Well...I did it. I took a photo every day for 365 days. Well, I missed March 15, but we won't go there. I made up for it on August 8, when I took two (here and here).
365 days...365 photos...365 stories captured and told. And you know what, I am in love.
I loved that the project made me take a closer look at the small details of our life...taking a picture every day...especially when many days seem the same...forces you to look at the little things you take for granted: the kids' bedtime, life where you live, good days, hard days, good friends, silly moments, naughty moments, family time, yummy food, the books we read, the milestones, and the things that take up our time. I now have 365 little glimpses into our life...many that I would have missed had I not been intentional about taking photos.
So...will I continue in 2010? You bet! I can't imagine NOT continuing...many times over the course of the last 12 months I have said to Jason, "I am SO glad I am doing this!"
And really, it isn't that much work. I take a lot of pictures anyway. But these are my top tips for those of you just starting:
1. Always keep your camera out and ready. I am thankful that my battery usually lasts me a good 6-8 weeks, but if yours doesn't, have a regular schedule for charging it so you won't get stuck. I keep my camera in my office (which is off the kitchen). It is accessible but out of the reach of little hands.
2. Decide WHY you are doing this. Doing this project to really grow in your photographic technical ability is very different than doing this to capture your everyday life. I have seen people do it both ways, and both are fantastic, but they produce very different results. I, obviously, have done it to capture our everyday life -- messy hair, eyes not on the camera, and silly faces included.
3. Don't make this more work than it has to be. Like I told someone yesterday: All you have to do is click the shutter at least once every day. You do not have to download, edit, share, or scrap your photos. All you have to do is take the picture. I usually downloaded my photos and chose/edited/shared my pictures about once a week. I never had any intentions of scrapping every photo. Instead, they are all going into a Blurb book for printing. I can have a hardbound 7x7 book printed with up to 400 pages for about $75. Each page will only have the date, photo, and caption.
4. Vary your content. You have 365 days to capture your life...make sure it includes all the little bits that make it yours...food, clothes, daily routines, etc.
5. Have fun!
And though it is hard to choose, here are my top ten eleven favorite photos from 2009 (in no particular order) and all for various reasons
2009 was a great year!
That last photo is beyond awesome! I hope you have that enlarged somewhere!!!
Posted by: Shari Barnes | January 03, 2010 at 11:08 AM
These are AWESOME!! I'm with you! I'm doing PROJECT365 with my blog (http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com), but plan to do the pictures as well... will provide fuel for blogging, I'm thinking. I probably have taken a picture just about every day without even realizing it! I too love the fact that it helps me to see and LOVE the small stuff, treasure it and hopefully remember it! I love how it will afford my kids a better history of their young lives as well. It helps to be able to see all the happy moments that we've had when sometimes life is hard.
I love bourgonbillas (I have NO idea how to spell that... the lovely fuschia flowers overlooking the sea).
Did you get slammed on that slip and slide shot?! All the pictures are beautiful!
Amy in Peru
Posted by: Amy | January 03, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I've enjoyed seeing your pictures! I'm going to attempt this project this year.
Posted by: Nancy | January 03, 2010 at 11:36 AM
LOVE all of your pictures! I'm doing this project now, too... I started on December 1st. So far I'm doing okay, but it is hard on some days to figure out what to take a picture of. Thanks for the tips!
Posted by: Anne | January 03, 2010 at 01:51 PM
love it!!
Posted by: jennyg | January 04, 2010 at 01:11 AM
I finished 365 this year too..... LOVED it!! Want to say AMEN to everything you said... made me focus on the little things in my life... also go to see my miracle baby grow up before my eyes (or lens as it may be!).... loved it so much that I'm doing it again in 2010!
Loved your pictures! Thanks for sharing your pictures and thoughts!!!
p.s. I LOOOVE the idea of the blurb book! Might try that for 2011... haha... 2009 and 2010 I use the Becky Higgins kit but since I've gone digital I like the idea of putting it in a photo book.
Posted by: MaryRuth Francks | January 04, 2010 at 02:52 PM
Just recently found your blog. Your photos are FaBuLoUs!!! Absolute eye candy...and if I took pictures this great, I wouldn't stop either! :-) Maybe I should commit to 365..... I need the practice!
Posted by: Melissa | January 05, 2010 at 04:27 AM
Janet, I just wanted to let you know that your blog is one that I get most excited to see updated! You are truly one of the most inspirational people I have ever known. Almost every time I read your blog I am inspired in some way. To do something, start something new, think in a new way, and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Thank you for taking the time to share.
I'm totally doing the Blurb book this year! I think it will keep me inspired to see the project through. So simple, yet so awesome! What a treasure to have in our home. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Ashley | January 06, 2010 at 08:45 AM
Janet....so loved all the pics! I too finished project 365 (with a little cheating here and there, shh, don't tell...ha) and in the beginning started to put it on the blog, but then let that slide, this year I am hoping to change that. I really like what you do, with the album like that to the side, really cool, so I am hoping to post my pic a day on my blog and keep that going. You are inspiring me here! I will miss ya over at The Daily Digi but it's still one of my fav places to go to and without ever finding it, I wouldn't have found the digi way, so thanks for that!
When I think I just cannot do the digi way of scrapbooking, I just turn to your blog, and I am revamped! This past year of doing 365, I didn't think it would really represent our life like I have seen in chronological albums and the such, like I did back in the beginning with baby #1, but when my kids saw the pics, they were so excited and going through them all and it was "remember this" and "oh, look at this", and "I forgot about that", and "oh my how my hair has grown", you can imagine.
Then I knew, this is what it's all about, remembering the year in review. The looks on their faces was priceless and I knew I had to do it again.
I love the idea of the blurb book, I just may do that. That was another thing, what to do with the pics and comments about them. I have seen the 365 stuff out there, but just couldn't wrap my head around it. It just seems so busy looking.
Anyway, so glad for your great year and thanks for all the inspiration and guidance whether you knew you were giving it or not!
Posted by: Kim | January 06, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Thank you so much for sharing suggestions and inspiration for Project 365. This is my first year doing it, and I can't tell you how helpful everything you shared is! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Would you mind to share what your book cover will look like?
Posted by: Angyla | January 06, 2010 at 10:21 PM