The Value of A Personal Project
PHOTO CHALLENGE | Seek inspiration and keep taking and sharing one photo per day.
“Photography is an art, not unlike learning an instrument. The only way to get better is with daily, deliberate practice. If you want to improve your technique, if you want to find your voice, if you want to explore different styles, you need to practice and practice and practice. The more you shoot, the more shooting becomes intuitive.” - Jen Bilodeau
A personal photography project creates a unique and inspiring body of work created one day at a time for the duration you choose. Maybe you’ve heard of or seen first-hand the way photographers have transformed their work through their commitment to daily shooting, and maybe you feel yourself longing for something new to further your craft.
There’s value in consistency and creating a strong portfolio, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shoot for yourself. It’s okay to shoot in whatever genre you want and label yourself or not. There is so much to be said for daily deliberate practice, and daily photo challenges can be one of the most most transformative projects a photographer can take on.
If there’s one tip I can suggest, put all the photos you take dedicated to your daily photo challenge in one folder. You can check your progress at a glance, then see the collective work when you’ve completed. Be proud of your commitment, what you create, and your growth.
One of my personal struggles in daily photo-taking is feeling like an image isn’t strong enough. There are days when it takes everything in me to pick up my camera and give solid effort to what I’m making. And if I fall short, my whole self feels it, it’s like a personal let down that I couldn’t do better. When I’m feeling this way (and it happens a lot), I look through saved photos on my Instagram, Pinterest, or a simple Internet search to see if something stands out or motivates me. I can’t tell you how many times this has shifted a mediocre photo to being something I’m a bit more proud of. If you don’t already save photos that inspire you, START NOW.
As you pick up your camera each day, remember that you decide the rules for your project. You have the choice to go wherever your inspiration takes you. This is also a chance to practice different genres of photography if you feel like maybe you’re out of things to shoot. Go for a walk down your street, through the city, consider macro, floral, still life, or even get out for sunrise and sunset.
Lastly and most importantly, don’t stress about creating a portfolio worthy image every day. Simply feel the moment, look for what inspires you, and capture it as best as you can in that day. Each day is a new day and a new opportunity to create. Take it one day, one photo at a time.