Turn the Camera Around

I think it's important that I routinely turn the camera on myself. I can't ask you to be the only one who reveals while I hide behind the curtain of anonymity. Turnabout is fair play. If I'm going to ask you to stand before me, I must also stand before myself.

So I will ask one of my daughters to take my photo so that I can feel the naked vulnerability of being in front of the lens. It reminds me that it's not easy standing there exposed. And it's just as uncomfortable for me as it is for some of you.

And it's not just taking the photo that's uncomfortable. It's looking at it. There I am. Aging, changing, living. It's easy to ignore yourself when you're just existing day to day, but when you see yourself in a photo you can't really turn away.

I think that's why so many people seem to bristle at having their photos taken. It's not easy to look at yourself as you really are. But it's important. My portraits strive to show real people. And that means warts and all.

So here I am. Just turned 53 but still feeling 33. I just wanted to share.