The one thing that has single-handedly contributed to my growth as a family photographer and photographer is a 365 project. I started my first one back in 2015 and recently completed my 4th year of shooting on most days. Anyone who knows me knows I’m one of those crazy people who love personal growth projects, reading books on the power of habits and embrace general life long learning. A 365 project is the perfect intersection of all of those things! The habit of taking a photo every day has been life changing for me! Today I wanted to share with you three of the biggest takeaways that my four years of 365 projects have taught me.
1. Make the habit of creating a priority.
Regardless of what your creative outlet is I cannot stress the value of photographing, painting or writing daily. Nurturing your creative soul and growing as an artist will only happen if you have it a priority and do it on a regular basis. Make it a habit! Just like drinking your water, exercising daily or brushing your teeth. DO IT and do it every day. Even when you don’t feel inspired or your art is awful. Those are the days when it’s most important to create.
A 365 requires you to be intentional about growing as an artist and cultivating your creative side. I promise just getting into the habit of creating something every day is life changing. I never thought of myself as an artist or creative until I was almost 40 years old. Today I can’t imagine not having a creative outlet and connecting with my inner soul + the Great Creator though taking photos.
2. Focus on practice, not perfection.
I cannot stress enough that practice is your goal, not perfection. My biggest struggle with doing a 365 when I first started (and even now) is that I make a lot of crappy images. You know, the ones that no one would show on their beautifully curated Instagram feed. I felt this pressure to make beautiful Instagram worthy images every day because that is what everyone is posting, right? So I just took the pressure off. No, I am not going to post them to IG if I don’t want to because the goal is for me to get out of my comfort zone and learn. When you are learning and growing you will make a lot of bad images before you make a good one. I knew if I needed an IG worthy image every day I would play it safe and stick to what I comfortable with so I could get a “good” image. Take the pressure off yourself!
This journey is about you and what feeds your soul. For me, it is editing my images only one day a week and posting just a handful of images online. The freedom this gives you is life-giving! Give yourself room to make a lot of bad work as it is all part of the growth process. Oh, and while I’m on the topic of grace, it’s ok to miss a day or two. Just pick your camera up again and start where you left off. This is your project and you can’t mess it up!
3. Inspiration does not just hit you, you have to work for it.
In my case inspiration does not just fall out of the sky. I have to cultivate it and make an effort to connect with my creative soul and nurture my inner artist. Yes, I know that sounds very hippy and new age but that is how it works for me. My advice would be to take time to connect with your creative side. Show up every day and do something that feeds your creative soul. Something that allows you to get your head away from your to-do list and allows God to speak to you and through you. I have several ways that I do this but my favorite is journaling longhand every morning. It’s my form of meditation and allows my soul room to breath. This is where I come up with new ideas and inspiration.
Whatever works for you find time to show up every day and cultivate your creative side. Delight in the small details in your day and ask “Where did I see God today?” Many times this is my inspiration and answer to creative growth. Some days it works great and others I don’t get into the flow, but I still show up every day and do the work. Those beautiful moments of flow and inspiration are so worth it.
Finally, if you are wanting to see more great images from other artists in the photography community, I’m participating in a blog circle this month. Hop on over and check out this amazing female artist, Vancouver Island Family Photographer Ashely McMath and her Color Chase Challenge.
A few of my favorites from my 2018 365. Images I never would have captured if I had not attempted a 365 project.
SENIOR | FAMILY | NEWBORN | SCHOOLS
Shelly Niehaus Photography is a Prosper, TX-based senior and family photographer. I specialize in newborns, seniors, family, and school portrait photography in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I also offer adoption photography for local families through the Red Thread Organization and volunteer for The Gold Hope Project. For more information please contact me so we can start discussing your session.
These are really inspiring. I can’t imagine keeping with a 365 project. I did a 52 week one two years ago and it was hard enough!
Thank you for this really great insight into your creative process! I’m just starting my third 365 and some days it’s still a challenge not to be a perfectionist about it! I absolutely love your attitude about the project and about making creativity a priority. Beautiful images! I can’t wait to see more as I follow along this year.
Wonderful photos and memories.