"A journey of self-discovery through self portraiture"
Discover your authentic self through the lens.
Reflections is a deeply personal and visually poetic guide by Brazilian artist and photographer Bruna Valença, exploring how self-portraiture can become a transformative tool for emotional healing, empowerment, and creative self-expression.
Through seven immersive chapters, Bruna invites you to deconstruct perfection, reclaim your narrative, and see yourself with empathy and compassion. Drawing from her own award-winning art practice and lived experience of healing through photography, this guide blends feminist theory, creative exercises, and therapeutic reflection into a uniquely inspiring journey.
When a woman photographs herself, she becomes both the subject and the artist, asserting her agency and redefining her story. Perfect for anyone seeking a creative and mindful practice of self-exploration, no professional camera required, just your curiosity and openness.
What You’ll Learn
- How to use self-portraiture as a tool for healing and empowerment
- Ways to deconstruct societal beauty standards and embrace your authentic self
- How to turn emotional experiences into art through symbolism, light, and composition
- The ritual of mindful photography as a form of meditation and self-connection
- How to share your work with intention and confidence
- How to create beautiful art with the Emulsion Lift technique.
📖 Inside the book, you’ll find: 7 in-depth chapters exploring identity, emotion, memory, and empowerment * 20+ creative exercises designed to help you explore your inner world through photography, journaling, and self-reflection. * Step-by-step guidance on analog and digital techniques, including the powerful Polaroid Emulsion Lift process * Insights on the female gaze and how to reclaim your image in a world shaped by external expectations * A blend of practical art guidance and emotional healing tools for artists, photographers, and women seeking self-understanding * Inspirational reflections on feminist artists such as Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman, and Claude Cahun.