Truthiness in self-portraiting

The moment I wake up

Before I put on my makeup

I say a little prayer for meeeeee…

2317459986 b311872514 Truthiness in self portraiting
(Is in need of many prayers. And a facial.)

Welcome to what I look like when I wake up in the morning. No make-up, no comb through my hair yet… hell, I haven’t even brushed my teeth. This is what 37 year old motherhood looks like. Try to keep your breakfast down.

I post this for two reasons. One, I think we’re all very good at glossing over and covering up, and let’s face it, that’s kind of lame and cowardly. We all promote our best head-shots, our most flattering angles, and stuff under the rug the reality of what we REALLY look like without tweaking and all manner of artificial support. I’m no different, of course: I edit and select all of the images I post here, and am loathe to publish photos that make me look less-than-attractive(-ish). But I’m not a head-shot, and my life most certainly isn’t lived in soft lighting, and truth be told I rarely (okay, almost never) wear makeup. This is pretty much who I am. Internet, meet my everyday reality, in all its haggard ingloriousness.

And two, I’d like to meet YOU in your stripped-down, unvarnished loveliness, as well. So I’ve created a handy-dandy flickr group called Self-Portrait Truthiness, and I invite each of you to post one or more photos there of yourself as "the real you." Interpret that as you will, bearing in mind that honesty and keeping-it-real is the goal. The truth will set us free… or at least be entertaining for a few days. snort.

So let’s do this thing! I double dog dare you. Yeah, I said it. Whatcha gonna do, punk?

  • http://www.maypapers.blogspot.com tracey

    count me in. i can't resist a self portrait challenge even if it's of the early morning type. i'm heading over to the flickr group and i swear i'll post something-just watch me.
    xo
    the other tracey
    oh, and that shot of you rocks! the lighting is dreamy-or maybe sleepy is a better word.

  • http://lorislightextemporanea.blogspot.com Lori

    Shoot, if I looked that good in the morning, I might take you up on it!

  • http://stimeyland.blogspot.com Stimey

    I held up for as long as I could, but I finally decided that if I can't humiliate myself on the internet, where can I humiliate myself?

  • http://greeneyedmama.blogspot.com Traceytreasure

    You look gorgeous! I think all the women who participated look gorgeous too! I'm so sick of all the fake Hollywood boobs, fish lips and now men are "flocking" hair on their heads. ?First they spray on glue and then the hair. Yuck! I'll probably be the last person in the world with a big nose but, hey, it works! I'm glad that I found your site! Thanks for the great post!

  • http://onenjenifer.blogspot.com Jen

    Hi there! I've never read your blog before, but I've seen others link to this project, and I was instantly intrigued, so here I am, in all my unvarnished glory: http://onenjenifer.blogspot.com/2008/03/undone.ht
    Great idea for a viral blog challenge. I think like Neil's Great Interview Experiment, this challenge will go on for long while, as it's quite liberating to bare it all, if you will.
    So, thanks!

  • http://www.tothinkistocreate.com To Think Is To Creat

    I wish I had that lighting. I finally got mine up!

  • http://www.sizzlesays.wordpress.com sizzle
  • http://astitchintime.blogspot.com debra

    Ok, I joined this morning. Ya gots a true picture of what 55 looks like first thing. NOT terrible, but not pretty either.
    And NO I will not blog this!

  • http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com Shalet Abraham

    I shuttled over here from Shutter Sisters. I will join your group and have the perfect unattractive photo to share. Normal people unite!

  • http://amthomas718.blogspot.com Amanda

    Here via A Mommy Story. Posted my own self portrait.

  • http://lawyermama.blogspot.com Lawyer Mama

    I'm going to have to try this…. If I can handle it!

  • http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com WhyMommy

    Dare accepted. If a bit late.
    Who can find the camera at that hour of the morning, anyway? :-) http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/tru

  • http://chookooloonks.blogphotography.com Chookooloonks

    You know, I WOULD do this, but since I'm afraid any photograph of me first thing in the morning would throw any viewers into a frenzy, hysterically grabbing for the phone to call emergency, nine-one-one, dear-god-that-woman's-afro-is-eating-her-head, I thought I'd better not.
    You're welcome.
    K.