Liberate your full expression through self-portraits
Self-portraits create an opportunity for you to know, discover, and explore yourself more deeply. As observer and observed, creator and creation, you can see and embody a variety of experiences of yourself. And then you get to decide which experiences to keep.
Uncensored; adj:
“not having any part deleted or suppressed” (Merriam-Webster)
You, uncensored – embodying the full, liberated expression of YOU.
How it works
Here’s what to expect as part of #theuncensoredself course and community
WARM UP
We dive deeper into how self-portrait photos can actually be part of ongoing self-exploration, remembering, and expression.
REFLECT + PREP
We reflect on where and how we might be experiencing censorship in our lives, and consider which areas we want to explore further through self-portraits.
GET TECHNICAL
Self-portrait photography 101. We’ll go through how to plan and shoot your very own self-portrait session. No professional gear needed. Your phone is perfect.
PHOTOS + PRACTICE
Get into self-portraits, then tie everything together with a guided self-reflection and awareness practice. I’ll also show some easy editing and photo organization.
Melissa’s course is educational, thought-provoking, and easily digestible. As someone who had never tried self-portraiture before, the course guided me through each step and allowed me to be intentional with the picture I wanted to capture. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to explore the “behind the subject” of a photo or just try something new!
I’ve been following Melissa for a while, and I really admired her ability to take self-portraits in a way that felt very empowering, that felt very authentic. It was something I was looking to be able to do more of, not just for my brand and being able to show up as a coach, but also for myself on a personal level. I’d been able to take great photos whenever I hired a photographer, but as a small business owner and entrepreneur, that isn’t always financially feasible. So I wanted to build some skills to be able to create really fantastic images on my own – that also allowed me to do so in different clothing or position or moods that may not be as well-suited to having an audience or other people there. It had a lot more questions than I was expecting to self-reflect, to really get in touch with my most authentic self, to get in touch with the vision I was looking to create. Thank you so much, Melissa! Highly recommend this course. I can’t wait to see what comes next in The Uncensored Self.
I'm Melissa
I’m a self-portrait photographer and content creator. I express myself in the world and on the internet.
And I do so as honestly as possible.
But for a long time, I was trying to express myself in the right way. Or, what I thought was the right way, based on what I thought I’d get approval for. Based on what I thought I should be doing.
I originally started my photography business to capture photos of other people, but when I could no longer do that (2020…), I turned the camera on myself and realized it was about so much more than simply capturing a photo of myself.
Self-portraits are part of my spiritual practice; if it resonates, I hope it becomes part of yours too.
Documenting yourself is a way to meet yourself, again and again, and embrace all the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding away.
Supporting you on your journey of self-(re)membering
Your true Self longs to be remembered and expressed through you.
And if there are parts of yourself you feel afraid or nervous about showing people, embodying them through self-portraits is a safe – and solo – way to explore.
Self-portraits literally changed me. Or, rather, they allowed me to fully embrace my own changing – my own remembering.
It’s the big reveal. It’s revealing your Self to yourself.
It’s looking in the mirror. Except you’re the mirror, the reflection, and the one standing in front of it.
You’re the method, the medium, the audience, and the artist.
I absolutely loved the layout of this course! I liked having units that were broken down so I could go at my own pace and digest the information I read. I really liked the layout of written information and video instruction and BTS.
I had a safe place to explore my self identity because I am going through SUCH a major transition with motherhood and career. My business is new and I am nervous so this [practice] is empowering because it will give me the courage to evolve.
I freaking love [the photos]!! You are knowledgeable and can see stuff I couldn’t, so that really helped. It was really great playing with the camera and angles, [and] having a personal cheerleader to lead me on!
Why self-portraits?
Self-portraits are a safe, judgement- and expectation-free space to explore your curiosities, your desires, and aspects of yourself you might hide away.
Join the course
+ community
A practice to bring you closer to your Self.