I’m a big fan of photography projects. As someone who wrapped up my first 365 back in April, and stepped into an even bigger daily challenge THE VERY NEXT DAY, I have seen the benefits of having a project on which to focus your attention and your lens. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks of life, and let the camera(s) lie there untouched, shutter silent. But having a project to work on regularly keeps your cameras from feeling abandoned and helps you growing and deepening your photography.
I also believe that having a photography project to work on helps keep us happy. Here’s an example. I was talking with a dear friend and fellow photographer the other day and she was lamenting to me about how she hadn’t been shooting and wasn’t using her still new-ish film camera. Her full-time job has been kicking her ass, and then after work, there are other parts of life that keep her time maxed out (you know, partner, kids, errands, blah, blah, blah). She felt bummed out that she hadn’t been shooting, something that she enjoys and is just for her. So, I suggested that she shoot just ONE photo a day on that still new-ish camera. Just one. I told her that I knew she could take one photo a day. It didn’t have to be epic, simply one photo that she took (i.e., the coffee mug will suffice as a subject!). Later that same day, she Instagrammed a photo of her buying film and tagged me in it to let me know she was taking a step. And even that helped her feel better. Then taking one photo a day, just one, is turning the tide on her mood. Because now she’s not “not shooting” and she’s not abandoning that new-ish camera. And, more importantly, she’s not neglecting herself. (Plus, look at that beauty of a camera she has!)
Here are some photography projects that I have found inspiring of late…
Hailey Bartholomew focused her photography project on taking a photo every day of something for which she was grateful. Her personal pet project, 365 Gratefuls, is now a book and becoming a film. WOW!
Ardelle Neubert, a photographer in Calgary, Canada, is working to creatively photograph her sons (most days!). She is aiming to capture both the big and the smaller moments of their daily lives together. A simple project that gets her shooting daily, and appreciating her family.
Our own Urban Muser has a collaborative project, Me & You {52}, a mobile photography based project using the letters of the alphabet and an associated word as a prompt. Here is one of her photos, “E is for Eye.”
As for me, I’m taking a self-portrait every day for a year with one of my vintage Polaroid cameras using instant film from the IMPOSSIBLE Project. Here’s Day 44…
There are LOTS of photography projects to dive into. If you’re not currently working on a project and need a photographic boost, I hope this post gives you a kickstart to get going and gives you some ideas. And if you are currently working on a project, tell us about it in the comments! We’d love to hear what you’re doing and you might help inspire fellow readers to take a photographic journey for themselves.
Meghan of Life Refocused
Oh, how do I love projects!!! They are fun and they make me explore new things.
I am currently in my second Project 365. And thanks so the collaboration month here in Mortal Muses I am doing a diptych project based on the colors of Laduree, the famous French macaroons, with another reader. I am also taking part in the Indisposable Concept this week together with another photography friend (thanks MM for letting me know about Indisposable). And last but not least I’m working on a monthly self-portrait project based on the quotes on Yogi Teas. Sounds like a lot, but it’s spread and soooo much fun!
I love all of your projects, Caro! So awesome and inspiring!
Meghan ~ I’m working on a book project. I agree with you that projects = happiness and focus. They also bring structure to life that helps to get things accomplished!
An Impossible image a day sounds like fun 🙂 Wonderful symbolism in your piece!
I’m glad that you have also found that projects bring happiness and focus! What kind of book project are you working on?
A collection of my close-up and macro images. It’s enjoyable to revisit, analyze, and choose the strongest pieces that also harmonize with each other.
yes, yes yes. I know I have grown so much because of the last 2 (and a half) years of a 365. This year’s self portrait journey keeps me on my creative toes and pushes me to continue to see myself and my surroundings new every day.
And haven’t you found that after doing a 365, it feels like something is totally off if you aren’t shooting that very next day? It’s that habit and ritual that I love.
i totally agree on projects!!! i am on my third 365. well actually it’s 2 365’s together. one is shot with anything EXCEPT my phone and the other is phone only.
the first 365 i did was amazing and i learned so much and i know that the act of shooting every day made me happier.
during the second 365 i lost my way. i was sad and not handling some issues in my life well. and, in stopping, it made me sadder still. things did get better and i got back into the swing and i learned more about myself. i learned how important it is for me to take that shot.
this third one i am doing lots of film shots. one of my problems (oh there are sooo many) is that i am obsessive about stuff. and, with this particular 365, i am forcing myself to have extremely loose rules: the pic of the day only needs to have been taken with the last 1 to 2 weeks. it might be an odd thing, but seeing as i am shooting so much film it works for me. and it helps keep the obsessivenes at bay — well, a bit. that is reserved for the iphone shots which i insist must be done on the day.
anyways, i need a project, i need to pull myself out of myself sometimes and i know that i will feel better when i shoot. so the commitment is so important to me because, left to my own devices, i am a total lazy thing.
loved this piece!!!!!
Meghan, I love this! I’m in the middle of my diptych 365 and finding it difficult to imagine I have another six months to go, but reading this makes me realise it will be worth it! x
I have no shortage of ideas for projects, it’s just pulling the trigger that’s hard! Soon. I will start something soon. And now I just made that a public statement so I have to follow through!
I love hearing about everyone’s projects here! I’m still plugging along with my Coffee shot in the morning and keeping track of my mobile 365 as well. I’m working my way through my polaroid 365, but it’s down to just a few days a week now…cost of film plus so many wasted shots have me rationing myself a little more than i did in the beginning, but for me that’s still going strong. I’ll be shooting my week for the Indispoable Concept over my birthday and have a pile of film waiting to be developed too! Awesome post Meghan!
I thought I wanted to share my experience as well, since it’s completely different from all yours. As much as I love to follow other people’s photography projects such as 365, I have just realized that they are not for me. I tried doing them twice. Last time was at the beginning of this year, and it lasted for several months. It was fun in the beginning, but then it became more of an obligation, and it turned out to be so bad for my creativity. Contrary to what many people feel, I lost the joy of taking photos, it became something I HAD to do every day rather than something I WANTED to do. In the end, after the quality of my photos had really declined because I didn’t feel for it, I decided to throw in the towel and abandon the project. It was such a relief and my creativity immediately started to bloom again. I really admire those of you who manage to carry out these kinds of project. People may think that taking one photo each day can’t be that big a deal, but it sure is, especially when you want some kind of red line to go through the series, if not in terms of content, then at least in terms of style and quality. It’s not easy at all, so to all of you doing these projects: Keep up the good work!
PS: I’m not a big commenter, but I just wanted to point out once again how much I love Mortal Muses and how much inspiration you provide me with. It’s such a thrill reading so many different kinds of posts in here. Thank you!
Meghan, Thanks for the inspiration kick! I always enjoy reading about other photographer’s projects and processes and although I’m working on a mobile 365 project already, I’m tempted to start a new weekly film project…