As photographers, we naturally value the importance of a photograph. Behind every photograph, there is a story to be told and a memory to be shared. That is exactly why a Project 365 is a great way to challenge yourself as a photographer and also collect memories.
One photograph every day can seem overwhelming. Don’t worry because we have just the help you need to complete this challenging, but rewarding task of a Project 365.
Table to Contents
What is Project 365?
Simply put Project 365 is a year long photography challenge to take one photo every day for 365 days. You, your camera, and your life.
Rules or no rules, it’s your choice
Some people like to follow a guideline for the year to give them ideas or motivation. If you do prefer that you can look on Pinterest or Google for hundreds of ideas. Or you can create your own list! With that being said, you don’t have to follow any rules at all if that’s not your vibe.
Anyone can do a Project 365
Anyone can do this fun project. It doesn’t require a special camera or have a specific set of rules. You can use whatever you have available, the goal is to take a different picture every day of the year.
Read more: How to Start a 365 Project
Why I decided to do a Project 365
I made a resolution to document my life as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. After reading about the Project 365, I quickly decided that was the perfect way to carry out.
To document my every day life
The best thing I did when I started this project was to not make any rules. I simply wanted to take a photo of my life every day.
To me, documenting life isn’t about capturing only the big events (birthdays, trips to the zoo, holidays, etc.).
Focus on the joy
It’s about capturing the everyday moments. No matter how simple the day may be.
Read how to start a photography blog as a place to document your 365 photography project.
11 Tips for completing a Project 365
1. There are no rules
Worrying about themes, perfect pictures, and shooting solely with a DSLR every day may not be realistic for you. Make YOUR Project 365 realistic for YOU. On the other hand if you are a rule follower and that helps you, then you do you!
Read more: Learn more about starting Project 365
2. Taking one photo a day will make you a better photographer
Doing just that forces you to build a strong relationship with your camera gear and to get creative. Taking a photo every day will help you even if you are using a point-and-shoot camera or camera phone. You will learn to pay attention to lighting and the right moment to press the shutter button.
3. Connect with others who have taken on a 365 project
By following fellow 365 bloggers and/or Instagram accounts you will inspire and be inspired. Another benefit is that you will also meet some wonderful people along the way.
Having a friend do it with you is a great way to keep each other accountable and encouraged. Find yourself a good cheerleader and get going!
4. Make a list of things you want to photograph
Some days you will feel less than motivated about picking up your camera, this list will light the spark and give you ideas to keep going. I referred to my list many times this year.
Read my #1 tip for completing a Project 365
5. Take your camera everywhere
I know it might feel weird at first to take a photograph in the everywhere. You’d be surprised that people will more likely strike up conversation with you and not just give you a funny look. The more you take your camera, the less uncomfortable it will be.
6. Jot down a little bit about every day
Get a calendar, planner or journal. I have a planner that I write EVERYTHING in. Birthdays and events are in there, of course. But I also add what we did that day like “Took kids on a walk. Beautiful fall day.” Things your kids say or do are also document-worthy.
When the calendar is done or the journal is all filled in, KEEP IT! Chances are your children and grandchildren will cherish your written words some day.
7. Post your Project 365 pictures
This can be on Instagram, Facebook, or a blog. Whatever is your platform, use it. This will encourage you so much since family and friends will be able to cheer you on, or just brag a little bit.
If you keep a blog, make posting a picture a part of your daily routine.
You will quickly get into your groove and find posting to be a fairly quick (and rewarding) process.
8. It’s okay to miss a day
There may be days that you just can’t take a picture and/or post your picture. Life happens. Give yourself grace and try again the next day. Studies show it’s harder to keep a habit if you miss two days in a row. You can always use a different picture from another day if you need to.
Read more: 6 Ways to Stay Motivated with a Photography Project
9. Start Project 365 any day of the year
There are no rules that say you have to start this project on January 1st. Start it on your birthday or your child’s birthday or Valentine’s day or ANY day. The point is to document a year in your life.
10. Go back and see your progress
If you every feel like you are in a rut, go through all the photos you’ve already taken. This is encourage you to keep going and show all the progress you have made in your photography journey.
11. Create a tangible book of your completed Project 365
I already have visions of sharing this book with my family for many, many years to come. Becky Higgins has created an amazing product – Project Life It was created for the Project 365. The materials are of high quality and the end result is absolutely beautiful.
I’ve also included a fun and unique project to The Ultimate Gift Guide of the Best Gifts for Photographers called The Adventure Challenge. This would help inspire you and give you a tangible book of images!
Let’s be real
Have I blogged every day? Not so much. Are all of my pictures in albums? Nope. Did my camera just sit on a shelf some days? A few. Some days I take hundreds of pictures with my “big” camera and other days I manage only a quick snap with my cell phone.
I’m not beating myself up about this. What IS important to me is that I continue to capture and document my life, as imperfect and real as it is.
Read about one of my incomplete 365 Projects: What I learned from quitting my project 365
Why it matters
Documenting my life has truly been one of the most rewarding things that I have ever accomplished… besides marrying my husband and bringing my children into the world, or course.
I have captured my babies reading a book together, sunsets, birthday candles, weddings, bare feet, my husband napping with one of our children, blue skies, reflections, messy faces, new life, awesome sun flare, folded laundry, dew on the grass, ugly slippers, laughter, tears, runny noses, and toys scattered everywhere.
It is my life and a life that I am so thankful for.
If there is anything that I have learned about photographing my daily life, it is this…
Life is too precious to let the days go by unnoticed. Every day has significance. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
More Project 365 Tips
Tips to Make your Project 365 a Success
6 Tips to Help you Complete your 365
365 Photography Project Tips
Shannon Heimsoth – Guest Post
Shannon Heimsoth is a natural light family and child photographer, born and raised in a small town in northern Illinois. Currently, Shannon shoots with a Canon 5DII and 50 f/1.4.
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Shannon, I remember you from 2010 as I did my 365 project that year as well. I loved following you! I was always inspired by your vision. You are amazing that you keep going each year! My favorite part of this post is that you said it’s ok to skip a day once in awhile and there’s no rules. I started one up again last month and I’m way behind in posting, but life happens. You’ve re-inspired me to keep going as it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done! Will you continue on for 2013?
Jen, I believe she has started it again. You can find it at her site – http://www.shannonjoy.com/
Thank you for this timely article. I just posted about reevaluating my goals for the coming year. Your words were spot on and reflect my attitude toward the 365 project so it was very much like listening to myself talk through it. I’m convinced and will continue with a 365 project for 2013.
So glad this post spoke to you!! It inspired me as well!!
Great article Shannon! I started another 365 in November (sort of) I’ve missed a few days and I’m behind blogging, but I’ve got the pictures! I’d love to follow you in 2013! :)
Looks like we may have our little 2010 group together again :) Now, we just need Karren to do it!
LOVE these tips! One of my goals for 2013 is to become more knowledgeable with my camera/shooting, and to take photos everyday. Looking forward to reading through your older posts to help get me started….. and looking forward to being a regular reader in 2013. Happy New Year!!
Welcome!! Taking daily photos really does make a difference! Let me know if you have any questions along your journey!!
Thank you! i was just having my freak out about starting one this year! My goal is that it will help me think out of the box more and improve my skills with lighting and coping with horrible lighting situations :)
I love every post on this site, you guys don’t understand how much you’ve helped me grow <3
Good Luck to everybody else doing this! I will be sure to try and follow everybody!
Thank you for your sweet words! I’m so glad you found this post and all the other ones helpful!! If you take on a 365 I have no doubt you will learn more and achieve those goals of yours!!
Great tips! I am really inspired to start my own project after reading these tips. I tried it once in the past and only lasted a couple months.
You can do it!! If you want others to encourage you along the way feel free to link up your site – http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
Love the tips! I started this after I got my iPhone a few months ago. Right now my greatest struggle is figuring out what to photograph, every time my daughter sees me pull my camera out she hides :(
Yes, finding a subject is difficult. One of the best pieces of advice I got in photography by Sarah Wilkerson is…Find the light first, then find the subject. You would be amazed how even a stick looks interesting in great light!
Thanks for the great tips!
I saw you like to jot down daily happenings – there are cute little books that are set up so you can jot down what happens every day for 5 years. I got one when my son was born and it’s been super cute. It’s made to just jot down something quick (http://www.amazon.com/One-Line-Day-Five-Year-Memory/dp/0811870197)
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Thanks for sharing that!!
What an absolute honor it was to be featured on your website, Courtney! So glad that this article helped and encouraged others to try doing daily or weekly photography project :). Hope 2013 brings much joy for all <3.
Thank you for writing it!! You have inspired so many of us!
Thank you Shannon for sharing your photography with all of us. This is a wonderful way to document life. You are so talented. What a blessing you are to your husband, children, and especially the family at ROCK. Love all your photos of the kids. Happy New Year! I am inspired by you, always!
She is pretty fantastic :)
Are there any guidelines for the 365 challenges? (For example, the 30 day challenges say Day 1: scarf, Day 2: yourself, etc) Or do you just take a picture of whatever you want?
Hi Lindsay :)
I really have no guidelines :). I just shoot every day. And sometimes I get behind in posting. Like now. Oops :). Anyway, there are lots of monthly photography challenges out there. When I find myself stuck in a rut, I find a monthly challenge and that usually does the trick to boost my creativity. If you are on pinterest, I have several challenges pinned if you need some inspiration :). http://pinterest.com/shannonjoy11/photography/
Hi my name is Nicole, I am extremely interested in taking my beginner photography skills to the next level. The 365 project sounds like a lot of fun. How do I get started?
Thank you!
Nicole
Hey Nicole!
You can start by taking a photo every day. You can start a blog or Flickr account or just share them on Facebook. We have a page of people doing the 365 if you want some others to follow along. http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
Hello! My name is Maria and I just found your site and it has been tremendously helpful. After a few years of hearing me complain about the limitations of our small point and shoot, my husband got me my first dslr for my birthday 3 weeks ago. I am really interested in the project 365 since I am just getting started and I know it would help me a lot. I would also love some of the insight and input that others may have for me in the process. But, I have never blogged before, can I link up with some of the others via facebook or Flickr (never used Flickr before, either)?
Hey Maria!
How exciting that you got a new camera and want to take on a Project 365. Yes, you can link up here – http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
Oops, just re-read that. You can’t link up Facebook but you can link up a Flickr account :)
I am NEW to blogging~! Just created my blog and posted my 1st picture. I want to view other bloggers pics, but not sure how to do it. Suggestions
Yay! Congrats. YOu can see others doing the project here – http://clickitupanotch.com/project-365-and-project-52-link-up/
I love this idea! I just started a blog and I will and try to do this 365 project. I really like your approach, no pressure, just do what you can. In the past this project stressed me out and it became un-fun so I’d quit. Now I am going to take it easy and do what I can and just enjoy it!
Here’s my dilemma, I am a middle aged photographer … empty nester… it’s me, my husband and my mother living together… My grandchildren are 4hr and 15 hrs away… I am a photographer… but as far as my life goes… what in the world would I take photographs of ? I’d love to do something like this if for no other reason than to leave my kids someday…but what would I shoot ?
Confused Carri
You can focus on street photography, nature, food, do you have a pet? Buy a bouquet each week and photograph that one day. Take a walk and photograph what you see. Go for a drive and look at how the sun hits the trees and photograph it. Don’t get discouraged because you don’t have small kids at home. The whole world is waiting for you to capture it :)
I love photographing my family and pets, but I find that if we are out I am drawn to shooting stained glass windows in churches, why you ask, I have absolutely no idea!! :) I think I just love that every window tells a story.
Just find your niche and run with it. I have discovered in trying to find what I like that I have found what I DON’T like photographing and what conditions I dislike. I love natural light, I don’t like flash, I personally don’t enjoy street photography but I admire the shots others post.
Its fun, I just have to remember to grab my camera every time I leave the house but the days I left it sitting at the front door, I pulled my iPhone out and used that :)
Do you have a blog ? Thats a fun way to challenge yourself, start the 365 day challenge, it doesn’t need to begin on January 1st, it can begin today, I’m doing it, its a challenge but its fun :)
Thanks Courtney… You’re right… I get so caught up in photography work and life that I think I forgot to enjoy it…. I’m going to get the excitement back… Thanks more than you know….
Carri
Wow such an inspiring post!! I too want to document/capture my everyday life with husband, kids and blessings. So true, that one day our kids and grand kids would be seeing their early life in pictures n words.
Thank you for such an awe inspiring post!!
Epsita from ‘The Positive Window’
epsita.blogspot.com
Hi, Your pictures look SO amazing! Even with a lot of practice, I have dslr Canon 7d !! I still need help and tips, so thank you. Now i am learning a lot of tricks Step-By-Step from Top Secret Photography Tutorials, If anyone want to learning from yourself to figure out your unique photography style then check photography Masteclass
Thank you for the wonderful tips about photography. I bought Canon 7d last month. I would like to know what do you think about the Canon 7d? I still need help and tips and where i should learning photography?? please advise me.
Dear Courtney
I am now following your blog n i love it n thanks for it
In this session i would like to ask about make a back up list..
I don’t understand .. Can you make an example?
Thanks for this! I am doing a photo challenge and quite frankly am bored and it feels forced. Prompts are being repeated too often and it doesn’t feel like it fits into my life. I like the freedom your idea gives. I can photograph what I want to. Thanks. :)
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Excellent article on one of the fastest growing types of personal photography. I especially like the tip on weekly themes. I think if you can include something about what is going on in your life or the world, we would be a great way to remind you and others later. For example if you’re having a wedding and shopping for items, take a photo of you and each item you like most on a particular day. It would be great to see everything at the end and how your tastes or “themes” progress.
Great idea :)
The photo 365 project is a great idea, and these are some fantastic tips. Number 3 is the most important; all too often we hesitate in the face of opportunity or, more likely, we are just too damn lazy to do anything about it at all. Besides with an undertaking like this you need every opportunity you can get. Good post!
Hello. I like be this article. Everyday is something different when littles are in the mix. What would you suggest as a 365 project for those that don’t have babies running around?
So inspiring, so true, so amazing and well said! Thank you!