This week has felt like a slow unfurling, a return to my intuition, a softening into trust, and a deeper grounding into the earth. Ever since turning 29, I’ve been experiencing these gentle awakenings, almost like little spiritual nudges guiding me back to myself.
I’ve been ebbing and flowing through change, learning to admire my own beauty the way I admire the beauty of everyone I photograph. My heart feels like it’s expanding, and with that expansion comes the letting go of old layers, the protective walls we build when we’re afraid to be seen.
Each positive interaction, each genuine moment of connection, rewires the old stories. We stop seeking situations that harm us because there’s nothing left to prove or chase. We simply exist, full of life, longing, forgiveness, and openness.
Even in dating, I’m surrendering more deeply. Not wondering whether someone likes me or if their intentions are real. Instead, I’m trusting my heart. Trusting my spirit. Trusting that my intuition hasn’t misled me yet.
And somehow… all of this found its way into a simple self-portrait session.
Missing the Sunset, Meeting Myself in the Dark
I ran outside to catch the last bit of sunset, the soft golden glow photographers crave and yet the sky slipped into night before I could set up my tripod.
At first, frustration washed over me.
Then something inside whispered, Stay.
The darkness had its own invitation.
Shooting self portraits in the dark forces you inward. It strips away distraction. There’s no “perfect light” to rely on. You’re simply in conversation with the shadows and with yourself.
In this quiet space, I felt my intuition louder than ever.
So I let the darkness guide me.
I leaned into the moodiness.
I embraced the grain.
I let the night shape the story.
Later, I moved into my kitchen and used my flash to create something intimate and honest. Funny enough, the photos taken in my kitchen are some of my favorites. I like the impromptu vintage vibe to them...
What the Darkness Taught Me
Missing the sunset was a blessing.
The dark reminded me that clarity doesn’t always come from light, sometimes it comes from stillness. From quiet. From being willing to see yourself without the glow of perfect conditions.
Energy attracts energy, and right now I’m feeling myself drawn toward softness… toward expansion… toward trust. I’m stepping into a version of myself that doesn’t rush or force or question whether I’m “enough.”
Welcome to my blog.
My hope is that you walk away with a little more love and gratitude in your heart... for the world, for the imperfect moments, and especially for yourself.
Even when the light fades, beauty remains.
Sometimes, it’s in the darkness that we meet ourselves most clearly.
Photography Tips: How to Take Beautiful Self Portraits in Low Light
Here are the exact techniques I used, woven with a little creative honesty:
✨ 1. Slow your shutter speed
Let more light in.
A touch of motion blur adds dreaminess and makes the darkness feel alive.
If you go really slow, use a tripod or set your camera on something sturdy.
✨ 2. Don’t be afraid of high ISO
Nighttime self-portraits naturally have grain and that grain adds soul.
It turns technical “imperfection” into emotion and gives the images a nostalgic texture.
✨ 3. Use whatever light you already have
A kitchen lamp.
A hallway bulb.
Your phone screen.
A small table lamp you tilt just right.
Low light photography works best when you treat the light as a collaborator, not an inconvenience.
✨ 4. Lean into shadows instead of fighting them
Shadows create mystery.
They shape your features.
They tell a story sunlight can’t.
✨ 5. Stay connected to yourself
The darkness invites honesty.
Let it.
Self-portraits are less about looking perfect and more about seeing yourself clearly.
✨ 6. Don't forget about flash
Flash can be a powerful tool, especially in the dark.
It doesn’t have to be harsh or unflattering. In fact, when used intentionally, flash can:
Freeze motion beautifully
Add crisp contrast
Create editorial, cinematic moods
Highlight textures in clothing and skin
Give your night portraits a bold, confident energy
If you use an on-camera flash, try bouncing it off a wall for softer light.
If you have an off-camera flash, experiment with distance, angles, and diffusers.
Even your iPhone flash can add drama when used at a slight angle or paired with ambient light.
Flash isn’t cheating, it’s just another way to paint with light when the world goes dark.
