Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Self-portrait.

And I don't like pictures, I assume you know that by now.




With the holidays comes the traditional onslaught of merry photo shoots with family and friends, in the snow, by the fire, opening a present. If you don't have your smile down pat by the end of December, you will reap the consequences by early January. :)

This year I made an effort.

I thought... why be so afraid of what you look like on film? You don't look so different in real life (arg) and people see you like that every day! At first my smiles were teethy (ick on teethy), and then they were pinched and tight (friends say: Ick on pinched and tight), so I exercised my lips and tried to plump them up for a relaxed and natural look (family says; Why not look happy, mom?)... and finally settled on this:

I will look how I look when I look like it.

And this is how I looked on Christmas Eve as I thought of all those I love and hold dear. Zoom in on my eyes, and you will see your image reflected there as I pondered where you were and what you were doing on that night. As I sent hugs and warm thoughts your way...



18 comments:

Ola said...

really good portriat! I am also somehow scared of smiling on the pictures (but I am not the only one-look at Victoria Beckham:))))

penny said...

Sweet, sweet smile, dear Alli. Your practice was perfect.
~:)

MarmePurl said...

Beautiful Lady with a beautiful smile. I am not surprised...goes so perfectly with all those beautiful words and photos of yours!

Changes in the wind said...

You are cute as a bugs ear:) Smile baby smile.

TexWisGirl said...

you are a beautiful person, both inside and out. keep smiling, dearie! any which way you want!

Meg said...

You are so cute! I don't know why you don't like having your picture taken - but I am the same way. I hope you had a wonderful New Years!

Out on the prairie said...

What a charmer, I shot one in an old mirror I found in a state park yesterday.I laugh at my smiles when I use my self timer and have to run into the picture.

Joe said...

I like pictures just not ones of me....I hate to think I look that bad.

Randy said...

I'm with Joe. I very rarely let anyone take photo. Yours are great!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

How lovely you are Allison. I just knew you would be as beautiful outside as you are inside.

Debbie said...

Same heart-warming smile that greeted me 36 years ago. You are adorable! I LOVE the slightly wicked grin. Would love to see it more often. :)

Love you,
Debbie

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Allison, I am with you on previously not wanting to have my photo taken, usually because I was the one taking the photos it was easy to avoid. In recent years, I have mellowed because we distant from family and friends and photos do help me to relive special moments. Your photo does reflect the joy of Christmas.

Kate @ Daffodils said...

So nice to see your face, pretty lady!!

Nancy said...

When I really started to think about it, not showing photos of ourselves is just insane.

I'm no spring chicken, but I like me and this is how I look now. A big step in loving yourself is loving your physical self. And you are a beautiful young woman, Allison. Will love to see more of YOU in 2012. :)

Inger said...

What a lovely picture, that smile is so sweet. I am much less of a spring chicken than Nancy and I posted pictures of myself two posts in a row. Happy New Year!

Judy said...

There you are :)))
I can totally relate tho, you don't see to many of me and I like it that way.

Cheyenne said...

You are a beauty! I think I like what you said about why should we be afraid of what we look like on film? That is so true.

Carole Barkett said...

The photos are great. No need to be afraid any more :O)