365 with our family

365.

What is it you ask? The number of days in the year, yes, but that’s not all. For those who haven’t already heard, I’d like to introduce our latest challenge.

{Insert another one of my crazy ideas here}

Yes, you see…I have this crazy idea that I can add more fun to my busy days. All last year (yes, since about mid January) I contemplated doing a 365 photography challenge where I would force myself to take one photo a day – and even more challenging…make sure I’m in the photo. Yes, me…the one who is typically behind the camera – you know…the one everyone refers to as the paparazzi. So last year as I gave it lots of thought I decided I’d start on January 1st of this year – and of course because my kids mean the world to me (far more than silly pictures of myself) I wanted to put as much into doing the same 365 challenge taking photos of them.

And yes, I know I hear you all telling me how I take “soooooo” many pictures as it is. Well, I admit…I do. But in focusing on learning more about photography this year I’ve found that so many times I’d end up places without my camera – and be so frustrated unable to capture moments. I’ve learned that you also get better at things when you immerse yourself in what you’re doing. In fact, most people never take their “best” photo in the first photo they take of the day – so through this the challenge will force me to take MORE photos and to improve my photography skills. Of course, in the process I have this feeling I’ll learn a thing or two about not only photography but life…and best of all – through this project so many more memories will be experienced. At the end of our 365 we’ll be making a book with all the best photos.

Of course, I’d love to take credit for the 365 idea, but I’m definitely not the first to attempt such a crazy idea. In all the research I’ve done about the various approaches – I have been most inspired by the idea that not only will it help you create memories but it’ll help you see life in a whole new way. Over the last year in researching this idea I’ve been so inspired by so many others who have participated in a 365 challenge. Day after day this past year I’ve enjoyed watching Allison’s (snippets_from_suburbia’s) 365 challenge – which was quite funny, real, and filled with hilarious moments that anyone can relate with. And this is only my first try at 365, some people like this guy Pete (arkworld) have attempted not just once, but twice. After his first 365 he took another stab at it with a cool fisheye lens approach. I’ve even been inspired by those like Lisa (LH*Photography) who threw in the towel after a couple months of photos. Seeing their awesome work certainly helped give me the motivation to start 365.

So let me go ahead and introduce our first three days of 365.

HOPE
Here’s Hope, who’s been an amazing assistant. Helping with Jaylen and Bella – and even her Daddy. Heck, she’s even helped me with my first photo of the day (that you see above) as she helped position the tripod. My first 365 photo above I decided to have fun with all my crazy ideas and all the things that keep me busy and so as she saw me coming up with the concept she said she wanted to make a to do list for me too.

of course it’s hard for me to take just one photo, especially of the kids. On day one I took a few other memorable shots of her.

Day two we went out to lunch at Panera…she loves salad. So photos with salad it was for day two.

And on day two she started planning day three…blowing bubbles with her gum. We had soooo much fun taking these.

of course, here’s the making of the photo above:

JAYLEN
I have to admit that my photography obsession in the last year has really been spawned partly from my pleasure of taking photos of Jaylen during his first year (not that I didn’t obsess over taking photos before). Through his first year I truly wanted to capture as many moments. Though it’s a little harder now to snag the perfect shot now that he’s more active – I love taking the time to capture these little moments of him as he’s growing so fast. I was a little sad on day one taking photos of him because some of the BEST photos I took of him were the ones of him crying. I got him all dressed in his “girls get in line” shirt that I’ve been waiting to bust out for a cute photo opportunity – and then he cries. All I have to say is “no” these days and he gets his big pouty lip and crocodile tears. And though I felt bad, I must admit that I did see it as an “photo opportunity”. So you can see in the photos…he was a little emotional. For some reason though I think all the girls will love these photos! How can those tears NOT pull at your heartstrings?  :o)

Of course I was thrilled that we managed to see his happy side too…thanks to Hope and Jason’s help.

Day two when we went to lunch I took this one of him with his pacifier.

And on day 3 he had fun rolling around in the blanket, which he enjoys doing often these days.

On day 3 he was also missing Jason after he left for work so Hope helped distract him with her nintendo.

JASON
Of course I didn’t originally plan to take photos of Jason every day but on day one when I saw him cooperating with Hope as she was having fun with the camera I just adored the moment so much that I told him he’s going to do it too. He surprisingly agreed. These photos were taken by Hope…of Jason acting silly on day one (and me too). (of course if you’re looking for a laugh…you can see the video in flickr)

On day two, he wasn’t as cooperative. He had to return to work and really didn’t have lots of time. I told him just one photo. He agreed.

On day 3 he was also busy getting ready for work by the time we got home. But he stopped for a minute to take a photo with his little guy.

BELLA
Much like Jason’s photos, I didn’t plan to take photos every day of Bella. After committing Jason to this 365 challenge we agreed to make it a family project – and Hope got excited when we said we’d include Bella. I told her I’d only agree to that if she agreed to help take photos of her (…which of course she agreed to). On day one Jason used his laser pointer to get Bella’s attention and Hope took the photo.

On day two, we waited until late in the evening – again Hope took the picture.

On day three, I was up early so I went out and took a photo of her in the beautiful morning sun.

ME
At the very beginning of this I posted my day one photo – and I must admit it was challenging. I set up the tripod (with some help from Hope) and used my remote to take the photo. I had to have taken 50 or more photos until I got the right focus and positioning. Then I doodled all the scribbles and added them to the photo…oh, do I love to doodle. On day 2 I took a photo of Hope and I. I really love how she’s enjoying this little challenge – she keeps coming up with so many cool ideas and has been such a great helper.

On day 3 I decided to use the thank you card I received the day prior from Talia’s mother as a way of sharing her story AND as a way of thanking everyone for their support.

If you haven’t joined flickr and/or added us as a contact I’d encourage you do so. I highly doubt I’ll be posting pictures every day on the blog too and I’ll likely have lots of our other photos set to private (which you’ll only be able to see if you join flickr and add us as a contact!). I’ll be returning to my classes at SCAD and teaching very soon – so it should be interesting having fun with this through busy times. You can count on me taking pictures every day and I’ll do my best to share them as often as I can. I’m quite amazed with the response in just three short days.

In starting this little challenge I have been warned and reminded how so many people start and never finish. I’ve heard how many throw in the towel after days, weeks or even months. I imagine after doing this for that long it may be easy to lose inspiration or get frustrated – I guess we’ll have to see. But, I have no doubt that seeing everyone’s interest and hearing all the encouraging words that it’ll be the fuel to help us come up with some pretty awesome and amazingly fun stuff for 365.

So when you have a little time this year check out our flickr account or you can quickly access our 365 photos here. Let us know what you think!

ONLY 362 days to go!