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I like to consider myself as a strong force and a spiritual person who loves delving into the world of books and forging meaningful connections with others. I think deeply about life, finding beauty in its complexities and joy in its simplicities. I’ve been told I have a big heart, and I carry a love for love itself—always seeking to uplift and support those around me. Bringing laughter and light to the people in my life is one of my greatest joys.

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This is a selfie with me and my cat Sufi. Sufi shows a big part of my life, highlighting my love for cats. I've had Sufi since he was just three months old. This picture is just a small snapshot of who I am – someone who enjoys spending time with her pet and finds comfort in having Sufi around. It reflects my easygoing and caring personality while showing my bond with him.

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This is me, Keyur Ghori, captured during my first visit to the Texas State Capitol. Standing in this historic space made me feel connected to something larger than myself ,a reminder of my passion for exploring new places and learning about their stories. The Capitol’s grandeur and the portraits of past leaders surrounding me felt inspiring, pushing me to think about my own journey and the goals I want to achieve. This experience marked a memorable step in my path of curiosity and growth.

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This is me, Keyur Ghori, captured during my first visit to the Texas State Capitol. Standing in this historic space made me feel connected to something larger than myself—a reminder of my passion for exploring new places and learning about their stories. The Capitol’s grandeur and the portraits of past leaders surrounding me felt inspiring, pushing me to think about my own journey and the goals I want to achieve. This experience marked a memorable step in my path of curiosity and growth.

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Hello, my name is Esperanza Eagans and this is my self portrait! Here I am photographed in front of a collage of pictures of my family and I. Along with the pictures behind me, I also stand in front of awards I’ve earned. This background symbolizes the emphasis I place on the past’s ability to impact who you are. My family is very important to me and have shaped who I am; while my accomplishments have taught me new things and pushed me to the limit of my abilities. I stand in front of the background smiling because I am positive about life and learning more throughout my college career!

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This picture describes me because it signifies my hobbies and interests. My favorite sport is soccer, and I play it almost every day. I also watch soccer, and my favorite team is Manchester United. I also referee often.

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I chose this picture because it was my dream come true. I've always wanted to play volleyball since I was a little kid. I went through missing a lot of school, low grades, and knee surgery and still managed to fulfill my high school dream, which was graduating and 4 years of volleyball. I played on injured knee for 5 years straight and didn't give up. Having surgery made me not want to play anymore because I was sitting out and didn't think I would be the same player. Being in high school was more than just going to class for me I was more into sports than grades, but I knew grades came first to play those sports. Never give up on your dreams because you will find yourself a failure.

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In this picture, I carefully arranged my setting (background) on my desk and chose my outfit to portray my tastes, interests, and passions. To begin with my outfit--I chose black because it is simple yet elegant and I find it to be my comfort color--when in doubt, take the black outfit out! The kufiyyeh symbolizes my drive to be a part in justice throughout the world, as I do my best to always advocate for oppressed people around the globe. As you can see, the desk itself is what could be called organized clutter--to a stranger, it looks like a mess, but to me, I know where everything is when I need it and revel in my creative clutter. (;

The cup of coffee represents my love for caffeinated drinks! Beside it, the leaves stand for my love of nature. The sand timer beside the coffee cup symbolizes my reliance on schedules and time keeping to keep me on track, though the fact that I chose a tiny sand glass rather than a large clock demonstrates the fact that I often fail to keep to schedule as much as I would like to! Behind it, you can see the cover of one of the five books I was blessed to publish. Another one of my books can be seen on the far left, beside my water bottle which sports a sticker based on an illustration within the book. The array of writing tools signifies my love for poetry and creative writing, while the assorted colors portray my love for art. There is a tiny green soccer ball all the way on the left, behind the book, which sadly was mostly cropped. However, it was there to represent my love of soccer. Lastly, the book on the top is the Quran, which I strive to live by and reflect upon.

Wrapping up,  the cluttered and colorful aspects of this picture resemble my life--an array of creativity, adventure, faith and inspiration with the occasional mess along the way!

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Have you ever felt small? And I don't mean small like "I'm a short person" but like, felt anxious and vulnerable and like you didn't fit, you just felt...small. I have, many times honestly, more than I would like to admit. The first time I felt really small was when my mom told me she had colon cancer, I felt so small and useless, I was 10 years old. The second time was when she passed away, being at her funeral, talking and greeting all the attendees, I had turned 11 years old a month before her funeral.

But the reality was, I had felt small in many other occasions, every time I made a mistake, every time I met someone or was faced with something new, whenever I felt I just couldn't fit with my classmates or people my age.

It's a feeling that I have eventually accepted to be part of me, but I have also become to embrace it, sometimes feeling small gives me peace and relaxation, and yes, although sometimes I get stressed because I'm so small I can't do a big change, it also gives me peace because I'm not the only one feeling like this, and that gives me peace.

Recently I met with people that have gone through what I been through with my mom, and it felt so nice to talk to people that understood what I saw and experienced, it felt nice not having to give background or explain everything, because they knew, and yes, I felt small talking with them, I felt vulnerable and exposed, but I felt good.

This photo was supposed to be personal and only for me, but as of lately I had been thinking of posting it on social media and talking about this, I know that many people, just like me, may feel like this, too scared to ask the question to their loved ones, too scared to be vulnerable.

This photo shows all of what I've talked about, I put myself in grey because I wanted to show how most of the time I feel like I don't fit with those around me, I'm also giving my back to the camera, because I tend to avoid attracting attention to myself, the letters start going smaller and smaller, showing how sometimes we are too scared of asking the question and sharing how you feel with others, and then, we have the Grand Canyon in front, as a way of expressing how sometimes feeling small is not something bad and negative, and we shouldn't avoid feeling it but try to embrace it and understand it.

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Hi, my name is Ash. I chose this picture to represent myself because it was taken in my birthplace, Los Angeles, CA, this summer when I went on vacation. This vacation was very special because it was my first time on an airplane/state without my parents. Going on trips is one of my favorite things to do now that I have the freedom and am old enough to. I have been to three different places in one year, and I plan to expand that as the years go on. I love being adventurous and the outdoors. I am always down to do something spontaneous. In this picture, I was looking at the sunset, which I love watching and photographing. I also like this picture because of the outfit I wore. I normally only like wearing black, but I try to experiment, and although I am still wearing black, I have a mixture of colors

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This self portrait represents myself because it shows that I enjoy working outside.Ive always enjoyed it do to the fact that it is relaxing to just be outside distracting yourself.The best part is that you get to interact with a lot of people,that’s something else I like to enjoy since you learn a lot from other people as well.Also it gives me more time to be with my dad since I would work with him before I started this new journey of college.l

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Hi! My name is Oluwafunmilayo Oshodi, but I go by Funmi! I chose this picture because it represents who I am and where I’m at in life right now. I took this selfie on my first day in my Director Uniform at Chick-fil-A (April, 2023)! At the time when I got promoted to Director, I had only worked at CFA for almost 9 months. Honestly, this was one of the proudest moments in my career at CFA and so I wanted to document this huge milestone for me! I’m honestly so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be in this position and I give Glory to God for it! I am so thankful that Jesus put me in this position and believe it was for a reason. Apart from school, work is another thing that takes up a good amount of my time and this job has been such a great experience for me! I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people, I’ve grown as a person, been able to be financially stable, etc. My smile on this day showed my joy and excitement to start this new journey of being a leader! I had just gotten my hair braided, my uniform, name tag, etc was new, it just really represented a new beginning for me!

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This photo baiscally encapsulates what I’m into. Over the weekend I went to my uncles ranch near Austin and we decided to do a little shooting and take a ride on the horses. It was nice to be out in hill country and be with family. I did end up pushing my luck a little too far as I did not bring ear protection as I usually do when I go to the range. I ended up damaging my left ears hearing and as my cousin took the photo and was telling me to pose a bit better I could not hear him, I felt a little distraught and confused and just threw a thumbs up trying to act normal. 

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I decided to pick this picture is because ever since I was kid I always like cars and they always were a interest for me. And growing up watching cars in video games made me want to experience seeing Japanese Sports Cars such as a Nissan 370z,Supras,and Honda Civic Type R. But the near future hope to get my dream car to be able to experience it. And I like going to see people projects cars once in a while. As I also share the same interest with my friends as well to find our passion on making cars look nice.

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This picture is my self portrait. I chose this photo because it's a good photo and has subtle details that describe me. It is a colorful photo and it has professional camera quality. I enjoy photography. My smile is genuine and when this photo was taken it wasn't paying attention and it naturally came together as things do in life. I appreciate things that happen naturally and that are genuine because thats who I am.

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In this self-portrait, I am in the RGB room in the Museum of Illusions in Austin, TX. The room stood out to me because of the shadows of colors that displayed onto the wall once someone enters the room. I was drawn to it; I thought the colors were bright and lovely. I requested my partner take an image of me in the room, and once I saw the results, I felt an aura of wonders, just living in the moment.

The image made me feel more than just positive energy; this self-portrait reminds me why its important for me personally to live life to the fullest and take advantage of the time I have while i'm here. As someone with anxiety, going out can be a very nerve-wracking experience for me, especially in a heavy public setting. Other times it can take over, and I can't always enjoy moments like this entirely. This picture encapsulates the meaning of just letting loose and being free to live life with no worries. I hope to take this with me throughout my adult life and let it serve as a reminder: We're here for a good time, not a long time.

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I chose this photo for my self-portrait mostly because I didn't have another one, but I also chose it because the memories this picture holds is dear to me and I'd like to think that it makes me seem like a nice laid back non-judgemental person because I let someone take this type of picture of me. I got this picture taken after swim practice and the team usually chilled in a classroom. All I remember was my friends including the coach laughing at a show while eating donuts.

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This picture was taken before prom started. In my hands I’m holding a bouquet made of white roses, pink tulips and baby breaths that I made the morning of. In this photo I am smiling hard because after weeks of stress, searching for a dress and completing prom duties the day had finally came and I was happy with the result of things.

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This picture is used for my self portrait.

This picture to me is special as it was taken on

August 26 2024, my 17th birthday. I am wearing three specific necklaces, the first one represents my favorite color blue. The second necklace (although it's blurry and hard to see) is a butterfly which is my favorite animal. And the last necklace is a locket from my best friend.

I highlighted my eyes as it is my favorite facial feature. I believe that eyes can speak words that the mouth may have a hard time saying. The background of this selfie is taken in the city, the city lights show night life. The blurry background keeps the focus on my face but still allows for the art to be displayed.

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This picture represents me because it portrays me in a hijab. I used to be on the drill team in my high school, which used to be a big part of me before I put on my hijab. The background is my room and as you can tell I love colorful lights. I am very out-going and friendly, and I love learning new things. I like meeting new people and getting to know them and their backgrounds too.

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I did this at the last minute and had no idea what picture of myself to take for a while, but I decided I wanted to take a picture of myself with my books behind me. What the books represent to me is my desire to learn more about the world and read literature, but since most of them, I have not started to read shows that I have a hard time putting in the work to accomplish that goal. I have a hard time focusing on reading and it takes a lot of energy for me to focus on reading. I wonder if I have attention issues.

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My self portrait is of me and my friend right before a baseball game. It shows how much I love and enjoy playing the sport of baseball. And how even during a tough season I am happy just showing up to the field.

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I took this selfie today of me being at the water park because it's the most recent thing I have from Sunday I choose this image because every Sunday I always go somewhere and I'm always happy about it because I don't mind were we go as long as we go somewhere for me and My family to have fun or to just look around and hang out so we don't get bored during Sundays

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This photo was taken after my high school graduation ceremony. This picture represents who I am because although I don’t like school all that much I take pride in the accomplishments I have achieved from elementary up until now. My favorite color is red and it appears in most of the photo. My cousin being in the photo shows how much my family means to me.

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This picture was taken at a music festival I went to. I feel it best describes me because of my love for music and especially hearing it live. Music is my serenity, and with it I feel the most comfortable and at peace.

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This picture represents me really well because it is showing my favorite thing to do and the one thing i enjoy doing the most which is playing soccer and this pic was taken when we were playing our rivals team at the ellis stadium and it was the most intense game out of the season because the whole stadium was packed with people watching and cheering.

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In this picture you can see me holding my high school diploma after graduation. This was an important moment for me, because it meant I am a step closer to achieving my dream job of becoming a Marketer for Nintendo of America. I have been playing video games ever since I was a child. I love video games, because of the creative freedom you have with them and how you can get other people to play in the world you create.

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My self portrait is me on top of the Empire State Building. It shows that I love to travel and try new things. It is a beautiful background that is also accompanied by my love for the Houston Astros. With me wearing this jersey, it also shows that I love baseball and that it has become a part of my life.

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This represents me because my goal is trying to get to the end which is graduating & making my family proud. This also shows my personality because if you get to know me I'm a very happy and smiley person yes I have off days but most of the time I'm pretty happy and respectful to people. I always chose to be happy because you never know what people are going through so I chose to be nice.Also I love blue & pink and this photo I love just because all the colors, the details and the meaning in the picture.

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My self portrait is a picture of my dog and me while wearing a baseball uniform. My dog is a big part of my personality and is something that I care for deeply. Me in my baseball uniform is also a good description of me because my entire life revolves around baseball whether it is practicing all day, training, or playing games.

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I love this picture of me and my girlfriend Alizae because the it really brings out the warm red coloring which is my favorite color and I love the emotions and memories it brings to me.

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I chose this picture to represent me because of the milestone that it became in my life. This was my first medal in tennis in my second-ever tournament. This victory drove me to try my hardest in this team. It also began some of my most precious memories and friendships. The quality of the picture could be better, but I was just so happy with my achievement and needed to document it somehow. The reason why I chose this picture was because it shows my competitiveness, hard work, and how I try to be happy for the little moments.

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This self portrait is a good representation of who I am. In this picture I have my son with me. I am a mom to a 6 year. I love doing things together as growing up my mom was a single mother who couldn’t really spend much time with us and I wanted to change that for him. I love traveling (hence my shirt) we’ve been to several other states, I love being outdoors and adventurous. Any free time I get you will catch me in the gym or playing soccer with my son as he is currently loving soccer and playing for a team.I am a very outgoing and active person.

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This picture is a good representation of me because this is the picture from my first trip when I come to the United States. I love the beauty of mountains, the fresh air and the peaceful environment. That day, I climbed a mountain and had lots of fun with my friends. Everything was very new for me. In this picture, you can see I am sitting infront of mountains and capturing every single moment in my camera. This shows how much happy I am to experienced new things in my life and how much I love nature.

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This picture represents me really good by showing off two of my favorite hobbies. These include fishing which I have done all over the country. It also shows off me traveling because I was in Alaska in the time of this picture, and I have been to 10 different countries.

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This picture I think incapsulates my general attitude in life and how I try to go about the things that come up. At first glance, the picture might seem a bit silly, however, I was actually feeling quite nervous because I was on my way to the first day of classes and I was getting my picture taken. Even when I am having a hard time and all I would like to do is get back in my house, I try to change my outlook and keep a positive mindset.

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This photo is a representation of me because it captures one of my passions. I am involved with the Irving Police Department as one of their police explorers, where I have the opportunity to learn about various aspects of law enforcement. I find great joy in this because it allows me to acquire the skills to protect and assist others, which is something I hold dear. I am truly fascinated by the process of learning new things in life, and this is just one of the many things that resonates with me and brings me joy.

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The photo represents my first steps into motherhood. I was a teenage girl who thought she ruined her chances of becoming someone in life. When that was not the case, it made me realize I have motivation to keep going and that God had a plan for me. This photo motivates me to succeed to give my son the life he deserves. It also embodies the love I have for my son, and I will do whatever I can to make sure he is happy, healthy, and loved.

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This picture represents me because I love to go on adventures that are a part of nature. This was in Washington at some mountains which we kind of hiked because at the end is started raining, also it’s approximately 2 hours away from Seattle. I enjoyed it mostly because

the scenery was beautiful and the mountains and tress were huge. The water also adds to the picture since it adds more aesthetic to it.

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This picture is a good representation of me because it shows how im looking forward to the future by focusing on the light source, symbolizing new beginnings instead of looking back on the past, which shows leaving behind old experiences and striving for personal grown

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This picture is a great representation of me. In this picture you can see me Rome. The way this picture represents me is I love to travel. I have been to 13 countries all over the world. It also shows that I love to be outside. Being outside in cool weather is always better than being inside.

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Hey, I am Duaa Hassan Khan. In this picture I am at El Yunque Forest In Puerto Rico. I am surrounded by beautiful trees, greenery and fresh cool weather. Waterfall is adding a peaceful vibe in the background. I love hiking, and this picture shows me taking a break during one of our hiking. I am smiling and making a peace sign. This picture shows how much I love being in nature and having fun. I'm not afraid to get a little muddy and enjoy the adventure. It represents my carefree and adventurous personality, showing that I like to explore new places and live life with a positive attitude.

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This picture is a nice representation of me because I'm standing under a palm tree on a beach in Miami, which reflects my adventurous nature and love for travelling to beautiful places around the world. The ocean waves and cloudy sky behind me represent my love for nature and the peace it brings me.

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This picture is a nice representation of me as a person because my love of art and more bright colors being used. 

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This picture is a perfect representation of me because I'm always playing around. Also I love the ocean so much and to be on a cruise and that being all that you see I was so amazed.

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This video is part of the instructions for the assignment. Watch it first. Create a Self Portrait Image that goes beyond just the visuals of looking great, try to put content into it that represents who you are or what you are interested in. Notice how artist's in the video use themes and concepts to comment on bigger subjects that just the visuals of a self portrait.  Make sure you post your image and explanation. You will end up posting the response to the assignment (image and text here and in the padlet submission, don't forget to put. your name at the top of the post and copy and paste the information into the actual assignment submission for ecampus.

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0:00 / 8:00•Watch full video

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The Art History of the Selfie | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios