Focus On Life - Week 1 - Self Portrait

Once upon a time, I wanted to be a photographer. Go on, click on that link and see where it takes you, but come back soon!

So, right, I wanted to be a photographer. I used to carry a camera in my purse all the time, and I clicked pictures of things that looked interesting to me...all the time. To the point to embarrassment and irritation to those accompanying me. I loved it, but at some point, I stopped. I still carry my camera, but things don't jump out at me, shouting, "click me!" like they used to. I enjoyed it so much, that when Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime came up with this idea of a photo a week to pretty much document my life, I knew it was meant to bring me back that joy of being trigger happy :-)

I have seen these teams a lot in the past...take a picture everyday, or once a week or something like that. And I never felt like joining them. And not sure what urged me to join this time, but I did!

There will be a post every Saturday with a prompt that Sally provides. We will have one week to click and write about it.

 

The first prompt of the year is "Self-Portrait".
I think it is very appropriate for the beginning of a new year, you take a good look at yourself, who you are, what you like, what you would like to change...you get the idea.
But I was not thrilled with the prompt :(( Unlike most of the folks in this challenge whose posts I have read so far, I LOVE being in front of the camera, I am a poser, for sure. But self-portrait reminded me of those pics taken with one arm extended, a few things cut off. While I am do not like the posed, propped, photo-shopped perfect photos of people, I don't like this other extreme as well.
So I was going to skip on this one. Sally did say it was ok to skip.

But yesterday evening, I happened to see my little (she's actually quite big) Raggedy Ann sitting in her (mine, actually) chair. And I knew I could do this!

Here's my self-portrait!

 

I know, an explanation is in order. I am totally this person! Not Barbie perfect, my hair tends to get wild, I am at heart, NOT a dress-to-impress person, would love some mischief just like you see in her eyes, and always quick to smile. My arms are also always wide open, embracing new ideas and new people. 

Now the other thing about this picture...she is bogged down with things. Clothes, books, printouts that come home for some long forgotten reason, an unfinished scarf hanging on her chair, there was a pair of sunglasses on her lap a couple days back, socks, headbands and scrunchies, laptop, and now an iPhone, and in general, things that have no home in particular. Most days, I cannot see her face because she is under a mountain of discarded clothes.

Ok, the laptop and phone never go there, but you get the idea. I am a clutterbug!

And I need to change that. My "word" for this year is "discipline". And I hope, as the year progresses, I will see ALL of my darling Annie everyday :-)