Let's Try A 365 Project?

It's almost the new year. Would you consider doing a 365 project? I tried one a few years back, 365 self-portraits! I didn't even finish, but I did over 100 days and learned so much. Here's a little about my experience... 

365 self-portraits sounds really crazy and vain, right? Yea, it kinda does. But, to be fair, 365 of pretty much anything sounds like a lot. That's the cool thing about the project it's completely overwhelming in the big picture, yet every individual day is totally doable! 

I enjoyed my 365 challenge. I took it when I was going through a tough season in my life. I was newly single and really wanting to become a better photographer. I had good days and bad days. I missed days. But after the first few months I noticed that I had a new habit of bringing my camera with me more often. I was trying new things. A 365 challenge forces you to be creative. After I used all of my obvious self-portrait ideas I branched out and started trying new angles, new lighting and weirder ideas. Many of the skills I learned proved useful in other photography situations. Bottom line, the challenge kick started my photography hobby and helped me take it to a new level. It was fun, fulfilling and I had fun connecting with others (via Flickr.com) who were taking the same challenge! 

Sound fun? 

This year I want to take another 365 challenge. This time I am planning to photograph a new subject, my home! I plan to share my photos via my instagram and my personal/photography blog. At the end of the year I want to get my photos printed in a giant book. If a 365 challenge is something you think you would enjoy I encourage you to join me on January 1st! You don't have to do a photography challenge, it can be anything that you want to do every single day for a year. 

Have you ever tried a 365 challenge? I would love to hear about your experience. If you plan to start one leave me a comment and we can cheer each other along! xoxo. Elsie 

*Photos above are from my 365 self-portraits project in 2007-2008. 

Comments

[Britney Nellis]

I've been wanting to do this for a while...I NEED something to challenge me to take pictures more often. So I will plan on starting on January 1st! Can't wait to see your pictures.

[Angelica]

i might try this too!

[Lady Unlaced]

I like the self portrait idea a lot actually :)

[pinksuedeshoe]

I am just finishing up my first 365 project, and it was to take a pic each day and post it to ig. I think I only missed 5 days the whole year (four of which were when my old iphone crashed and before my newly ordered 5 arrived!). I LOVE having so many small moments captured, particularly of my nearly 4 year old daughter. And next year I am taking it a step further and instead of using my phone, I am determined to use my real camera. My life is important enough to take good pictures of it, and my daughter deserves more than an ig album of her life! The lofty side of this plan is to then post each day on flickr (and probably ig too). We'll see how I do! Can't wait to see more glimpses of your lovely home :)

[Rachel Nicole]

I'm actually doing one this year. My problem, isn't taking a picture every day, it's posting it.

My 365 blog:
http://rachelnicole--365pictures.blogspot.com/

xoxo,
Rachel Nicole

http://rachyracheshobbycorner.blogspot.com/
http://circlescarvesandredlipstick.blogspot.com/

[Kristin V.]

I would love to do this challenge. It's funny...I'm newly single, and I really want to push myself to have a fresh start. I just got a DSLR camera for Christmas, but I'm also a writing student. I'm thinking a photo a day plus mini story to go with it might be just right for practicing both of those crafts. :D

[Sarah]

I am going to do this! I'm not sure what it will be but when I decide I'll put it in my new years resolutions :) Thank you for being such an inspiration in every aspect of life.

x missdottidee.blogspot.com

[Rachael B]

My Mom, sister, Aunt and a few cousins and I are going to do a 365 day happiness journal. Everyday were just going to write one sentence in our journals about what brought us joy. Then at the end of the year we got back and read them all. I'm excited!

[Sarah]

I'll be doing a 365 project as well. One of my big goals is to actually finish one.

[Cate]

I haven't done a 365 project, but I did spend 4 months in Germany and took a picture a day. Each picture had the number day that it was and showed something important that happened that day. I used this project to remind me of my stay(I knew it would pass too quickly) and this personal challenge caused me to have some great experiences and meet some amazing people. I am debating a craft a day for 2013

[Jenn V]

I took a photo a day in 2010. I was really sick of photos by the end of the year! But now when I look back, I love seeing those "every day" photos. This past month I have done #mileaday where I take a photo of my feet every day after a run or walk. This has gotten my thoughts spinning for next year! I wont be taking a feet photo, but I have thought about doing another 365 project for 2013. I just haven't figured out what I will be photographing yet!

[Et tu, tutu?]

That sounds so...daunting! Maybe another year, I don't think I can handle more things to do on top of everything else. :P

-Lindsey
http://ettu-tutu.blogspot.com

[Limoentje]

I did a P365 in 2011. I took a picture every day and made a book out of it. The album turned out really great!
I tried to do it for 2012 too, but failed. Although I did take a lot of pics, so maybe I'll make the album later.
I'm just bad at making albums.

[Kara]

I did a Blythe 365 two years ago. It was an amazing experience. My camera and Blythe doll, Hazel went with me everywhere. I don't take nearly as many pictures as I used to and that makes me sad. I will see if I can come up with a new 365 for 2013. Here's a link to Hazel's...http://flic.kr/s/aHsjs5KuER.

[Leah F]

I am not real big on photography. I always mean to take pictures and then don't... :/ BUT I keep thinking about my crochet and the thought of doing a square a day and then combining them at the end of the year into an afghan. I think that would be really fun.

[Cony]

I did something like that last year. I was going through a tough moment and I started picking a word per day. I put them on my wardrobe in little post its in different colors so I had a colorful edge of my wardrobe's doors all covered with post its full of words. And then at the end of every month I would read the words and remember the exact way I felt those days. The whole thing actually helped me somehow feeling better! It was weird but very entertaining, and it really helped me to difference different feelings that usually human beings get to confuse.
Anyway, I really like this idea of the 365 project and I have a new Camera so I think I should try it :) I Suddenly got exited about the project! Hahaha

http://pilanaandcompany.blogspot.com.ar/

[Courtney Howard]

You have inspired me so I think I will try it!! I just got a new camera today and I am so excited to start using it! :) Yeah for something new!

[Rachel]

It is an overwhelming thought but worth a shot.

Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

[Amy Powell]

I did one two years ago, and did almost every day. I still go back & through the tumblr account I uploaded everything to.

Good luck this year!

[Tracey]

I started one on my birthday for my birthday goal list. I am 8 days in and going strong! Lets hope I can continue on for the full year.