Do You Make Spur of The Moment Decisions?
It’s not usually my thing, but today I’m making an exception! This year I’ve decided to quit striving for the perfect. family. photo. The one where we’re all matchy matchy and everybody’s happy, the light is just perfect and no one has kale chips stuck in their teeth – AKA the one that never happens because that is not our real life at all.
Instead, I’m taking my cues from Georgia over at Gregarious Peach: One photo. Each day. Like this.
It’s that simple. No props or shouting “googely googely GOO!” while crossing ones eyes to get them to smile for the camera necessary. (Not that I would ever do that. **cough**)
This is about documenting delight – looking for moments to savor in each day, using the lens to define what’s really important, and telling our children their stories via muddy scraped knees, blueberry muffin collaborations, and wrapping paper roll “sword fights.” Here’s how Georgia puts it:
Doing the 365 project gave me reason to stop and really SEE my children. Really, really take wonder in this time. To document the delight that is overflowing in motherhood and parenting. To take the time to stop and say – this, this is what I want to remember always.
Being a mum is often hard. It’s long hours, it’s physically and emotionally demanding but what’s more than that – it’s very difficult to quantify or see the work we do. Often at the end of the day the only tangible thing I have of hours past is a huge mess and pile of washing.
This project gave me the commitment and time to reflect that – THIS is what I’ve been doing. I’ve been raising these incredible people and here are the little moments and letters of love to prove it. I don’t really need a photo to see my children, but I really need the committment and reason to stop and look for the delight.
Want To Join Me?
Whether you commit to one photo a day or one a week, I’d LOVE to do this with you. Depending on how much interest there is I may find a way for us to share one treasured photo each week on my Facebook wall, or in a special post, or maybe on Flickr.
What do you think, ya’ll? Are you in?
Update: My first photo for Project 366 is up here!
about the author: Heather
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YES!!! I LOVE this idea. I want to strive for 1 a day, but might be realistic with 1 a week. It would be great to have a weekly link to help support and remind.
Thanks for the idea
Yay! I’m so glad you will be joining in. I’ll figure out a way to make this a community thing we can share <3
Aw, I am so glad you’re on board with the project! Yay. We actually have a fb group going for people committing to the project if you’d like to join in. We’d love to have you https://www.facebook.com/groups/203828213036580/
Thanks, Georgia! I just send a request to join!
Great to have you in the group Heather, can’t wait to see your project come to life!
Georgia´s last [type] ..at this age
Going to try to do this with you! It might only last a few days with me though, I am not good about getting out my camera at home!
Hey Lynsey, I add you to our group, xx
Georgia´s last [type] ..newborn toddler
I would love for this to be a community type of thing! So excited!
Awesome! I can wait to see your first pic, Kristen!
Please do, Lynsey Stone! I cannot get enough of your girls with their gorgeous red hair and freckles!
I’d love to join!! Let me know!
Going to strive to do this with M – how fun! And by the way your baby boy looks so much older; he has grown!!! And very adorable
Oh, I hope you do! I would love to see miss M grow this year!
What’s the protocol if I have 4 kids? One photo per day or one per kid?
I’m doing one photo per day – overall I figure it will round out:)
Sounds like fun!
I am going to do this with you I love the idea. Any suggestions about how to organize or keep the one a day shots together and no lost with all the other photos?
Sounds like fun! I’d love to, but I’m not sure that I can do one a day, although it would be wonderful to strive for…
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Easy, Creamy Polenta
They say that anything you do for 21 days becomes automatic, so my goal is to take one photo every day for the next three weeks. If things get crazy down the road and I miss a few days I won’t sweat it – I’ll just be grateful for all I DID capture! One a day. One a week. One a month. I hope you’ll join in whenever you can <3
Amanda Cambria Campbell – You can download Picasa and easily organize your 365 pics into an album with one click OR you can upload them to a special Flickr set – that’s what I’m doing
I’m in!
I’ve already taken their pictures today! So excited about this. Thank you!
i’m doing it!! i decided to do it a couple of months ago – people tell me i don’t post enough pictures of the kids and i figure even if it’s a crappy iPhone picture, at least it’s something – plus it’ll be interesting to see how much they change over the year!
dianthe´s last [type] ..liar, liar pants on fire
I’m in!! Using my old ‘family’ blog I used to use, this is going to be so fun! http://shannontrepanier.blogspot.com/
Shannon Marie´s last [type] ..Last Holiday Reminder
Yay! The hubs has the day off tomorrow so we are going to figure out a way for everyone to share (if they want to). SO EXCITED!
Yay! The hubs has the day off tomorrow so we are going to figure out a way for everyone to share (if they want to). SO EXCITED!
I’m in! But I promise to forgive myself if I fall a little short.
Diane´s last [type] ..Happy 2012!
I just stumbled upon your blog and would love to try this! Day 1 picture complete!
,
I’m going to also try to do this, at least one pic a day. I can already see my baby turning into a little girl (snif, snif). What a great way to see all of the “moments ” with a different perspective! P.s. love your first pic
Thanks, Margo Snider! They really do grow up when we’re not looking, huh? As I put Katie’s birthday video together I couldn’t believe how quickly she transformed from a chubby babe to a preschooler – totally inspired me to capture more of these early years!
Welcome, Kerry Koekoek! You have GREAT timing!
Dang. I have to get the kids dressed every day now.
Haha! I had the same thought
I’m in, I started over at 365project.org. It’s a little more organized for me than Flickr, and holds you accountable if you don’t post every day or two!!
I’m in — This will be good for me, since most pictures are taken on yearly vacations instead of our everyday life. What a wonderful idea!
[...] you heard of it? Mommypotamus posted about it yesterday. I’m in. Even if I have nothing earth-shattering going on in our lives to post about, I [...]
I’m in. This is my daughter’s first year. I will cherish these photos forever. I already know it!
You WILL, Jessica! I wish I had taken so many more when Katie was little!
I love this idea. Definitely going to try to make it a habit! I was actually thinking the other day that I am so out of practice using my camera. I know I would love having the pictures!
I did this last year and am continuing in 2012. I love it. At the end of the year I have this collection of images that would have otherwise been lost. As a professional, sometimes it is hard to make myself photograph my own kids, but I’m so glad when I do. You can follow mine here:
http://blog.lifeinmotionphotography.com/oneframeaday/