Eight Months Into A 365 Photo Challenge

A daily photo challenge is a very personal experience and a gigantic challenge to commit to. In late December 2020, I decided to take on just the month of January every day. I loved it. The weather was dark and gray, often rainy, but I had some new tricks I wanted to practice, still life pieces I wanted to create, and the desire to have that tiny strand of purpose in the dead of winter. January became February became March, and I decided to continue committing to one month at a time. I told myself I could quit anytime I wanted to.

I’ve actually completed two previous 365 photo challenges, but the organization of the project was sub-par and if I’m completely honest with myself, they weren’t that good. I’ve been a photographer for ten years now, and I feel much more confident in the images I create. At the beginning of the year I actually completed my first year of teaching photography to a small, incredible group of people that fully believed in me. We spent most of 2020 doing weekly prompts to learn techniques that led to 2021 and learning to “see” more as artists. What better way than a daily photo challenge to help you?

All of my students began the project with me. For months we went through the ups and downs of trying to create something every day. It was tough, but we had one another to fall back on, to share our photos with, and ultimately determine whether or not we felt the desire to commit further. Some did, some didn’t. One of the most impactful conversations I had was about the downside of the 365 project. I actually didn’t think I would commit to the entire year, and only recently have I decided that I will actually finish, and it was thanks to this conversation that helped me work that out…What if the photos you take each day don’t serve you? What if you’re only taking photos to check off the daily task list, but they don’t contribute to the portfolio you need to make or the work you want to ultimately do behind the camera? I’ve definitely felt this way before and have been in that same place. When you’re aware enough to recognize that a daily photo challenge isn’t serving you and is too much pressure on your actual goals, it’s time to step aside and do what is best for you. If you’re snapping a photo of any random ole thing to say you did it, you aren’t contributing to the greater picture for yourself. However, if you’re able to mindfully create a photograph that does serve your larger body of work, then it can be a worthy cause to commit to.

It’s taken me three attempts to get to a point that I can create meaningful work for myself in the capacity of a daily photo challenge. There are photos I’m not too thrilled with, of course, those days will still happen, but the bigger picture is that most of what I take does make me happy. Or rather, it leads me to work that I’m proud of. It’s a chance to learn and build and create. I’ve given to experimenting with style, light, and honing my craft day by day.

Let’s see what the next four months have to offer. Think I can make it all the way?!