For many of us, stepping in front of the camera can be a daunting experience, especially as female photographers. Self-consciousness often takes center stage, making it challenging to embrace ourselves fully. But here's the secret: self-portraits can be a powerful tool for self-acceptance and self-love. As we navigate the world of self-portraiture, particularly through the lens of manual lenses, we not only capture our physical selves but also our inner strength and beauty. It's a journey that builds a profound relationship with oneself.

In October of 2018, my life changed quite a bit. My husband quit his job and the life that we had grown used to came to a sudden end. Like most people do, we pretended for a while that everything was okay, but honestly that was far from the truth.