February 18, 2015

#PROJECTSELFIE | AN INTRO.

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Why does one need to create a selfie blog series, you're asking? To be honest, I have no idea why I ever decided this would be a good blog series. But one of the things I hope to do every year is push myself and my blog. To grow both in blog post content and personally as the girl behind this blog.

I want to help myself believe that beauty comes from the inside and that being in front of the camera isn't as scary as I think it is.
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I want to remind myself that being in front of the camera isn't vain. That there's nothing wrong with taking a selfie (as long as you're fully clothed!) and that we, as women and human beings, need to love ourselves.

And I want to remember that beauty isn't defined by a number on a scale, or a blemish on our chin.
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So here goes nothing! To be honest, I have a feeling this will be MUCH harder than taking one photo a day. Taking all of these selfies is going to be something I'll struggle with physically and mentally, too.

I've always hated being in front of the camera. I hate the limelight and I hated it even more as I got older and more overweight. And even though I've lost some of that weight, I still haven't overcome my fear of being in front of the camera.

But if I want to believe and if I want to grow, then I need to start making changes and making room for growth in my heart. 

Anyone care to join me?

43 comments

  1. Well. you certainly look lovely to me :)

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  2. you are the cutest! love your outfit :)

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  3. So well said! You look adorable!

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  4. Love it. As with most projects... my self portrait project kind of has stalled... gotta get back on that!!

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  5. OH - taking self-portraits makes me cringe. :/
    You radiate confidence and joy!

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  6. I actually don't mind being in front of the camera at all, although of course we all have our different positions and angles that we feel look more flattering :) I think this sounds like an interesting project, and I'm looking forward to following along! So, how does it work? Are you going to take one every day? How do you normally take self-portraits? With a timer/remote, or do you have someone else take them?

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  7. You're gorgeous and I love this project....that's all :)

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  8. YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!
    so dang beautiful!!
    i'm so glad you're doing this series and truly recognizing how absolutely stunning you are - inside and out!
    also...i think we have the same tights...and i think in an upcoming (maybe tomorrow) outfit post i'm wearing them hahaha.

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  9. You are such a lovely, lovely person - inside & out! Like you - I don't care for being in front of the camera all that much. I actually have a similar goal - instead of selfies though, my goal is to let my husband take my picture when he wants! (And not make a face or say something negative about the results!) Selfies I usually have no problem with, but I have a hard time handing the controls over to someone else.

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  10. This is so great! What a beautiful idea to embrace and learn about yourself in new ways. I completely agree it isn't necessarily vanity - it's important to learn confidence and self-love and all that good stuff, and this is a great way to encourage positive self-thoughts.


    I felt really awkward and kind of shallow posting outfit photos at first but now I enjoy it, and I think it's partly because putting those photos out there helps you look at yourself a little more objectively, which helped me have more confidence. Plus it's fun to have a creative outlet in this way!


    You're so artsy and creative that I'm sure you'll find lovely ways to do these selfies. Already started with such a lovely outfit! I adore chambray, and this pink is so pretty on you! And I think you must be off to a great start with this project because you totally look natural in front of the camera. Too cute. Thanks for sharing :)

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  11. Thank you so much! You are so sweet and so very kind. :)

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  12. Thanks, Chelsea! We'll see how it goes! :)

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  13. Thanks, Amber! I have a feeling a lot of these selfies will take place on Sundays because it's the day when I can actually dress up! :)

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  14. Thank you, Laura! I definitely don't always look like this--it's my Sunday/church outfit! :)

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  15. Let's just say I originally wanted this project to be monthly. Definitely failed on that part, haha. :) I have a feeling it's going to be tough for me to push myself to get in front of the camera long-term, but we'll see how it goes! :)

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  16. It makes me cringe, too! I definitely struggle with putting myself in front of the camera, but I wanted to challenge myself, so we'll see how it goes... :)

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  17. I don't really have any rules! I originally wanted to post something every month, but definitely failed on that last month. I have a feeling that I'll likely try and do something each month and if I get more in, then so be it. :) I really do cringe when I'm in front of the camera but I want to challenge myself so we'll see how it goes.


    As for photos, I do a little of both. For this one, I had my sister take the photos since she was outside at the time (walking the rabbit, of course). :) But I'll also pull out an old tripod and my camera remote, too. I think it'll just depend if I can snag/convince someone to take the for me! :)

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  18. Thanks! I'm excited to see how it goes! :)

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  19. You're making me blush. :) Thank you so much, friend! I'm excited for this project and hope to learn LOTS from doing it!

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  20. Stop making my cheeks flush! :) Seriously, you are wayyyy too kind with those words.


    I am definitely STILL struggling with seeing my beauty but I hope that this project will really just remind me to look to HIM more often than I do.


    And those are tights from Old Navy--are yours? You can't really tell, but they're actually hearts and I got them for half off during a post-Christmas/winter sale. I can't wait to see yours!

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  21. Thank you SO much, Kelly. :) I definitely still struggle with being in front of the camera (just thinking about doing the next photoshoot makes me cringe, haha) but I'm hoping that I'll at least be a little more comfortable with it all as time goes on.


    I LOVE your goal! I think that it would be awesome to do a project like that because having another person take your photos really keeps you accountable to get it done and it lets you see yourself from your husband's perspective, too. I'm excited to learn/see it!!! :)

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  22. Hearing your thoughts on this project has REALLY reminded me of why I wanted to start it to begin with. I've always struggled with self-confidence and embracing my appearance so it was great to hear that you've found yourself more confident and comfortable in front of the camera (and then posting those photos on your blog, too!).


    I've always admired your outfits and ability to be in front of the camera and I am hoping to channel my inner style-blogger when I take these photos. We'll see how it goes long-term! :)


    Thanks for the encouragement, girl! I'll definitely have to ask you for posing tips, too. :) Speaking of which, do you take your own photos or does someone take them for you?

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  23. Way to go Kiki! Confidence is what makes us beautiful. ;D Love this post to the maxx.

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  24. Thank you SO much, Chloe! I definitely still struggle with confidence, but I have a feeling taking more photos and sticking with this project will help. Your encouragement helped a ton, too! :)

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  25. Yay! I'm so glad you're stepping out of your comfort zone and doing this!

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  26. Kiki, I think you are really beautiful and I'm glad you are sharing this. This past semester I taught the 7th and 8th grade Bible class and we talked a lot about beauty but the message I kept trying to remind them (and myself) over and over again is that God looks at the heart and he talks about the true beauty being a gentle and quiet spirit. That it is the hidden man of the heart that counts the most. All that to say just through your blog I appreciate the gentle and kind spirit you show to so many. It's evident and it is much needed in this world.


    I like your selfie pictures! I know they are hard to take because I have done it myself and OH MY WORD! I feel like I take a zillion pictures just to get 3 or 4 that look good.

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  27. well keep on flushing those cheeks, because you are stunning!! :)

    AND YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
    the exact same tights! woohoo for clearance oldnavy! my post is live today with the same tights = twinssss!

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  28. "I want to remind myself that being in front of the camera isn't vain." Ahhhh I need to learn this lesson because this is EXACTLY why I struggle with selfies. That and I lack the self confidence to accept a picture if it's not "perfect". This was a beautiful reminder that my mindset definitely needs to change. I LOVE your style, and you are beautiful! :)

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  29. It's definitely something I'm still learning and working on, but I'm excited to see where it takes me! :)

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  30. I'm with you 100%. I have a really hard time posting selfies on Instagram because it just seems so weird for me. And I also hate having my picture taking because, well, it's just awkward. So I hope that this project will really just help me embrace my appearance and remember that life doesn't call for perfect photos. It calls for the beauty in the every day, selfies included. :)

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  31. That is definitely something that I need to remind myself of over and over again, too! I have always struggled with comparing myself to others and photos/people in the media and all too often forget about the fact that God created me. And that He created me with care and purpose. :) And like you said, He looks at the HEART, not the outer appearance. Thank YOU for reminding me that and for encouraging me, too!


    And girl, I have TONS of outtakes, haha. TONS. I definitely am not that talented and had some help from my sister, too. :)

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  32. Ahhhh so well said! "Life doesn't call for perfect photos"... you are so right and I may need to quote you on this one day!

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  33. I think any intentional changes for the better are a good thing. Someone who loves having their picture taken might not need intentional selfies, but I think it's great that you're doing them. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and areas of insecurity. I think it's important to challenge ourselves to overcome those insecurities. I look forward to more in this series!

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  34. That's EXACTLY why I'm doing this project. I have always struggled being in front of the camera and I want to push myself to overcome my insecurities. I know it's going to be tough and will likely require more energy and dedication than for most, but I'm looking forward to the challenge! :)

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  35. It's something that I need to remind myself of every day! I actually learned that from experience and from reading a lot of different tutorials and photographer and friends. It's so true, right?

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  36. CUTE kiki and good on you you brave thing. I think it gets harder with the way selfies are perceived these days too - i think the whole persona has changed a lot and its more acceptable but often not for the right reasons. But doing it in such a modest way like you've done is so lovely! I love recognising something in yourself and just growing through it - way to go xx

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  37. Exactly. I think that a lot of people see selfies and self-portraits as vanity now. But I think it all depends on why you take them (and how you take them, too--but that's a totally different story!). :)


    Thank you for the encouragement! It means a looooot. :)

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  38. So true! I think photographers know it best because they understand how many hundreds of pictures it takes to get a perfect photo, and sometimes that's just not realistic!

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  39. I completely agree with you! It's always good to hear it from the pros, right?

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