Shannon Kathleen Photography

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.

Woman capturing self-portrait with natural light during personal healing journey

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. These include after divorce, after heartbreak, or simply after too long putting themselves last. I use 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 or a partner or even 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

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.

Shannon OMalley

Hi — I’m Shannon O’Malley.
I’m a Minneapolis-based (soon-to-be Dallas, TX) photographer specializing in online dating profile photography, personal branding portraits, business headshots, and senior sessions. I work with people who want photos that feel natural, confident, and genuinely reflective of who they are — not stiff, overproduced, or performative.
My approach is rooted in natural light, ease, and emotional intelligence. I believe the best photos happen when people feel comfortable enough to be themselves — and seen enough to trust the process. Whether someone is stepping back into dating, refining their professional presence, or marking a meaningful season of life, my goal is always the same: to create images that feel honest and quietly powerful.
With over 15 years of experience behind the camera — and a journey that includes single motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a national CBS feature — I’ve seen firsthand how much impact the right photos can have. A strong image isn’t about vanity. It’s about clarity. It’s often the first impression that shapes how others perceive you — before you ever get the chance to explain yourself.
This blog is where I share insights on photography, visibility, confidence, and showing up with intention — both on and off camera.
When I’m not photographing clients, you’ll usually find me with my husband, my son, and our beautifully blended family — soaking up everyday life here in the Twin Cities (for now). We’ll be relocating to Dallas, Texas in 2026, where I’ll continue offering my signature photography experience for daters, creatives, and business owners throughout the DFW area.
If you’re here because you want photos that actually feel like you, you’re in the right place. I’m glad you found your way here.

www.shannonkathleenphotography.com