What's Oklahoma to you?

@oneeyefocused
This picture represents a lot. I was brought up around different cultures and lifestyles. So doing this shoot was exciting to capture a different element within senior portraits. The model's name is: Dimple Patel. She was very nervous on how people would judge her as she walked around in her traditional clothing. But, I made sure to assure her that no one is judging. The key to photography is that you are bringing beauty to the photo whether it's inside or outside the subject.
#MyOklahoma is still going strong in its second year, with more than 56,000 submissions on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
The hashtag started as a way to showcase why we all live in and love Oklahoma. It was also a way for the community to come together in the aftermath of the May 2013 deadly storms.
PHOTOS: My Oklahoma Submissions (2015-2016) Share your #MyOklahoma photos with us
Since then, #MyOklahoma has allowed people to celebrate our state and all its beauty. We’ve even been able to form friendships with many of the talented photographers through Instameets and #SundayStories.
For the latter, we wanted to know more about the thought process of a photo and how it was edited. People say a picture is worth a thousand words, but we wanted to know more about what’s behind it.
In late 2014, we started posting #SundayStories on our account, and the response has been incredible. Not only are people seeing more photos, they’re learning about the photographer’s story, artwork and journey.
We also select a #MyOklahoma photo to run in The Oklahoman every day and will continue to share your photos on our @News_OK Instagram account.
It’s inspiring to see so many perspectives and photos from across the state. Thank you all for your contributions. It’s your hashtag. It’s your community.
— Tiffany Gibson



























![Instameet at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Saturday, July 25, 2015. [Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman]
Photo - Instameet at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Saturday, July 25, 2015. [Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-88ccfe47c228570425129a4e70fdbcaf.jpg)





Entertainment Writer and LOOKatOKC Editor Nathan Poppe is a documenter of all things entertaining. The Middle of Nowhere is his blog and a depository of everything that makes the Midwest unique. The coasts have a massive amount of influence on... Read more ›

Tiffany Gibson has worked for The Oklahoman since August 2011 and is a member of the enterprise team and digital desk. In addition to writing and web editing, she creates interactive features for NewsOK.com and assists with data visualization and... Read more ›