My Self-Portrait Photography Journey: How I Came Home to Myself Through the Lens

In a world that teaches women to be visible only when we’re “perfect,” I found healing through an unexpected path: my self-portrait photography journey. It wasn’t about getting the perfect shot or curating an image for the world — it was about finally seeing myself, with truth and tenderness, through my own lens.

I didn’t start photographing myself because I wanted attention. I started because I was afraid I’d vanished.

For years, I poured my heart into loving others — my son, my work, my clients — while quietly neglecting my own reflection. The moment I realized I couldn’t find a single recent photo that truly felt like me, I knew something had to shift.

So I set up my tripod. Brushed my hair back. Took a deep breath.

And stepped into the frame.

The Camera Became My Mirror

That first photo felt stiff. The next few, slightly more honest. But slowly, something emerged: presence. I started to recognize myself in the images — not as a mother, not as a business owner, but as a woman coming back to herself. As my self-portrait photography journey deepened, the more I showed up for myself, the more I started to recognize her…

📷 These weren’t selfies. They were love letters.

Each photo became an invitation: to soften, to witness, to be seen without judgment. It wasn’t about perfection. It wasn’t about performance. It was about truth.

Why I Turned the Camera on Myself

I wasn’t trying to pivot careers or craft a new brand. I just needed to see myself again — after heartbreak, after single motherhood, after years of putting others first.

In my early 40s, uploading images for a dating profile, I realized I didn’t have a single photo that reflected the woman I’d become.

So, in the quiet of my home, I made space for her to appear.

Self-Portrait Photography Wasn’t About Vanity. It Was Reclamation.

These were slow, intentional portraits. Natural light. Honest expressions. Some days I cried. Some days I danced. Every time, I met myself again.

I wasn’t crafting a fantasy version of me. I was capturing resilience. Softness. Survival.
And eventually… radiance.

→ the mental health benefits of self-portraiture
(From the National Institutes of Health)

The Shift: From Healing to Helping

Soon after I met my now-husband on Bumble (yes, those self-portraits were part of my profile!). → If you’re curious about which platforms are best for meaningful connection, I’ve shared my top picks in this guide to the best dating apps for long-term relationships.

But this isn’t a “how I met my husband” story.

It’s the evolution of a self-portrait photography journey that brought me home to myself. One that started when I turned the camera toward myself and asked, “What if I’m still here? What if I’m worth seeing again?”

That quiet act of self-love didn’t just help me reconnect with myself — it laid the foundation for a business rooted in helping others do the same.

Today, I specialize in empowerment sessions and online dating photography for people navigating transitions — after divorce, after heartbreak, or simply after too long putting themselves last — using photography as a healing tool. → The power of portraiture in healing after divorce is something I’ve seen again and again. And what started as a personal healing practice has grown into a purpose-driven business that now ranks #1 on Google for dating profile photographer near me in my area.

I’ve photographed hundreds of people through this lens — literally and metaphorically — helping them rediscover their light, reclaim their voice, and feel seen in the truest sense of the word.

Because I know what it means to feel invisible.

And I know the quiet magic of choosing to be seen.

9 Lessons I Learned From Photographing Myself

✔️ I wasn’t invisible. I just hadn’t seen myself this way before.
✔️ Looking at a photo can feel like a mirror that tells the truth gently.
✔️ Selfies were survival. Portraits became liberation.
✔️ Confidence doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it exhales.
✔️ There’s no deadline for your glow-up.
✔️ The “right photo” isn’t about perfection — it’s about resonance.
✔️ The camera can show you strength you didn’t know you had.
✔️ The most romantic story I’ve told? The one where I showed up for myself.
✔️ Helping others feel this way became part of my own healing.

If You’re Feeling Invisible — Start Here

You don’t need a milestone birthday. You don’t need a partner. You don’t need a reason.

Just start.

📸 Set up your tripod.
📸 Let the light find your face.
📸 Be still.
📸 And breathe.

You might capture a version of yourself that’s been waiting to return.

Empowerment Photography for Your Glow-Up Season

Whether you’re preparing for online dating, healing after a divorce, or stepping into a new version of yourself, empowerment sessions or intentional self-portrait photography can help you reconnect.

✨ You are not too late.
✨ You are not too old.
✨ You are not too far gone.

If you’re standing at the edge of your own self-portrait photography journey, know that you don’t have to wait for permission. You are worth seeing—right now, just as you are.

If you’re wondering whether working with a professional could help you show up more confidently, here’s everything to consider: Should I hire a photographer for my dating profile?

Want to Start Your Own Self-Portrait Journey

👉 Read My Self-Portrait Gear Guide for Beginners
👉 Explore Empowerment & Online Dating Sessions
👉 Join My VIP List for Travel Sessions & Mini Dates

FAQs about Self-Portrait Photography

Is self-portrait photography the same as taking selfies?
Not quite. Self-portrait photography is slow, intentional, and expressive. It’s about capturing emotions and essence — not just snapping a shot.

Do I need professional gear to start?
No! A smartphone, a tripod, and natural light are more than enough to begin.

Can self-portraits help with self-confidence?
Absolutely. Seeing yourself with compassion through the lens can shift how you view your worth. → how self-love transforms identity

Is this something you help clients with?
Yes! Whether through full empowerment photo sessions or coaching for your own portraits, I help guide people through their own glow-up.

Do people really use self-portraits for dating profiles?
Yes — and I did too. In fact, my self-portraits led to the match that changed my life.