Becoming an Archetype: a 7 Day Self-Portrait Photography Challenge
Creating a Self-Portrait Challenge
As we edge our way through the year, checking things off our to-do lists and hitting our goals, we may run into roadblocks. Perhaps we lose motivation or something is not working the way we’d hoped. This is when we are in need of a quantum leap—-getting from where we are now, to our desired outcome without all the steps in between.
How do we do this? By embodying archetypes.
I propose that we use the art of self-portrait photography to embody the archetypes we need to become in order to achieve our goals.
Why I use self-portraits
Self-portraits have been a form of expression used by many artists throughout history. If there is a painter or a photographer whom you admire, you will likely be able to find at least one self-portrait in their body of work.
For artists, self-portraits are an excellent way to practice their craft. If resources are limited and it’s not possible to hire a model, using yourself is always free.
I love using self-portraiture as a way to work through difficult emotions and understand how I fit in with the rest of the world. When I am able to use my creative process to work with emotions or thoughts that are troubling me, I gain a better understanding of my internal world.
Creating self-portraits is a beautiful way to practice your skills and alchemize your emotions into art.
Throughout the process of crafting your self-portraits, you will recognize things about yourself that you didn't know before.
It becomes a back and forth conversation of understanding yourself, your desires, strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities.
Why self-portraits are powerful
Self-portraits allow you to be a mirror. When we awaken to a new possibility in our lives, we often see it first in another person. A part of us that has been hidden is about to emerge, but it first must be witnessed and experienced through another.
However, mirrors must be seen to reflect. So when you're willing to be seen, you're willing to let people see their own potential reflected in you.
Projecting our inner gold allows us the chance to transform the collective consciousness for the better.
Recognizing this inner gold will empower you to stand proudly in front of your business or your profile, whatever you represent, and feel confident. Your self-portrait can be your new profile or bio image or just a memento of a time in your life. ... and remind you of your magic power.
How self-portraiture can help us collapse timelines and quantum leap
First, we have to understand what a quantum leap is. Quantum leap really just means a great and sudden change. Quantum physics is the study that everything is made up of matter, you, me, and everything we know. We can influence that matter with energy and intention through repeated behaviors and habits.
This is where the self-portrait practice comes in handy. If there are particular goals or desires we want to accomplish in our lives we want to get to that endpoint more quickly--in a quantum leap.
In order to get from point A to point B, we want to imagine that point B is already happening, it already exists.
Dressing up as or considering the behaviors of an archetype we want to be in order to achieve the goals we want to reach, helps us get in the mindset of that archetype. As we begin to employ their behaviors and rituals, we end up achieving our goals before we know it.
The self-portraits act as a blueprint or a reminder of where we are headed→ casting a visual spell.
Creating a challenge
When learning any new concept, the best way to absorb the learning is through implementation. I wanted to create a challenge to take a self-portrait each day for 7 days in order to really allow these concepts to sink in and ultimately to allow myself to become the archetype I am calling upon to help me complete my goals.
Accountability is helpful though so I am inviting the community to come along with me and create their own self-portraits too.
Starting on April 30th, 2022, we will be embarking on a 7-day journey together and sharing our images along the way. If you would like to join us for this epic challenge and create an archetype of your own, sign up to join here:
My tips for excellent self-portraits
Locations:
Look for interesting architectural elements, colors, or textures that you like in your home to use as a backdrop. Try to find a spot near a window to take advantage of natural light. Natural light is the most effective in capturing accurate colors and beautiful skin tones, and it’s free!
Limits can sometimes help you develop your concept.
Give yourself a small space or perhaps just one room to work within when creating your portraits. The more limitations you give yourself when creating the images, the more your creativity will work to create something satisfactory.
Create a mood board and find inspiration for your shoot.
Use Pinterest, Canva, or good old-fashioned magazines to put together a moodboard for your shoot. Moodboards help you find inspiration and also begin to see themes across the images you chose. This will give you a more clear visual direction for your portraits and help you find props and clothing to go along with it.
Start with closer-up images
They are more engaging if you don’t have an inspiring space to work with (your face is beautiful and interesting). As you get more comfortable in front of the camera you can move further and further away, revealing more of your body and the environment behind you.
Let go of the fear of being silly.
Being creative is not a serious practice. It’s about using your mind and body to play. We are often our most difficult critics and remember that in order to be a mirror (showing others their inner gold), we have to allow ourselves to be seen. And that includes the silly and awkward parts too.
If it’s not working, try something else entirely.
If you don’t like the images, the environment, your outfit, whatever, drop it and change it. Don’t feel tied to a concept if it’s not working. Sometimes your end result is far different than you imagine it would be from the start. That’s the beauty of the creative process—-it’s all about the journey.
Equipment Needed for Self-Portraits
A phone with a camera or a DSLR Camera
A tripod or stack of books/ something heavy to prop up your camera with
A self-timer setting on your phone/ camera or a remote trigger
A good light source near a window or get creative with the lights in your house
A location you find interesting or easy to ignore depending on what you want the focus to be
Conclusion:
Making our big goals come to life can feel difficult sometimes, but we can use archetypes to help us along our way. You can become an archetype by imagining the kind of person or character who has already achieved what you want and begin to incorporate their habits and rituals into your life. Take a self-portrait as the archetype you are embodying and use this image as a blueprint or a visual reminder of who you are becoming to achieve your wildest dreams.
