1. Was there ever a time when you couldn't imagine taking self-portraits or have you always been comfortable in front of the camera? Do you remember when the self-portrait "bug" bit you?
It’s funny because when I was a kid I was always the one jumping in front of the camera. But as I grew older I became quite a bit less comfortable having my picture taken. Even now I’m usually the person with my eyes closed and some weird camera smile going on. However as a photographer, it’s kind of inevitable that at some point you’ll want to turn the camera on yourself to see what will happen. But for a long time I felt self conscious to say the least.
I started the group Me Again Monday to help myself move past this stage because I really saw the potential of what you could do with self-portraits and I wanted to challenge myself to keep working on it at least once a week. I would say the self-portrait bug really bit me when I finally started treating myself simply as a prop, in service to the photo and its mood or story. After breaking that barrier, self-portraits became 1000 times more interesting and fun.
2. Many of your self-portraits really tell the viewer a story. How much planning goes in to your shots--the setting, your clothing, your hair, etc? Where does your inspiration come from?
Or another time I wanted to do some shots depicting “Ophelia" as you can find in pre-Raphaelite paintings. One day I was at a thrift store and found the perfect dress for it. The great thing about photography is that the dress I’m wearing in this shot below is about 2 sizes two small, so it doesn’t actually zip up in the back…so I had to be facing the camera in some way.
And for this next shot I didn’t have an idea but decided to just throw a bunch of props in the back of the car and drive around until a location struck me. Then I noticed there was this wind….
3. Do you have a favorite self-portrait or series of self-portraits?
4. Do you feel that you have discovered anything new about yourself through your self-portraiture?
5. What advice do you have for someone who is just beginning their journey into self-portraiture?
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Patty Maher lives near Toronto, Canada, not far from the forest which provides the magical backdrop to many of her exquisite self-portraits. You can see more of Patty and her work in her flickr stream and on facebook.
Thank you Patty for agreeing to be the subject of my first interview at {In The Picture}! I have been enamored by your work since the first time I stumbled across one of your self-portraits on flickr. It was great to learn a little more about you and your artistic process.
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Hey all ~ don't forget to stop back here next Friday, January 27 for our first self-portrait linky party of the year! Come ready to link back to your self-portrait blog posts and flickr images.
I can't wait to see you {In The Picture}.
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41 comments:
These are incredible. I would have never guessed that they were self portraits!
This was an inspiring interview. I definitely have some new ideas for this year now.
Wow, I am indeed inspired! These are all so beautiful. It never occurred to me that I could play dress up, wear a wig, etc. I see a trip to Goodwill in my near future!
I am blown away... completely. So inspiring! I want to take my selfies to this level of art.
wow! i loved this post! her self portraits are so inspiring~
Thanks for posting this interview with someone I admire so much. And especially thanks to Patty for sharing herself with us here and thru her beautiful photos. She is such an inspiration to me, and I am loving the Me Again Monday project. That group is so lively, active and supportive.
Wow, what an inspiring interview. I love Patty's photography - her story telling is amazing. The 'unforgiving' aspect of self portraiture has almost defeated me on several occasions but Patty's words and images will stay with me as I learn to enjoy the process.
Great interview! Really inspiring. Makes me want to be a little more adventurous with self portraiture.
how wonderful, truly exceptional self portraits !
So flipping awesome...wow.
Wow, how inspiring! Great interview, wonderful self portraits that are works of art.
I find it so interesting the concept of using yourself as a prop in a photograph. Puts the whole concept into a new light for me. Thank you.
Kathy
Dress up! I love her playful attitude in doing self portraits...gave me so new ideas. Thanks!
Wonderful interview!! Who would've thought a $6 wig could add so much? I like the concept of seeing herself as a prop. Inspiring! Thank you.
Catherine Denton
great interview! very inspiring. her pictures are amazing! there is so much to learn about self-portraits!!! I'm so excited for this project!
Such a talent... and all round down to earth person. Loved the interview. I'm inspired!
This is a good interview! Her work is inspiring! Thanks for sharing this with us. I never would have thought these pictures were self portraits. She is very talented.
I've followed and been inspired by her work on Flickr. Great insight and suggestions. Thank you!
Thank you all for posting such great comments - so very much appreciated! And thanks again to Urban Muser for the opportunity to do this.
This was wonderfully inspiring. Thank you so much!
If I looked as good as she does I'd be taking self portraits too. Oh wait, I am. She's right, it's about allowing.
These photos are amazing, I love them- very inspiring.
Loved this post! Great interview. Thanks for sharing with us.
Her pictures are just so beautiful and inspiring. I had never thought about 'using yourself as a prop in a photograph'. It's an inspiring concept.
Loved this post! LOVED it!! Very very inspiring!! Such gorgeous work she does
Great interview! I had just discovered Patty a couple weeks ago when I joined Me Again Monday.
Oh my god. I am so happy I clicked over to read this interview.
Because.. hello?! Amazing!!
I loved reading this-thank you. That RR tracks shot blows my mind. I wonder how the focus is so spot on. It is great to see these creative takes. I need some "model" ideas to get me to think outside the box.
Great photos, great inspiration.
Wonderful interview and what amazing photography.
Excellent interview with great tips for an old guy like me. I have been doing 365 daily self photos since June 2011. Patty's interview has inspired me to really start to think. Just don't expect to see any photos of me wear a dress :-)
Lovely self-portraiture. She has a real gift. :)
Her work is so gorgeous! Thank you for sharing this.
First of all I think it's wonderful that you are including interviews as part of this project! Second what a fantastic person to use first! My god her images are astounding! The staging, color, lights, props and imagination - just incredible! Truly inspiring. I think it was also very nice of her to say look at other photographers self-portraits. Unfortunately as we are learning sometimes we go blank and it is only from the "Vision" of others that we get our "Inspiration". It isn't that we mean to "Rob" just to "Grow"! Thank you again!!! This is such an exciting project!
yikes! i can't even think of a word that is suitable enough to describe how awesomely inspiring these self portraits are. her work is amazing! a bit intimidating, too... for someone like me who has only dabbled in the art of self-portraits. but inspiring beyond words!
great interview!
Wowzers! This lady is amazing. P.s love your new blog look x
wonderful! she makes it all look so easy!
Awesome interview, U.M...
thanks so much for doing this
(I'm really looking forward to checking out more of Ms. M's work)!
:)
This was inspiring and freeing...Thank you!
What a fabulous interview. So incredibly inspiring! Thank you for sharing this!
a m a z i n g !!
Such inspiring pictures and so lovely to meet Patty. I love this post, Christy!
Beautiful, makes me want to make a thrift store run for some props and grab my camera. Very inspiring.
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