Dear Reader,

 

I would like to begin by expressing that I had little-to-no professional experience before I began this project. Proving that you can do this too.

 

The idea of starting a self-portrait series came to me one day while thinking over concepts and themes that fell short when I was a freelance model. At times I would show up to a photo shoot with intentions of creating memorable imagery with my photographer. The photographs always came out fabulous, but ultimately they were the photographer's vision and not my own. With this in mind, I thought, “Why not create my own images?”

 

This seemed like a simple idea, but I didn't know what I was in for.

 

#LovesSelfPortraitSeries was inspired by photography, artwork, music, literature, mugs, sunglasses, war paint, sci-fi, lights, anything that sparked my creativity. I started with brainstorming themes in my handy, dandy, Greenroom notebook and a pen. Each theme would have a specific hashtag, exclusively for Instagram.

 

With each passing month, with the help of Youtube Tutorials and Pins from Pinterest, I gained more knowledge and experience in makeup, lighting, and photography. 

 

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I am a bargain shopper. I believe that it’s not necessary to pay full price for anything. You can also find different ways to recycle things you already own to create something new. 

 

Here is where I hope to inspire you to create. 

 

I shoot with a simple point and shoot, Nikon 1 J3 camera with its standard lens. I use natural light on a plain wall in my Bronx apartment or my favorite 1980’s school projector screen with my tripod.

 

Both projector and tripod were bought at my local thrift store for a total of $35!

 

Once I finish shooting:

1. I do light editing on iPhoto, a stock app for MAC.

2. Upload the photos to Google Drive or Dropbox.

3. Download them onto my smartphone (I use the HTC One M8).

4. Finish editing on FREE apps such as PhotoGrid, BlendPic, Lidow and/or InstaShot.

 

If it's free, it's for me!

 

You can even shoot your images with your smartphone. What I want to bring attention to, is that you can create stunning, inspiring art with the devices, products, and goods you already own.

 

Create something that is your very own.

The sense of agency today is like no other. 

 

Keep your goals and dreams in sight at all times. I would never have imagined that I would be capable of creating images that have inspired so many. So, I leave you with this:

 

“Just be yourself.

Let people see the real, imperfect,

flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful,

magical person

that you are.”

                               -Mandy Hale

 

Thank you for taking the time to view my work.

 

Best,

 

Lovette Rosado