

I saw a calm and intentional moment. The lighting fell just right on my face, softening the background and giving the image a warm, natural feel. I shot it in a 4:3 orientation, which really helped frame the scene in a way that felt balanced and personal. It gave enough space around me to show the environment, but still kept the focus where I wanted it. Even though it’s a simple portrait, it captures a piece of my everyday life that feels real and unfiltered.

As I entered the local coffee shop here , I bought a coffee and noticed a beautiful design on the glass inside the shop. It instantly intrigued me. The way the light played off the glass sparked an idea, and I started visualizing something for my candid shot. I knew then that I wanted it to express the love I have for coffee as it's something that's been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by the coffee industry. My dad worked at Starbucks for a really long time, and I definitely took advantage of that—from the free drinks to the casual lessons I absorbed along the way. As I got older, I ended up working as a barista at a local coffee shop, and that experience made me fall in love with coffee even more. It became more than just a drink. It became a part of my daily rhythm, my work, and even my creative inspiration.

Camera Set-up

I used the same tri-pod for the headshot but I had a chair to put it on. It made the process a little easier compared to the first one but made my angles limited due to the space available.

Camera Setting

I took this using the Portrait mode of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, with camera settings set to ISO 200, f/2.8 aperture, and a shutter speed of 1/120 second. The low ISO helps maintain the image clarity with minimal noise, while the wide aperture provides a shallow depth of field for a pleasing background blur. The shutter speed ensures a sharp and steady capture, making it well-suited for portrait photography.

At first, I honestly underestimated this activity. I thought it was going to be quick and easy, just set up the camera, pose, and be done in a few minutes. But I ended up staying there for almost an hour, trying to get the shot I actually wanted. It was a lot harder than I expected, especially because I couldn't rely on anyone else to take the photo for me. That limitation alone added a huge challenge. After every shot, I had to go back, check the camera, adjust the angle, fix my pose, and try again. It was a repetitive process that really tested my patience.

Creativity didn’t come naturally either. I struggled to think of concepts that would make the photos interesting, especially with the candid one. So instead of forcing an idea, I just went with whatever was happening around me that day. I played with the lighting, the mood, and the setting, and tried to make something meaningful out of it. That part actually helped me reflect on how creativity doesn't always have to be planned but rather, it can come from simply observing and working with what's available.

In the end, I learned that self-portraiture isn't just about technical skill; it's also about problem-solving, patience, and adapting to the moment. It was frustrating at times, but finishing the task felt rewarding. It reminded me that even simple-looking tasks can become complex when you’re the one behind and in front of the camera.