Wordless Wednesday--August At a Glance, Project 365

by Kristina

This year I am doing a project 365 with my iPhone. While I am still taking loads of photos with my big girl camera, I am finding it easier to stay on top of this project by using my iPhone. It feels like less pressure and since my phone is always with me, it is easy to stay on track. So here you go....a look back on August.


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Project 365-The Month of Molly

by Kristina

It is hard to believe that I am a quarter of the way through my third Project 365 (although this year, I'm doing only an iPhone version).

As each month ends, it is so rewarding to look back and see what images I've captured. It is my visual scrapbook...no glue or words needed but emotions and memories are captured all the same.  

This month was the Month of Molly.....as you can see there are A LOT of photos of our new puppy.  She is just so cute and I couldn't help myself!  

For those of you doing a Project 365, how is it going?  We would love to see links to your monthly recaps.  And for those of you who have been thinking about starting a project like this, do it!  You can start this any time and why not now...today, April 1st?  No joke!

P.S. I put this calendar together using the Project 365 Pro app for the iPhone.

Project 365 App

So today's Friday Freebie is not exactly free but it is only .99 cents.  If you are on a Project 365 journey this year, you should definitely check out the Project 365 Pro app.  It is a great way to archive your photos and it has a bunch of great features including:

• slideshow
• ability to save and export monthly page
• notification reminder
• weekday and year display
• upload to flicker
• ability to upload and backup photos online

I used it throughout 2012 and am using it again this year.  Here is my first month of iPhone photos..... One down only 11 more to go.....

Project 365, Looking Back and Ahead

by Kristina

I can't believe that I have finished my second Project 365 and that I'm embarking on my third year of taking one photo each and every day for a year.

I love looking back at my images from 2012 and definitely see various themes from what I shot (I'll be sharing those in the upcoming days).

I also noticed that many of my photos were taken with my iPhone.  At first, I took pause and thought to myself that I should have been better at using my "big girl" camera, but then realized that it doesn't really matter.  The point of the project (for me) was to take a photo every day so that I would capture my year and have memories to look back on.    And the camera I have handy, ready to pull out at a moment's notice, is my iPhone.  There would have been so many magical moments I would have missed if I set a rule that I could only use my Canon camera.

So as I start on this project once again for 2013, I will focus once again on capturing life's moments.... from the first day of school to my first cup of coffee in the morning, from birthdays to rainy days, from dance recitals to my own two feet and when I look back, I will treasure them all.

*all photos taken with my iPhone.  Above app used to organize and track photos is Project 365 Pro.

May Project 365+1 Month in Review

by Kristina

Another month has flown by in my Project 365+1.  Pictured above is a recap of my May photos captured through my iPhone and processed with various filters in Instagram (I love that app!).

I'm a bit behind on updating my Flickr set but it is on my list of things to do this weekend (yes, I'm crazy and have two of these projects going).

For those of you looking for fun photo prompts for June to help keep your photo mojo going check out:

Fat Mum Slim--Photo Challenge

Click it Up a Notch-- 30 Day Challenge Photograph Your Kids

Choolookaloonks--Instacamp

If you are playing along with any of these photo prompts, let us know we'd love to follow you!

My Project 365+1 Keeps Clicking Along--April Recap

How is it that it is May already?  This year is flying by way too quickly.......

Here are my Instagram photos from April.  As it turns out I have  both an Instagram Project 365+1 going and a combination of photos taken with my Canon 7D and iPhone on Flickr.  Which reminds me that I need to take a few minutes and update my Flickr set.  I seem to always fall a bit behind on loading and labeling my photos on Flickr....but I am taking them each day so that counts for something, right?

A Video of My Project 365

After completing my first Project 365 on December 31, 2011, I asked myself, "Now what?"   "What do I do with all of these photos?"

Sure my set lives on Flickr and I can always go back and review them, but that didn't seem like enough.  I felt that I needed to do something special with the 365 photos I took throughout 2011.

It documents an amazing year.  My twins turning 10, my photo trip to Death Valley, my dad's 70th birthday surprise party, participating in the RAGBRAI, my son starting HIGH SCHOOL, my daughter's 12 birthday, a trip to Las Vegas,  Camp Shutter Sisters and various moments from our everyday lives.

I looked at creating a book using Shutterfly or Blurb, but decided that I am not quite ready to tackle this type of project (maybe in a few weeks, I'll roll up my sleeves and create one).

And then I started seeing videos that my photography friends had been putting together to celebrate their projects and I knew this was the answer.   So using my trusty iMovie and a free Vimeo acccount, I put this together......

2011....one photo a day....for 365 days.........

I Did It! Project 365 from Kristina Rust on Vimeo.

Ideas for Your Project 366

If you have decided to embark on a Project 366 this year, congratulations.  It truly is a rewarding experience.  For those of you who are still deciding, it is not to late to make the commitment.  You can begin any day.  Your year of taking photos can start whenever you are ready.

If you are hesitant to embark on this journey, we understand.  But remember it doesn't have to feel like a chore or give you anxiety.  Be kind to yourself.  If you miss a day or two or start and stop, it is really not a big deal.   It is YOUR project and it can evolve or morph into something else--like a Project 52 or a One Photo a Day for a Month.  There are all kinds of great photography projects out there that will get you snapping pictures and developing your photography skills.

So take the plunge and take it one day (or week at time).  We have a feeling that you'll be glad you did.

Here are some links to help get you going:

One Photo a Day Challenge for January From Fat Mum Slim
Focus 52 
Capture Your 365
Weekly Themes (it is from 2011 but it is still good food for thought)
Photojojo's Photo Projects for a Snappy New Year

Managing Your Project 365

As you may know from  previous posts, we have been taking part in Project 365 this year.  It has been a great project in so many ways.   It has been a wonderful way to document the year, it has really helped me think about composing shots, lighting and finding the beauty in everyday events and objects.

However, the start of the school year and the craziness it brings, has had me scrambling on more than one occasion to snap a picture before the clock strikes midnight.  It is in these moments where I take a picture of a laundry basket brimming with clothes or packed suitcases that are waiting for the trip to Tahoe.   And while I kick myself for not being more creative, I guess in a way these last minute photos still tell a story.

My other "project issue" is that I tend to forget to upload the photos.  And while it shouldn't be a big deal, I find I spend hours trying to remember where I left off.  Thank goodness there are more organized photographers out there (like my friend, business/blogging partner) as well as other Project 365 participants who I use for reference to keep me on track.  

Which leads me to my question, "How do you manage your Project 365?"  Do you have any tips to share?  

Thank goodness this project also has me snapping more photos with my iPhone or I'd have let several days go by without capturing an image.  The key is taking a photo and not the camera, right????

And yes, the image above is another iPhone/Instagram pic.    Instagram, oh how I love thee.........

A Picture a Day: Project 365 - Join Us!

We are making some wonderful new friends through our blog and Facebook page.  Recently photographer Suzanne Kreitzberg shared some of her Project 365 photos with us and her blog.   We love how she captures a story with every photo.  This is going to be a treasured year of photos and memories.  Our experience with our own Project 365 has  produced some very fun, engaging, crazy and beautiful photos, all giving us more 'exposure' with our camera and lenses.

Here are some of Suzanne's favorite pictures thus far from her Project 365.   Do you have some photos you'd like to share?  Send us an email at momswhoclick@yahoo.com, we'd love to hear from you!

Take it away - Suzanne!

Project 365 Update

We are happy to report that we still clicking away with our 365 projects.  For those of you who are also embarking on this fun project (or some variation of it), how is it going?  Leave us a link to your photos, we'd love to see them and get inspired.

One Week Down, 51 to Go!

One week down, 51 to go.  Yes, I have completed a full week of taking a photo each day for the 365 project.  So far, so good.  I know I shouldn't be tooting my horn about one week, but I think it is good to celebrate each milestone no matter how big or small.

Here is what I have learned so far:

• Do not wait until 7 p.m. to take my photo.  Somehow the day escapes me and right around the time I'm fixing dinner, I realize I need to take a photo.  I'm going to try and remember to take a photo in the morning or to stop what I'm doing in the middle of the day to grab my camera and take some shots.  
• Let go of the idea that each photo I take has to be poignant or meaningful.  Early in the week, I was thinking that each photo had to capture a special part of the day.  That when I looked back on these photos that every photo should evoke a memory.  I've decided to let go of that notion and appreciate the fact that any photo I take no matter what the subject, gives me an opportunity to learn more about my camera and my craft.
• Photos taken with my iPhone count.   Sometimes, the iPhone is the only "camera" I' have with me because lugging around my Canon 7D can be a pain.  So I'm going to let go of the fact that a few photos may not have the perfect lighting or that they may be a little grainy.  At least I took a photo. 
• Visit Flickr project 365 Groups for inspiration.  These groups are amazing.  It is very inspiring to see the creative photos people are taking.  
• Find what is unique in the little things.  A bowl of soup dripping with noodles is interesting (and makes me hungry) and a photo of my daughter doing homework tells a story (6th grade math is hard!).

I'm very excited about continuing my 365 Project.  It is just one photo after all.   One. Photo.

How is it going for you?  What have you learned so far?  Please let us know any tips/tricks you have to stay motivated, inspired and clicking.

PROJECT365: MOMS WHO CLICK

Happy New Year!  It is a new year and with that comes resolutions.  Have you been working on your list?  One goal that we have for 2011 is to start a 365 project.

Yes, we are starting a 365 project and the only rule is that we have to take one photo every single day throughout 2011.   The point is to see things with a fresh eye, to expand our creativity and to hone our photography skills.  

If you've been thinking about embarking on a similar project, we encourage you to share your journey with us.   Feel free to post links to your photos in the comment section and we'll be sure to visit.

If you need some tips on how to get started, there are some great suggestions at Shutter Sisters and Photojojo.

It is going to be an exciting project that in the end will provide a visual scrapbook of what we hope is going to be a fantastic year!

You can follow our progress by clicking the Project 365 Tab at the top of the page or visiting our Flickr album.   So here we go......

Photo #1 (one for each of us) taken on 1-1-11