Self "Looking Glass" Portraits

Confession: I like having pictures of myself.

But I'm pretty hard to satisfy about it, too.  Since most of the candid pictures taken of me are ones with me being a complete mess--because I'm a crazy busy mama--I like to take my own (or commission Matt too).  

Self obsessed? 

Possibly.  But you know what?  There was a long time which I was not comfortable on how I looked.  From the beginning of my pregnancy with Isaac (Jan of 2006) till about the end of last summer (August 2011), I just wasn't happy with my looks. 

- My hair falls out after I have babies.  So lots of bald spots.

- I lose my body when expecting.  So no toned butt. 

- etc, etc, etc... blah, blah, blah... 

The important thing is that everything has come back together.  Hair in place, butt lifted.  Now that I feel pretty good, I'd at least like to document it!  

............

Okay, I had to take a picture of myself for a family competition in Matt's family.  

And that's how it all started... 

I held the camera in my hand, and took a picture of my reflection in a large mirror in my parents' foyer.

I really like the two light sources, natural light from a large bay window and warm light from a desk lamp.  

My first attempt looked like this:

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

That's when I decided to put my hair up, and lipstick on:

"Phew! Much better."

I had a lot of missteps.  Working with angles and reflections is difficult!  Also my arms started to ache.  I really didn't want the camera to show, so it took a bit of work to get it right:

"That's a nice picture of the couch, but where am I?"

    

And then I'd get the lamp, or a non-correct focus:

Alright, here are the ones I like.  There are a lot... er... that's okay, right? 

This is one of my favs, mainly cause Titus is stealing the show in the left corner.

............

Okay, so that's me!  I think everyone should take a self portrait.  It makes one think outside the box!  Picture taking, at least for me, stretches my mind--and makes me pretty frustrated, to tell the truth.  Always have chocolate on hand.