And just like that, I've completed the first month of my photo a day challenge. If you haven't heard of these challenges and are interested in documenting tidbits of your everyday, head over to Instagram. Search a few #hashtags like #my365, #photoaday, #photochallenge and #project365. You will see endless amounts of everyday life images.
I won't lie, I was hesitant at giving this a try again this year. I gave it a try a few years ago and didn't make it through the third month. Realistically, it is not hard at all, it's just something fun to add to your daily routine.
Here are a few tips on getting started:
1. You can start by joining a community on Instagram. Look through the #hashtags above and follow some daily prompts. If you're just getting started, the daily prompts make it much easier to come up with a photo of something during your busy day. You will soon realize that there is so much around you in your everyday that you don't even notice. You will see beauty in things you never did before.
3. Start a routine. If you pick certain times of the day that you get on Instagram, stick with it and post a photo from your day when it is convienient for you. It honestly only takes just a couple of minutes to snap the photo and post.
2. Give up on perfection! Let's face it, there are going to be days that you will not feel inspired at all. Everyone has good days and bad days. I've had several of both over the last month and convinced myself to keep going on the bad days. Just document something from your day and if you miss a day, oh well, you can catch up on the next day. Remember, you're documenting life. It's not perfect! It's okay to take that boring photo of your box of pencils.
4. Print your photos. The biggest reward to me is the end result. I will print a book of our entire year (366 days this year) and will have something for my family and I to look back on for years to come. I continue to print my monthly Chatbooks. It warms my heart every time I see my kids grab a stack of our Chatbooks and sit looking through page after page talking about our day each photo was taken.
It's never too late to get started! Why not start today? Search for a daily prompt list or start your own and post your first photo today. I've started the #hashtag #SYP365 to collect and organize my daily photos.
Come along and join the fun & inspiration! Follow me on Instagram @susanyatesphotography