Assignment #1: The Self-Portrait

Hello there. I'm Melissa, I'm 25 years old and I'm brazilian. I've been in the US for four months, working as an au pair, which was actually an excuse to run away from my life back home and explore other places. I have this urge of getting to know the world, so I'm sure I'm not stopping here. Not that my life isn't good in Brazil, but I live in a city that I think got too small for my ambitions. I think of myself as a cheerful person, always trying to see the best in situations and people. I am a biologist and I was once a scout, a combination that made me grow an absurd love for nature, which is probably why I love photographing landscapes and capturing beautiful sunlight. Photography is also what keeps my creativity awake, since Science is full of rules and doesn't let me go too crazy about things.

The whole thing of taking portraits is new to me, especially when it comes to taking pictures of myself, something that I'm not yet very comfortable with (I'm not a fan of "selfies"). I'm hoping to learn a lot over the next few weeks.

I have to say I'm not completely happy with my portraits, I didn't have as much time as I wish to take good ones, but some are pretty good.

Time is a big part of my life as an au pair. Sometimes there's too much, sometimes it's not enough.

This picture came out more melancholic than I expected, but I love the fact that my red glove stands out when compared to the very gray and white that are predominant on the photo. 

This is a very intimate picture when you see it on its original size. You can see all the marks in my face, even parts where my skin in peeling from being so dry. You can also see the trees reflected in my eyes. I just love it.

I did not expect my head to be cut off of the picture, so this was a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure what impression you can have from this picture, I just really like it.

This was also not planned, I thought you would be able to see me looking at the camera, but my eyes were out of the frame. I kind of like it better. What does it say about me? Well, I'm playful, look at my slippers. But with my face cropped you can also see that I'm shy and not everyone gets to see my funny side.

I love this one. It's winter, there's snow, I'm happy. It just makes me so amused to see everything white, the frozen trees shining against the sun, the impeccable snow on the ground, just waiting to be stepped on. Winter back at home is not fun anymore. 

Reading is one of my favorite things to do when I need to relax, specially if I can be on my pajamas.

This is a portrait of me without me in it. There's a lot you can tell about me just by looking at this picture (there would be more if I had gotten the focus right on the books).

Took this picture on my mirror, trying to show intimacy with the camera. Photography is a part of what makes me who I am.

This is my favorite. It was taken around 7am, which provided me with beautiful lightning from the sunrise. It gives me an impression of curiosity, expectation and the wish for liberty, like I want the light from outside to reach me, since it's so dark inside.