This conversation starts with self-portrait photography and body image and somehow takes us all the way to Iceland, perfectionism, creativity, and learning to slow down. In this episode, I’m joined by environmental self-portrait photographer and registered dietitian Sara Kushner for a conversation about body image, creativity, being seen, and what photography can teach us about ourselves when we stop trying so hard to get it “right.” Sara shares how self-portrait photography slowly changed her relationship with her body, why she believes being in photos matters, and what happened when she spent weeks traveling alone through Iceland, photographing in the middle of the night under the midnight sun. We also talk about the pressure so many of us put on ourselves to create our best work, especially in beautiful places, and what shifted when Sara stopped chasing the “perfect” photo and started paying attention to what actually felt meaningful. There’s also a pretty unexpected plot twist involving Iceland, Norway, and a trip that did not go according to plan. In this conversation, we talk about: • How self-portrait photography can change the way you see yourself • Body image, being in photos, and learning to soften self-judgment • Why environmental self-portraits feel different than traditional portraits • Traveling alone in Iceland and photographing under the midnight sun • Creative pressure, perfectionism, and making photos that actually mean something • What changed when Sara stopped trying to photograph what she thought she should make • The role nature can play in helping us feel more connected to ourselves If this conversation stays with you after listening, check out the companion blog post sharing a few more reflections on this episode, including creativity, self-portraiture, and the pressure so many of us put on ourselves when we travel to beautiful places with our cameras. Read the blog post here: https://studio.wildwomanphotography.com/post/iceland-self-portraits-learning-to-see-ourselves-with-sara-kushner You can learn more about Sara and her work here: Website: https://sarakushner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_at_play/ If this episode gets you thinking differently about your photography, your creativity, or the stories you tell yourself when you see yourself in photos, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’ve been wanting more support with your photography, I recently opened a new one-to-one monthly mentorship where we can work through editing, creative blocks, project ideas, self-doubt, and building work that feels more like you. You can learn more here: https://studio.wildwomanphotography.com/private-mentoring Or book a short discovery call here: https://link.creativemindscoach.com/widget/bookings/photo-mentoring-discovery-call
