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7 Photography Project Ideas 2013
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photography project ideas

Each year we make goals for our photography. I’ll touch on that more later but let’s talk about some a possible photography project you could take on in 2013.

By working on a photography project you can improve your photography for free. When I took on my first photography project in 2010, I would never have guessed that I would become obsessed love photography as much as I do. You can check out the photography project list from 2012.

Read how to start a photography blog as a place to document your photography project

Photography Project Ideas

1. Project 365
This is always the first photography project I suggest to anyone who asks for one. I completed a Project 365 in 2010 and it was by far the best thing I did for my photography. You can read more tips about completely a Project 365 – 11 tips for completing a Project 365 and Tips to make your Project 365 a success. Yes, taking a picture everyday for a whole year can be a challenge but it will be one you never regret doing.

2. Project 52
Unlike a Project 365, this is a photography project that you take one picture each week. If a 365 is too much of a commitment for you then a Project 52 may be more your style. The key is that you are continuing to take photos.

3. Re-do a Workshop
Have you taken a workshop in 2012?? Pull out your workshop material and re-do the assignments each week again. A bonus would be if you could find a couple of your old classmates to do it with. This is a great way to reinforce what you learned and make it become a part of your everyday photography.

4. Create a bucket list.
By sitting down and creating a bucket list of items you want to photograph, will prevent you from becoming bored and not knowing what to photograph. Take a few minutes to make a list of all the things you want to capture in 2013.

5. Complete creative exercises
I have several creative exercises on Click it Up a Notch that you could work on one a month. By working on creative exercises you are forced to shoot outside your comfort zone. This is great to help you figure out what you do and don’t love to photograph. I will try to create a new creative challenge each month so keep checking back to get the latest one.

6. Work on a specific skill
Similar to the bucket list, make a list of skills you want to learn and tackle. Then focus on each one of those skills each week. There are countless resources online for you to find a new skill. Obviously, we have a ton here but you can find other ones on Pinterest and by googling different skills.

7. Tackle different types of lighting
We can get comfortable working with same type of light. Tackle natural light – 45 degree, split lighting, backlighting and work on dramatic light. Use different light sources like refrigerator light, bathroom light, iPad light. The possibilities are endless. Focus on one a week. You can find more posts on lighting here.

18 Comments
  • December 31, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Thank you for posting this! I have been searching for a place to share my project with others.

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 8:44 PM

      I’m glad to hear that!! Good luck!!

  • December 31, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Fantastic tips!

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 8:44 PM

      Thank you ma’am :)

  • December 31, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    I started a Project 365 today, because I wanted to try your tips on using manual settings. I came across the post on Pinterest the other day. Your tips made all the difference! I think I really just needed someone to tell me which setting to choose first. That did the trick! My son and I played backgammon this morning, so I played with depth of field and focusing and recomposing as I took pictures of the game. So much fun. Thank you. It’s going to be a great year for this novice photographer.

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 8:45 PM

      I’m so glad to hear you are tackling manual mode and a Project 365!! What an exciting year you have ahead of you!!

      • January 7, 2013 at 11:02 PM

        After more than a week, I can report that the interplay between various settings is really making sense, and I’m looking for photo opportunities everywhere. I have a Canon Powershot G12, but I think I’ll be ready for a Canon EOS Rebel T4i by Christmas 2013. So much fun!

        • Courtney
          January 11, 2013 at 9:30 PM

          Yay!! How exciting :)

  • December 31, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    Welcome to Philly Social Media Moms.

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 8:45 PM

      Thank you so much!!

  • Amanda Powell
    December 31, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    I have just completed my first Project 365 today using my iPhone. I’m excited to start another one for 2013 using my dslr camera. Where can I publish my pictures at (besides Facebook)?

    • Courtney
      January 7, 2013 at 8:47 PM

      Congrats on finishing your first 365! Mmmm…have you thought about starting a blog or Flickr account??

  • Carol
    December 7, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    I am 3 weeks away from completing a 52 week photo project which I started in January 2013, because of the above suggestions on your blog. It will make a nice keep sake of the year and my Facebook friends and family seem to have enjoyed the photos. My blog is scripturepicture.blogspot.ca – I have indeed become much more familiar with my camera and the photos taken in the last year were all done on a manual setting. Thanks for all of your suggestions – I really enjoy how you share with us.

    • December 9, 2013 at 2:43 PM

      That is awesome you have almost completed a 52 week! Way to go!

  • July 2, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    Thanks for the great ideas!!!

  • November 28, 2014 at 2:16 AM

    Hi, Courtney! I have found your web a few weeks ago and love all you do fo us (photographers and bloggers). I just want to say THANK you! I have printed your Blog planner 2015. ) Going to make blog refresh next year! xoxo, Tatiana from Russia

    • December 2, 2014 at 3:07 PM

      Oh wonderful! thank you for purchasing the planner :) Best of luck!

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