When I am not professionally photographing families and children, I love to photograph my everyday. I love to take photos of the ordinary things that make up my day and my life. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have a photo of a Starbucks cup, or a few, in my gallery. And that’s because I just love to photograph my reality. To me, photography is simply a visual journal where I tell my story. I just tell it through pictures instead of writing it down. Today I am sharing what things inspire my photographer eye. I will share what things make me scramble for my camera and think, “I have to photograph that!”
Read more – Photograph your everyday moments of your kids.
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The use of everyday objects.
First of all, when photographing my everyday, I love to take something that is ordinary and make it extraordinary! Like cooking. Cooking is such an ordinary and everyday task. But through photography, cooking can look so much more fun and very beautiful. I love finding ways to portray things differently.
To make an everyday object artistic.
In the image above, I was telling a story about making chicken noodle soup on a cold day. Instead of waiting until my soup was done and taking a picture of my warm bowl, I took a different spin on the task and photographed the moment before I started cooking, using my Lensbaby.
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No.01The use of color.
Something that always inspires my photography is pops of color. While I was placing an item into my Target cart one day, I noticed just how vibrant those red carts were compared to the white grocery store floor. The color just popped! It’s things like color that have me grabbing for my camera so I can photograph it. Even though I was doing an ordinary task of running an errand to the store, I was able to photograph it in a way that put a more exciting spin on my outing.
Pops of color can be found in everything from fruits to nature to decor and it’s something that definitely inspires me when photographing my everyday.
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No.02The use of texture.
Whether it is a soft new sweater or the sand beneath my toes, texture is another element that also grabs my eye. While I was out on a walk, the texture of the chain link fence in the photo above caught my eye and had me digging through my camera bag for my camera. As I lowered my aperture on my Sigma 50mm f.14 lens, I was able to capture the cold and rough texture of the metal fence as well as the creamy and soft texture of the nature that surrounds it.
I love to challenge myself to create opposing textures all in one photograph.
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No.03The use of you!
That’s right, I said you! Don’t be afraid to hop in the frame! One of my goals this year is to be more intentional about getting in front of the camera, instead of just being behind it! As photographers, we are always looking through the lens instead of being the subject of the lens. In the photo above, I noticed that our bedroom window was getting good light so I took that opportunity to grab the tripod and set the self-timer on my Nikon. I ended up missing the focus, but I fell in love with the photo. And I was actually in the photo, for a change! I am one who would rather be taking the pictures than have their picture taken, so when I do hop in the frame I really like to take a creative spin on a self-portrait.
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No.04The use of light.
Whether it is indoors or outdoors, I am a lover of light and I find myself chasing after it! And when it is just right, you will find me with my camera ready to go. I only use natural light when photographing indoors, so when I see prime window light I take the opportunity to do anything and everything with it. Sometimes it is as simple as setting my morning drink up on the windowsill.
Other times, I love to photograph how light plays on everyday objects. I love how the light creates subtle, yet apparent shadows on my coat. It has a way of bringing a stationary object to life, as the shadows emphasize the wrinkles around the sleeves from being well worn. Keep in mind that light not only beautifully brightens your photographs, but it can also create an emotion.
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No.05The use of repetition and patterns.
Repetition is something that definitely catches my eye. Whether is it the repetitious lines of the parking spaces in a parking lot or the row of lockers in a school hallway, repetition is all around us. Even in our homes there are patterns in the design of our wood floors or on the spindles of our staircase. You can even create them in your photographs and it can be as simple as lining up a row a pumpkins before clicking the shutter button.
These are just a few of the things that inspire me to photograph my everyday and what things I look for before picking up my camera. Sometimes I have a plan of what I would like to photograph, and sometimes I simply stumble upon some inspiration while I am going about my day. And to be honest, it is the unplanned moments that have made the best photographs.
One thing I have definitely learned is to keep my camera handy at all times. This means always having it in my bag when I leave the house, or keeping it on the side table in the living room. You never know when inspiration is going to come to you. And trust me, when your puppy jumps down into a pile of pillows and gives you a cute look, you will be glad your camera was on the table next to the couch instead of buried in your camera bag!
For me, it is all about the challenge of finding beauty in my everyday, no matter what I am doing or where I am. And if you think about it, that’s actually also a pretty great life lesson to live by! Beauty is everywhere, so just look around! To follow along with me as I document my everyday, join me on Instagram!
Love your everyday photo’s, very inspiring. I find I look at life through a lens, there is always an opportunity to take photographs :)
yes! i definitely agree!
Every day photos are so fun. It gives you a reason to photograph even when you don’t have anything planned. I especially love how you said that you can make something ordinary extraordinary in a pictures. It’s all about the details to me. Great post! I’ll definitely use your tips! X
thanks so much, eline!
Love this post! I just started a 365 project, so am now constantly looking for things to photograph. Last night I was making dinner & happened to look at my kitchen window… the orange sunset created silhouettes of the tree branches outside & looked amazing through the blinds. I went running for my camera (and my kids instantly started yelling “CHEESE”). I normally photography people, so focusing on everyday objects is definitely stepping out of my photography comfort zone. It’s wonderfully liberating! Thanks for some great tips.
that is so cute that your kids automatically say “cheese!” when they see your camera! how funny! it you are looking for prompts to help inspire your daily photo, you are welcome to joining me in >>the bethadilly challenge<<, where i give daily prompts to inspire you on days when you don't know what to photograph! details are on http://www.bethadilly.com! great job on your 365! you will do amazing!!
LOVE this! I’ve been trying to do more photographing of everyday life, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out a way to do so that’s now boring. There are some great ideas here – thanks!
you are very welcome! everyday photography can be so fun!! have fun with it!
These photos are beautiful in their simplicity. This is a great tutorial, a fun read and wonderful eye candy! Thank you!
thank you so much for the kindness! and you are very welcome!
This one makes me dig my buried camera. You so awesome!
thank you, kris! have fun with your photography!
great post,great images too, i love the boka and the use of the wide open ape…thx
thank you, natan! i really enjoy creating images with low aperture and bokeh!
Beautiful photos – really need to take more everyday pictures! I love the bag in the pictures – is it a camera bag?
Thanks!
Rose
thank you, rose! actually the brown bag isn’t a camera bag. it was a gift, but i know it was from etsy!
I love this post, and I love looking at Beth-a-dilly’s 365 photos. I struggle with finding ways to capture everyday items in an interesting way – one of the main reasons for my failed attempt at a 365 project. I’m hoping to try a less daunting 52 week challenge, however.
thank you, chanel! sometimes it is definitely hard to find inspiration in everyday objects, but try playing around with your angles and perspective! for example, set a coffee cup on the table and then take a picture of it close up, then far away, from the top, from the side, etc. sometimes just changing up your angles and perspective can spark a little inspiration!! it’s something quick and easy that i do when i am a little uninspired with my subject. :)
I love reading your texts on the site clickitupanotch . I’m in love with its beautiful images, which are always filled with lots of light and beauty. I’m from Brazil and I photograph a few years. But I’m always in search of more knowledge. Before believed you only use his Iphone. But today I read that also uses his tripod and Nikon . I would like to know more about his creative process .. I know that you always talk about it in clickitupanotch.Se you allow can ask what editing tools you use. Some APP that facilitates the publication of its beautiful images. I wish I could do a project 365 days. Loved your !! But have not found a way to have this routine . :(
hello alexandra! for my nikon photos, i use lightroom to edit! if you are looking for editing apps on the iphone, i really like the “pic tap go” app! hope this helps!
Love your pictures and most the one with you in it! thank you for the inspiration!
awe, thank you silvina! i am really trying to be more intentional about getting in front of the camera this year!! happy you enjoyed the article!
Thanks for the great tips and ideas! I’m on day 24 of a 365 day challenge, and man oh man the lack of sunshine in the state of Wisconsin is making this a much greater challenge than I anticipated. :) I love reading your ideas and appreciate your gentle encouragement! Thank you!
hello rachel! i am so glad you enjoyed the article! congrats on your success with your photography project, that is so awesome!! i agree about the low winter light, i am so excited for spring! it does bring a new challenge when photographing since there is limited light, but you’ll learn a lot too! best of luck on your project!
Beth, you make the everyday look extraordinary. I’m one month into my second 365 project. Thanks for the inspiration to try something a little different.
you are very welcome, nikki! so glad you were inspired by this post! i am in one month of my second 365 too!!! have a wonderful day!
Nice post, good advice and really great pictures. Well done
thank you so much for the kindness, dean!
Oh my gosh totally amazing suggestions!!! I love the getting in front of your lens. That is something I really do not do enough of. :(
thank you, dina! getting in front of the lens is something i don’t do enough of either, but i am trying to make a goal to do it at least once a month! i feel like i learn so much when i get in front of the lens!
“One thing I have definitely learned is to keep my camera handy at all times. This means always having it in my bag when I leave the house, or keeping it on the side table in the living room. ”
I agree completely. I used to put my camera back in its bag every time after using it and then when I would see a possible shot, missed it or did not want to go through the struggle of getting it back out. Last year I started keeping it out all the time and found myself using it more since it was easily accessible. Now I am not missing shots.
exactly! i am glad that you are no longer missing those photographic opportunities!!
This article is just what I needed to read tonight. I’m currently taking an evening photography class and to be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed with it all and feel slightly out of my depth, particularly on the creative side of things. But seeing your photo’s here have inspired me to not give up! Thanks so much, I adore your photography :)
yay, liz! so happy to have inspired you! thanks for the kindness!
I loved this post, and made me think back to my 365 challenge I did a few years ago. It really helped me to learnt to capture the little every day moments and now I’m thinking that perhaps I should pick it up again in 2016! I could be crazy, but it was certainly fun!
thank you! yes, the project can get crazy, but it is definitely rewarding in the end!
Your site is so full of revelations for me! Thank you for reminding us that we are all creators all the time – it only takes our wanting to do it. I’ve taken a page out of your Everyday Photo’ing suggestions and am really having a blast. In fact, I was surprised to find a chain link fence in my neighborhood this morning and ‘stole like the artist’ I am! (Read that book about three yrs ago and love it!) This a.m.’s image is very similar to your shot of the fence. I didn’t set out to actually COPY it, but other than being darker, it looks pretty close. (o: Very fun to see things from different angles than usual. You are an inspiration!
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So happy you are enjoying the tutorials, Carol! Yes, I love how photography encourages us to look at the beauty in all things…even fences!
So the saying is the best camera is the one you have with you. In that light, do you find yourself photographing your everyday more with your DSLR or phone? I’ve always had a point-and-shoot camera for those times when you can’t lug a camera bag, but have accepted my phone as a substitute (and honestly, it takes better pictures! My 9 yr old has taken the old camera as his own.)
Hey Suzi! I find that I use my DSLR more than my iPhone, but I definitely agree that the iPhone takes some really great pictures and it is so convenient because you always have it with you!