My 365 project | St. Louis Photographer

I failed my 365 project.

I’ll admit it…I failed my 365 photography project for 2020. I could sit here and list all the reasons why I failed or how I tried to make it work. The truth is after 7 months or so I just got tired and uninspired so I quit….Well actually I quit and restarted, then quit and restarted again. As a photographer and mom, I sometimes feel this guilt for not capturing kids enough. Silly, right? Actually right up until I was putting this post together I felt that guilt and a sense of failure. Failure that I didn’t technically finish my 365 project the “right” way. I also felt like maybe I missed out capturing this crazy year for my kids and myself.

I was so wrong.

As I started to put together my images for the end of the year, I noticed the amazing story I had captured. Tears streamed down my face. I captured our life, our story. The messy, everyday beauty that makes us us. I had it. Did I technically have an image from everyday? No. Do I care? NO WAY! Why had I wasted so much energy stressing over doing it the right way?!!?

So what is the point of this post you maybe asking? The point is you can do a 365 project in anyway YOU want to do it. In a way that doesn’t bring guilt, stress, or feelings of failure if you do not follow it exactly like everyone else does. You really have so many options. This may mean taking a photo everyday on your phone. It could also mean counting your favorite 30 images from your month toward your 365. Or maybe you do a weekly project instead of the daily shooting. What matters is capturing your life in a way that makes you happy and that brings you joy. For me at the end of the year, I want to be able to look back at my photos and see our life. Luckily for me, I did that this year and so much more.

2021 365 project plans?

You maybe wondering if I am doing a 365 project for 2021….as of right now no. We are a few weeks into the new year and I haven’t really picked up my camera for personal work much. I needed that break. Do I plan to keep shooting my kids? Heck yes! I know that I HAVE to capture my everyday. It is part of me, it fuels my soul. My family is the reason I started this photography journey to begin with. This is one way I can show them the love I have for them. I want to capture this story for them. I also believe this type of shooting is the number one thing that has made me a better photographer and continues to challenge me. Despite all that, I also know I need a break from the structure of a photography project like the 365.

So here’s my plan:

• Leave my camera out with a card and fully charged battery so I can grab at a moment’s notice
• Edit my personal images weekly to keep the load manageable
• Try out new shooting techniques and lens, like a Lens baby and Go Pro
• Get in more photos in 2021
• Give myself breaks as needed

I am excited heading into 2021 with a realistic shooting goal for myself. Are you planing a 365 project this year? Or maybe some other kind of shooting project? I would love to hear about it!!!!!

-Angie

Wondering what our year looked like? Check it out! My kids have watched this a hundred times already. Made all the stress and work worth it to see their faces.