Since 2017

I have given myself a personal challenge to become a better photographer. They are never money-makers; few people see them, and even fewer people care. Nevertheless, the photos I have captured on my own accord without any contract or paycheck are some of the best photos I've ever produced.

I don't know how or who I learned about the 365-photo project, but at the beginning of 2017, I was determined to make that goal happen. I gave myself a lot of grace and loose rules, and because of that, I could take a photo every day for 365 days. It was hard. Most people do not complete these challenges. I understand entirely why. After completing that "passion project," I created an album of those photos for my family, and it lit a fire under me to try and have some creative endeavors every year.

I fell short in 2018 when I tried to capture 52 weeks of Pittsburgh, during which time I'd go out to a different neighborhood weekly and photograph cityscapes. Perhaps I wasn't as passionate about buildings as I thought I might be...

In 2019, I did another 365-day project. I loved it and haven't done another 365 since! It's such a huge undertaking—one I'm not sure if I can commit to again in the near future.

2020 was a super forgettable year, am I right?! This is the year I had the idea to capture a very specific moment in time. As we embarked on homeschooling our kids for the majority of the 20-21 school year, I captured our lives in a way I think will be cherished by my children and perhaps even my children's children during one of the most bizarre times of our generation.

In 2021, I did my first 80+ days of Summer photo project. I felt this was perfect! I captured all the best moments of Summer break. I didn't have to burn myself out doing an entire year, and it was less bleak than homeschooling through a pandemic. It also allowed me to be more fun and present as a Mom by thinking of fun things to do while capturing that for the kids. And I don't mean Instagram/YouTube exploitation of the kids where I drag my kids somewhere they may not want to be, take a photo that's not based in reality, and leave shortly after. As I said, I have no following, and very few people care what I may share on my private social media accounts. It just gave us a fun variety of activities to try out.

2022 was a failed year of themed months, but that's okay. It happens.

2023 was the second Summer photo project, which now brings us to 2024! As I took my kid's "last day of school photo" this morning to kick off the passion project, I am looking forward to the amazing Summer that is laid out in front of us.

You can do it too

The best photo project has the least rules and some reward at the end. Everyone is a photographer now unless you are my 73-year-old Dad, who still rocks a flip phone. I use my nice camera daily during these projects but occasionally use my iPhone. If you choose to do a Summer photo project, you can use your smartphone only if you want. I also only edit my photos weekly, not daily. Again, you don't even have to go through this process, though if you are interested in editing on your smartphone, I recommend downloading LightRoom mobile. This is what most photographers edit on their PCs with the paid Adobe Suite subscription. If you miss a day, make it up by taking two different kinds of photos the next day. Don't just can the whole thing. You can get back on track! Chances are you WILL miss a few days. In the end, make yourself a book of the photos you took.