Hi, it's me. Yup, here I am. Today is all about being brave. Being visible. I occasionally tuck a photo of myself into a post, but it's always done with much angst and a wince. I'm not a shy person, but being behind the lens is just way more comfortable for me. This past weekend
Kathrin came over for tea. While our girls played, we slipped out back for an impromptu photo shoot. Somehow, having her there to make me laugh hysterically made it not only painless, but loads of fun. And what's more, I've been avoiding a real
about page for so long, because I didn't have a recent (or decent) photo that felt like it represented ME. Well, look above and you'll see that I got over that today. In fact, I've added several tabs under my banner with a couple more on the way. Conquering
little fears adds up... and after awhile
fearless becomes your middle name. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting closer.
Here's an out take...
I laugh easily. Sometimes I resent my deepening smile lines... but then I remember why they're there and that just makes me smile some more.
Go out and be brave today... even if it's in a small way. Every bit counts.
p.s. just because you might be curious... my new scarf came from
here, and I've barely taken it off since it arrived. LOVE.
I can really relate to this. I feel uncomfortable taking pictures of myself and posting them on my blog.. I get that icky feeling, like ughhrrr.... do I have to? But since I sew clothes for myself it's hard to avoid! Plus, I feel more connected to the blogs I read when I see the face behind the words and pictures, so it's a good thing.
ReplyDelete:)
I am also uncomfortable in front of the camera. Do I look directly at the camera or to the side? Big smile or demure? how much tooth? No big surprise that I don't post pictures of myself. kudos for you. You look great.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm older and fa........curvy! I don't mind what i look like and can take my photos, when I was young slim and pretty I didn't -if only I appreciated what I had! lovely post
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Maya. I'm always the one behind the lens with my boys. I think you look great, and I love your natural smile. Thanks for the wonderful scarf tip too! This, however, does not help my scarf addiction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I have to be brave and make a phone call I am nervous about. Here goes!
ReplyDeleteThanks friends! Didn't think I was the only one with this issue,so thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCharmaine- sorry if the scarf link proves to be dangerous. There are a dizzying array of gorgeous colors to choose from. I had been eying Martha's (the designer) scarves for over a year before I finally took the plunge. Now I'm considering one more.
BE BRAVE BETZ!
ReplyDeleteGood to "see" you on your blog. The photo shoot looks like it was fun. Bravery is tricky - some days I've got it, others not so much. Cheers to all~
ReplyDeleteThese are cute, Maya! I have my husband shoot my photos b/c laughing is inevitable!! I am doing some brave things today, too - and while I'm uncomfortable, I have no choice b/c the doggies are not capable (my only other option).
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for being brave!
ReplyDeleteOh, you know us so well. Of course we were going to ask about your scarf.
Maya, this post is perfect! Yesterday I was brave and went to the county clerk's office and registered my business (Shagbark Studio) and then got on line and applied for my sales tax certificate of authority. Last night I started working on my website and writing an "about" page! I took a quick look at few about pages on some favorites blogs and websites (including yours!) to get myself warmed up. So glad to see this today!! You look mahvelous dahling!
ReplyDeleteYou look WONDERFUL and I just love that outtake. You go Brave Girl!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Ditto everything! I am never comfortable in front of a camera. But I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteI love your "out-take" shot! I think candid shots are always the most amazing... so full of life.
I noticed a recent sneaky portrait of you, and thought, how nice. Now I see you are working on this. I too feel more comfortable behind the lens, which is why I find a measure of comfort taking my OWN picture. The control, I think, makes me less self conscious. Anyway,I think I'll be brave by tackling an outline of my stupid book. I'm avoiding it because it's frightening and overwhelming.
ReplyDeletethese look so natural you are so pretty and i relish the story of friends snapping photos of each other
ReplyDeleteone of the reasons i started my self-portrait exploration project was to be true to being brave. it's hard being in front of the camera, but i am learning to become more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteit's nice to see the woman behind all this goodness you share on your blog.
What a great post! Thank you for sharing this piece of you. Conquering the little ones does add up, and I love the idea of thinking of fearless as my middle name. That's way more exciting than my maiden name Adams. ;0) I think you've given me a new mantra!
ReplyDeleteI love your about page! And the photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe official picture is lovely, but it's the out take one that is what I imagine you to really be like. It's by far my favorite of the two. (Of course, I don't know you at all. =) I'm just saying...)
ReplyDeletelove this post! and congrats on braving the camera...i too am camera shy....i will need to work on that. it will take lots of time! very inspiring though!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Post on Bravery! Beautiful Pictures! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteBut you look great in all the photos of you that I have seen sneak onto this blog!
ReplyDeleteI have put a couple of pictures on my blog, but I will admit that I gave up trying to take a decent picture of me in the hat. I ended up putting on sunglasses, as I looked so tired - maybe I should have posted the original picture in time for Halloween...
I love your smiling picture. You look great...thanks for being brave.
ReplyDeleteSmile lines are trophies.
ReplyDeleteYou look so.crazy.happy.
yes its a brave new day...everyday... i love your pictures... especially that second one... i see you..
ReplyDeleteGorgeous giggly smile!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy putting a face to the art I see. Love your smiling face too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being brave, and yes, very very pretty scarf. Thought you would have made it.
That is no outtake, that smiling one is fantastic! It shows your personality, I love that one. Bravo for conquering a fear.
ReplyDeletei might seem really vain because I put photos of myself all over my blog... Why? because the blogs I enjoy reading the most have the writers picture in them alot. It allows connection.
ReplyDeleteI understand why craft blogs by their nature might not have as much photos of the writers themselves than say other blogs... but this is just to say keep it up, I love these photos of you...it allows a connection between you and your reader.
And while I love cute kids (my own blog is full of mine) they just arent the same as getting to know the adult.
Hi Maya - my daughter and i will be making pinecone wreaths this weekend. I've been letting her take pics of me - and it is a good thing. She's almost 5 and she loves holding mommy's camera and taking her stance to get the photo.
ReplyDeleteAs for the scarf - Oh - I am in love. Which size did you order. I'm guessing either the regular or big. I think I'll be ordering a few. My current fav scarves are gauzy like that and I've been looking for more!
How funny-I always think of you as a very brave person. You do so much that seems brave to me-especially when bulls are involved! I wouldn't think taking a picture would be daunting to you, when they always come out so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteoh girl, how i love to see those pictures of you. i mean, everything you do has your refined-crunchy feel - it all "feels like you," as you had shared. but so great to see you out there. i'm printing up that smile photo & putting up on my studio wall. love that, just love it. i wonder what i'll do today that's so brave...
ReplyDeletethank you, thank you sooo much everyone! I have to continue to be brave all today because my planned post is delayed until tomorrow and these pics just have to stay up here toying with my fea(lessness).
ReplyDeleteHiya Maya! "refined crunchy" got a giggle.
what lovely pictures. it's nice to see you—and you cracking up! :)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing pics of you and the outtake photo is my favorite. It really does make it feel so much more connected when you can see the writer in the story. As my youngest son who is in the military says "it feels good to challenge yourself doesn't it?" Yes it sure does.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maya for being brave.
Rebecca
You look GREAT & I LOVE your out take photo. Congrats on breaking down that wall. Fearless!!
ReplyDeleteyou are truly beautiful. love seeing the smile lines of my favorite bloggers, yourself included!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the face behind the words. These are beautiful, fun photos. So glad you decided to be brave.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post - it's beautiful. And so true. Reservations never come so naturally as they do when it's about ourselves. I appreciate this post - and your SCARF! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI know how it feels! But once in a while I face the mirror and take some pictures of what I see and I always feels thankfull afterwards.
ReplyDeleteYou look lovely :)
I think the bottom photo perfectly captures you, Maya. Joy. Humour. Warmth. Stillness. x
ReplyDeleteI have smile lines too! And I resent them sometimes too.... ehem.
ReplyDeleteLove these photos of you Maya!
Thank you for this post. For me, having a blog at all is terrifying. I'm just afraid that I will say the wrong thing which can be paralyzing on some days. Its getting easier over time and I am sticking with it. I've found that pictures of myself are easier even though I am short, fat and not in the least photogenic.
ReplyDeletei like that - little steps of bravery add up to having a middle name of fearless!
ReplyDeleteenvious of that scarf!
I finally have the opportunity to catch up with your blog posts. As always they are beautiful and inspiring. I am the same way about pictures of myself, so I cheer you on! Plus you are just so adorable!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for your blog and inspiration and here's to being brave! Cheers!