Make 2025 Your Year of Photography: The Power of a 365 Project
As photographers begin contemplating their New Year's resolutions, I want to share a transformative experience that revolutionized both my photography journey and family documentation: completing a 365 project. Back in 2015, I committed to taking one photo every single day for an entire year, inspired by photographers who combined their passion for the craft with capturing precious family moments.
365 Photography Project
A Dual Purpose Journey
What began as a photography challenge evolved into something far more meaningful: a visual diary of my children's daily lives. Each photo not only helped develop my technical skills but also preserved fleeting moments that I now treasure more than ever.
The Real Benefits I Discovered
Skill Development: Daily practice honed my technical abilities and creative eye
Family Documentation: Created an invaluable visual timeline of my children's growth
Creative Growth: Learned to find photo opportunities in everyday moments
Community Connection: Built friendships with fellow Baltimore photographers
Local Exploration: Discovered new shooting locations throughout the city
Making It Happen
Commitment required practical solutions. I invested in a dual-purpose purse/camera bag, ensuring my camera was always ready to capture both planned and spontaneous moments. This simple change made a tremendous difference in meeting my daily photo goal while balancing family life with creative pursuits.
Tools for Success
One game-changer in my journey was the Collect - Photo Journal, Diary iPhone app. As someone who loves both visual organization and checklists, this app became my daily companion. Watching the monthly grids fill up with my photos provided a satisfying sense of progress and helped me stay accountable to my goal.
Tips for Success
Make your camera easily accessible every day
Don't limit yourself to "perfect" conditions
Include both ordinary and special moments
Connect with local photography groups
Use the project to document family milestones
Create a unique hashtag (like #YourName365) on Instagram to share your journey and connect with others following your progress
Looking Forward
Nine years later, these photos remain some of my most cherished possessions. They capture not just my growth as a photographer, but precious moments with my children that pass all too quickly. Whether you're a parent wanting to document your family's journey or a photographer seeking to improve your craft, I highly recommend taking on this challenge in 2025.
If you are not ready to commit to a full 365 challenge and are looking for other photography projects for your new year’s resolution, check out my other blog post about 101 photography projects.