Transform the Way You Create Self-Portraits
Discover 70 photography prompts designed to help you experiment, express yourself, and uncover new creative possibilities in front of the camera.
Explore light and shadow, emotion, cinematic storytelling, mixed media, symbolism, artistic styles, identity, and transformation through 70 self-portrait exercises.
Whether you’re feeling creatively stuck or simply looking for a fresh perspective, these prompts encourage playful experimentation while helping you develop your own visual voice.
You Want to Create Something New — But Keep Returning to the Same Ideas
You love self-portrait photography, but sometimes it can be difficult to know what to create next.
You may find yourself relying on the same poses, lighting setups, locations, or expressions. You want your work to feel more imaginative and personal, but when it’s time to shoot, the possibilities can feel either too limited or completely overwhelming.
Perhaps you save photographs that inspire you, but aren’t sure how to turn that inspiration into an original idea of your own. Or you want to experiment with new techniques, such as unusual lighting, motion blur, mixed media, cinematic framing, or symbolism, but need a clear starting point.
Creative blocks don’t always mean that you’ve run out of creativity. Sometimes you simply need a prompt that helps you look at yourself, your camera, or your surroundings in a different way.
A Workbook Designed to Inspire Creativity
This workbook contains 70 fully developed self-portrait prompts, each offering a different way to approach your photography.
Rather than simply giving you an idea, every prompt combines inspiring photography, practical guidance, and thoughtful reflection to support you from your first spark of inspiration through to the finished image.
Explore Eight Different Approaches to Self-Portraiture
The workbook is organised into eight themed chapters, each exploring a different creative approach to self-portrait photography:
I. Light, Shadow & Atmosphere
II. Inner Worlds & Emotional Selves
III. Beyond the Conventional
IV. Mixed Media & Beyond
V. Film, Cinema & Character
VI. Symbolism & Objects
VII. Artistic & Painterly Photography
VIII. Identity & Transformation
A Look Inside
Every prompt follows the same thoughtful structure, combining inspiring photography, practical guidance, and reflection questions to help you develop your own ideas.
Browse a small selection of pages from the workbook below.
This Workbook Is for You If…
- You love self-portrait photography and are looking for fresh inspiration.
- You often find yourself creating the same kinds of images and want to try something different.
- You’d like to experiment with light, colour, symbolism, styling, and mixed media, but don’t know where to begin.
- You enjoy learning through creative exercises rather than rigid tutorials.
- You want to develop both your technical skills and your artistic eye.
- You’d like to create photographs that feel more personal and meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. The prompts can be completed with a phone or camera, and each one includes practical guidance to help you get started.
Do I need Photoshop or AI?
No. Most prompts require nothing more than a camera and simple props. A small number introduce editing techniques or AI tools, but these can easily be skipped or adapted.
Do I have to complete the prompts in order?
Not at all. You can dip in and out, revisit favourite prompts, or combine several into a single shoot.
Is this a physical book?
This is a downloadable PDF that you can keep and use whenever inspiration strikes.
Can I print it?
Yes! Although most readers enjoy using the digital version alongside a notebook for the reflection questions.
Is this different from your first ebook?
Yes. My first ebook teaches the foundations of self-portrait photography. This workbook is designed to expand your creativity through guided prompts, artistic techniques, and reflective exercises. The two books complement each other perfectly.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration, a creative challenge, or a more personal way to approach self-portrait photography, I hope these prompts become a resource you’ll return to again and again.
Start exploring your next self-portrait today!
Meet the Author
Hi there! I’m Désirée, the creator of this eBook. I’m a professional self-portrait photographer and educator. My images have won several awards and been exhibited in Berlin, Germany, Tucson, Arizona, and Tokyo, Japan.
I’m super passionate about educating others on self-portrait photography through my blog and YouTube channel.