ME, MYSELF &
SELF-PORTRAITURE

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SELF-PORTRAITURE

Self-portraiture is a powerful tool for photographers to elevate their personal brand and artistic expression. Yet, it’s also one of the most difficult, cringeworthy, gut-wrenching, and time-consuming things ever. Nothing will humble you more than putting yourself in front of the camera. It’s a journey into self-discovery, magnifying every insecurity and awkwardness you might experience as a photographer. It’s like stepping into your client’s shoes, feeling the discomfort and uncertainty firsthand.

When I first started learning photography, my camera didn’t have an app that showed me my camera’s live view. The initial attempts at taking self-portraits involved using the camera’s self-timer and running into position, only to find everything out of focus or that I didn’t run fast enough. It was a challenge! Eventually, I figured out how to time myself and focus the camera by placing a light stand where I was going to stand, setting my camera to manual focus, and praying to all the photography gods that the pictures would come out in focus.

Next, I got a cheap trigger remote that worked whenever it felt like it and made me practice cussing in many, many languages. After that, I invested in a much better remote that allowed me to shoot more than one picture at a time. Things started getting better and easier, but that’s just talking about the technical part of triggering the camera.

Then comes the lighting. It’s easier to see how the light falls on your subject’s face when you’re behind the camera, but if you’re the photographer and the model, you’re facing a new challenge. I had to watch a lot of videos just to get the basics of light positioning and power to have a starting point. It’s all experimentation, a lot of failing, and a lot more of keeping trying.

Finally, there’s posing. I thought I was graceful until I tried to pose for my first set of self-portraits. Then I realized my posing coordination is as good as my sports coordination—none! Zero, NADA! But even with all that, I still fell in love with the excruciating experience of learning photography, lighting, and posing through self-portraiture, and this is why:

  • I had all the time for myself, no rush. I wanted to learn so I took the time necessary to do so.
  • I could try endless amounts of times without making anyone uncomfortable but myself. I usually torture myself enough with self-sabotage, self-judging, and badmouthing on a daily basis, so this is just another day in the park!
  • I had to see, accept, and be ok with my flaws; after all, this was all about the art and not my body dysmorphia and big insecurities.
  • Since this project was for myself in every possible way I could shoot whatever I wanted and not have to convince anyone to be on board with my ideas and approve my vision.
  • It felt a lot like freedom!
  • Whenever I had a chance, I would lock myself in my garage and spend hours and hours playing. I felt happiness and freedom I had never felt before, and I learned so much about my craft and about myself.
 

 

This is a collection of self-portraits from 2013 – 2015. Most were part of a 365 Self Portrait Project I did in 2015.

Through life’s ups and downs, I have always found myself through photography, especially self-portraiture. There is a magical state of flow I experience when I am taking self-portraits. Time stops, worries disappear, the pain subsides, and nothing else matters. It is only me and my craft. But to get to that state of flow, I must first get through a lot of discomfort. I have to let go of self-judgment. Once I get myself out of the way, magic happens. The art becomes so mine nothing else matters, even if people like it or not. 

Self Portraiture contributed immensely to developing my photography style. Through the years I experimented with different photography styles and genres to learn and find my voice as a photographer. Throughout those years, I experienced a lot of heavy circumstances in my life, and I used self-portraiture as a cathartic exercise to express, navigate, and heal my emotions. During my hardest days, when life got really lifey I created dark and moody self-portraits. The tones and the storytelling elements of each one of those images reflected what I was going through at the moment, but as time passed, and I found myself desperately looking for joy. I started incorporating more color and playful elements in my photography. All that made a huge impact on my mood in every step of the photography process, from planning to executing to retouching. I quickly fell in love with the joy these photography projects were bringing to my life and I adopted it as my photography style, which I call “Dopamine Photography”

Circa 2016, when I was in deep grief after the death of my fiance and the father of my daughter. These were incredibly hard to shoot, but they were also so cathartic. 

Having great self-portraits can significantly help photographers stand out and market themselves effectively. Here’s how:

Showcase Your Skills

  • Demonstrate Your Expertise: High-quality self-portraits serve as a live portfolio, showcasing your technical skills in lighting, composition, and post-processing.
  • Unique Style: They reflect your unique style and creative vision, helping potential clients understand what makes your work distinct.

Build Personal Branding

  • Professional Image: Self-portraits create a professional image, making your brand more relatable and trustworthy.
  • Consistency: Consistent self-portraits across your marketing materials and social media profiles build a cohesive brand identity.

Engage with Your Audience

  • Connection: People connect more with faces. Showing your face helps build a personal connection with your audience.
  • Storytelling: Self-portraits can tell your story, allowing you to share personal experiences and insights, making your brand more engaging.

Marketing Versatility

  • Social Media Content: High-quality self-portraits provide you with versatile content for your social media platforms, blog, and website.
  • PR and Media: Professional self-portraits can be used in press releases, interviews, and other media opportunities, ensuring you present yourself well.

Increase Visibility

  • Search Optimization: Having a recognizable face associated with your brand can improve search engine visibility, especially if your name and image are consistent across platforms.
  • Networking: Great self-portraits make you memorable at networking events, both online and offline, helping you stand out from the crowd.

Inspire Confidence

  • Client Trust: Clients are more likely to trust and hire a photographer who presents themselves professionally. High-quality self-portraits can convey confidence and competence.
  • Authority: They position you as an authority in your field, showing that you take your craft seriously.

Creative Freedom

  • Experimentation: Self-portraits give you the freedom to experiment with new techniques, styles, and concepts, which can then be applied to client work.
  • Artistic Expression: They allow you to express your personal vision and creativity, setting you apart from other photographers.

By incorporating great self-portraits into your marketing strategy, you can effectively highlight your skills, build a strong personal brand, and connect more deeply with your audience, ultimately helping you stand out in the competitive field of photography.

After years of battling grief and depression, in 2017 I began creating vibrant and playful self-portraits. From the moment I started planning them, through the shooting and retouching process, to ultimately sharing them with my audience, these images brought immense joy to my life. I loved how these pictures infused a splash of dopamine and serotonin into my days. This newfound happiness inspired me to continue creating images that uplift my mood and bring the same positive effect to others who see them.

Back in early 2019, a few months after the Nikon Z7 was released, I was introduced to this incredible camera and instantly fell in love with it. The mirrorless system, its weight, and every aspect of the Nikon Z7 captivated me, turning me into a Nikon aficionado. I’m now proud to be one of Nikon USA’s Ambassadors. One of the most amazing features I discovered when I started working with the Nikon Z7 was the ability to use my phone to control the camera. The Nikon Bridge app has become an essential part of my workflow, especially when taking self-portraits. It has made my life so much easier and continues to improve over time. Below, I’ll show you what my workflow looks like when I’m taking self-portraits.

THE GEAR

Your camera needs to be mounted on a tripod or a stable surface. To trigger it, use a remote control, your phone, iPad, or computer. Alternatively, you can use your camera’s self-timer and quickly move into position for each shot

THE WORKFLOW

I use Nikon SnapBridge app on my Iphone or Ipad to trigger my Nikon Z8. My favorite thing about using the app for my self portrait-portraits is the Live View feature, which allows me to see what my camera sees on my iPhone or iPad’s screen. That way, I can make sure that my light, composition, focus, and poses are on point! An alternative to using your camera manufacturer’s app is using a tethering cable and using your favorite software, such as Nikon NX Studio, Lightroom, CaptureOne , SmartShooter, etc., to tether your camera to your computer. Then you need to set up the self-timer so you have time to get positioned and pose.You can usually chose between 3 seconds, 5 seconds and 10 seconds timer.

Another clever way to shoot self-portraits is to set your camera to Interval Shooting. You can choose how many frames you would like your camera to take and the time between each picture. If you are shooting with a relatively new camera, face and eye recognition technology has your back. If your camera doesn’t have this feature, things can get a little bit more complicated. Place a light stand in the spot where you will be standing, lock the focus on the stand, set your camera to manual focus and hope for the best!

Nowadays, thanks to autofocus, face detection and eye detection technology, shooting self-portraits is so easy!

Planning is an essential component in executing a successful photography project. It provides clarity and direction, ensuring that every aspect of the shoot is meticulously thought out. By investing time in the planning stage, you lay the foundation for a smooth and productive shoot. This preparation includes creating detailed mood boards, developing a comprehensive photography treatment, and utilizing tools like Adobe Colors to craft a cohesive color palette that enhances the overall aesthetic. Through meticulous planning, you not only streamline the workflow but also elevate the quality of the final images, ultimately leading to a successful and impactful photography project. My self-portrait workflow is almost the same as that of my clients. I first come up with a few ideas and I create a moodboard. When I’m set on the concept, I start developing the color palette.  I pick the background, props, and wardrobe I’ll be using, making sure the colors play well together. While building the set, I make sure to have my camera set up on a tripod to see how the set looks on the frame, and I make sure my composition is on point. The next step is lighting. When I have everything where I want it to be, I start experimenting with light, seeing how I can contribute to the story with the light. Once I have everything ready to go I get myself ready! The last thing you want is to sweat and move things around after you do your hair and makeup and get a cool or weird outfit on. (I’ve been there, done that, it wasn’t fun!)

Then, it is just a matter of finding your flow. Music does magic for me! Put together a fun playlist, and make sure to play it every time you get in front of the camera. I always start by taking pictures using the Nikon Snapbridge app on my phone or iPad using the live view feature, so I have a better sense of how everything looks, including myself! After I’m happy with how everything looks in the frame,  I move to the interval shooting feature on my camera. This allows me to have a better posing flow that looks more candid than shooting one picture by one picture with my phone app. I usually set my camera to shoot a picture every 1.5 to 2 seconds. That way, I’m giving my strobes enough time to recycle, and I have enough time to change poses between frames. I set my camera to shoot about 35 to 50 pictures in one go. I know it sounds like a lot but I want to make sure I have enough to choose… One of them HAS to look good, right? Here are a few Behind The Scenes videos of self-portraits I’ve taken before:  Film Noir Self- Portrait , Smoky Self- Portrait ,  Birthday Self-Portrait , Blue Self- Portrait , Nut Cracker Self-Portrait ,White Self-Portrait .

 

Here are some ideas and uses of self-portraits for different types of photographers:

Landscape Photographers

  • Contextual Presence: Take self-portraits in stunning locations to show scale and context, highlighting your ability to find and capture breathtaking landscapes.
  • Behind-the-Scenes: Showcase your gear and setup in beautiful locations, providing a behind-the-scenes look at your process.
  • Adventure Lifestyle: Emphasize your adventurous spirit by capturing self-portraits during hikes, climbs, or while setting up a shot in a remote location.
 

Architecture Photographers

  • Urban Explorer: Capture yourself in front of iconic buildings or interesting architectural details, showing your passion for exploring and documenting urban environments.
  • Perspective Play: Use reflections, shadows, and unique angles to incorporate yourself creatively within architectural elements, demonstrating your artistic eye.
  • Professionalism: Present yourself in a professional setting, such as working on a project, to convey your dedication and expertise in capturing architectural beauty.
 

 Fashion Photographers

  • Fashion Forward: Showcase your style and fashion sense through self-portraits, aligning your personal brand with the fashion industry.
  • Collaborations: Take self-portraits with models, designers, or during fashion shoots to highlight your collaborative nature and networking within the industry.
  • Studio Setup: Demonstrate your lighting and studio setup in self-portraits, providing insights into your creative process and technical skills.
 

 Wildlife Photographers

  • In the Field: Capture self-portraits while in action, such as setting up a shot, observing wildlife, or camouflaged in nature, to showcase your dedication and passion for wildlife photography.
  • Conservation Message: Use self-portraits to promote wildlife conservation, showing yourself in habitats you’re passionate about protecting.
  • Equipment Highlight: Feature your gear and the challenges of shooting in the wild, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the effort and commitment required for wildlife photography.
 

 Portrait Photographers

  • Creative Concepts: Experiment with lighting, props, and themes in your self-portraits, demonstrating your versatility and creativity in portrait photography.
  • Personal Branding: Show different facets of your personality through various self-portraits, helping clients connect with you on a personal level.
  • Technique Showcase: Use self-portraits to illustrate specific techniques or styles you excel in, like lighting and posing style, retouching etc.
 

 Street Photographers

  • Candid Moments: Capture yourself in dynamic urban environments, interacting with the street scene to show your ability to blend into and capture the essence of the street.
  • Cultural Engagement: Highlight your engagement with diverse cultures and communities, emphasizing your passion for capturing human stories.
  • Documentary Style: Use self-portraits to tell your story as a street photographer, documenting your journey and the stories behind your photos.
 

 Food Photographers

  • Creative Setup: Show yourself styling and arranging food, highlighting the artistry and attention to detail in your work.
  • Culinary Passion: Capture self-portraits enjoying food or in culinary settings, emphasizing your passion for food photography.
  • Process Insights: Provide a behind-the-scenes look at your process, from preparation to the final shot, showcasing your workflow and creativity.
 

 Product Photographers

  • Professional Environment: Present yourself in a studio setting, working with products, to convey your professional approach and technical skills.
  • Brand Collaborations: Feature self-portraits with branded products you’ve photographed, highlighting your collaborations and successful projects.
  • Detailed Work: Show close-ups of your hands arranging products or setting up shots, emphasizing the meticulous attention to detail in product photography.
 

Concert Photographers

  • Live Energy: Capture yourself in the crowd or near the stage, showcasing the energy and atmosphere of live concerts.
  • Backstage Access: Take self-portraits with artists backstage or during sound checks to highlight your exclusive access and connections in the music industry.
  • Gear in Action: Show yourself with your camera gear in a concert setting, emphasizing your readiness to capture fast-paced, dynamic moments.
 

Sports Photographers

  • In the Action: Capture self-portraits at sporting events, preferably while shooting or with athletes, to convey your involvement and passion for sports.
  • Training Sessions: Take self-portraits during athletes’ training sessions or pre-game preparations to highlight the behind-the-scenes aspect of sports photography.
  • Dynamic Movement: Use creative techniques to capture yourself in motion, paralleling the dynamic nature of sports photography.
 

Family Photographers

  • Family Atmosphere: Capture warm, inviting self-portraits in family-like settings, showcasing your ability to create a comfortable environment for family shoots.
  • Interaction with Kids: Show yourself interacting with children, emphasizing your ability to connect with and capture the essence of family moments.
  • Outdoor Fun: Take self-portraits in outdoor family-friendly locations, demonstrating your versatility in different settings and your playful, approachable nature.
 

Newborn Photographers

  • Gentle Interaction: Capture self-portraits holding or soothing a newborn, emphasizing your gentle touch and ability to handle delicate subjects.
  • Setup and Props: Show yourself setting up props and backdrops, providing a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process.
  • Family Involvement: Take self-portraits with the whole family, demonstrating your approach to inclusive and heartfelt newborn sessions.
 

Pet Photographers

  • Animal Interaction: Capture self-portraits interacting with pets, highlighting your rapport and ease with animals.
  • Playful Moments: Show yourself in playful or candid moments with pets, emphasizing the fun and spontaneity of pet photography.
  • Studio Setup: Take self-portraits in your studio or on location with pet-friendly props and setups, showcasing your preparation and creativity.
 

 Travel Photographers

  • Global Presence: Capture self-portraits in diverse locations, showcasing your travel experiences and global reach.
  • Cultural Immersion: Take self-portraits with locals or engaging in cultural activities, highlighting your ability to connect with and document different cultures.
  • Adventurous Spirit: Show yourself in adventurous scenarios (e.g., hiking, exploring remote areas) to convey your adventurous spirit and dedication to capturing unique travel moments.

Additional Insights on Self-Portraiture

Overcoming Self-Consciousness:
Self-portraiture forces you to confront and overcome your insecurities. It’s a journey of self-discovery where you learn to accept and embrace your flaws. By repeatedly putting yourself in front of the camera, you build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of your own self-image. This process can be incredibly therapeutic and empowering, helping you grow not only as a photographer but as an individual.

Technical Mastery:
Self-portraiture is a playground for technical experimentation. From mastering your camera to perfecting lighting setups, it demands a comprehensive understanding of your equipment and techniques. It’s an opportunity to push the boundaries of your skills, trying out different camera settings, lenses, and lighting conditions. This hands-on practice hones your technical prowess, making you more adept at handling various photographic challenges.

Creative Control:
When you’re both the photographer and the model, you have complete creative control. You can experiment with different poses, expressions, and compositions without any external pressure. This freedom allows you to explore unconventional ideas and push your creative limits. Self-portraits can be as imaginative and avant-garde as you want them to be, giving you the space to express your unique artistic vision.

Personal Growth:
Self-portraiture can be a reflective and meditative practice. It provides a space to explore and document your personal growth, emotions, and experiences over time. Each self-portrait session becomes a visual diary, capturing different stages of your life and artistic journey. This personal introspection can lead to profound insights and a deeper connection with your work.


Self-portraiture is a multifaceted endeavor that challenges and enriches you in countless ways. It’s a demanding yet immensely rewarding practice that pushes you out of your comfort zone and fosters significant personal and professional growth. Through self-portraiture, you not only refine your technical skills and creative vision but also embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The process is fraught with challenges—technical glitches, awkward poses, and bouts of self-doubt—but each hurdle you overcome brings a new level of mastery and confidence.

In essence, self-portraiture is about more than just capturing your image; it’s about telling your story, expressing your emotions, and exploring your identity. It’s a testament to your dedication and passion for photography, showcasing your ability to create compelling art even when the subject is yourself. So, embrace the discomfort, relish the freedom, and let self-portraiture be a powerful tool for both artistic expression and personal growth.

One Response

  1. I’m so inspired by your self portraiture, Gilmar! I agree it can be so healing and freeing and I need to carve out time to do some again. This has my wheels turning. Thank you for sharing!

Hi, I'm Gilmar (hil-marr)

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