iStock is celebrating 10 years, and calling for self portraits for “Faces of iStock”. And of course, since iStock is such a huge part of my life, my work and my happiness… I wanted to go all out on this one When trying to brainstorm creative ideas, I usually get out a sketch book and draw ideas. This time all I could think of was a mask, I drew it several times, but wasn’t sure how to make it look cool in a photo. All eyes are going to be watching for everyone else’s self portraits, and I want it to be really cool. I want it to represent me and my creative, artistic side. A mask wasn’t enough, I need a whole backdrop… so I decided to paint one. I posted the sketch I came up with, and the backdrop that I painted  afterward (in steps) below.

Juggling all the other things that I do, I pretty much spent a whole day on the backdrop. So I had to wait until today to finish up the shoot. I curled my hair, painted a mask on, got dolled up, re-arranged my bedroom to fit some studio lighting in it (hahaha) and shot away. Anywho, here is the final shot (posted below). I had to hold one hand behind my back because I was holding the trigger to take the pictures, lol.

Update: and here it is on iStock 10: http://www.istock10.com/#/en/3342