5 Tips for a Successful 365 Photography Project

One of the best ways to improve your photography is to practice. Often. They say practice makes perfect! So if you have any desire to improve your photography skills, one day at a time, a 365 project is the way to go.

Yes, it’s a HUGE commitment. But since I completed my project 365 in November, I have become a BIG believer! To help you complete YOUR project 365, I’ve got 5 tips that I am sure will help you.

1. Always have your camera with you.

This one might seem self explanatory, but it’s the first key to successfully completing a 365. A 365 can be shot with your DSLR, your point and shoot or your iPhone camera. Or all of them! But one of the keys is to have your camera with you. I shot my entire 365 with my iPhone mainly because it was the one camera that was always with me and I wanted a challenge.

2. Make taking your daily photo a part of your daily routine.

Incorporate taking your photo into your daily routine. Everyday, I have a cup of coffee. NO matter what. So everyday, as a part of my routine, I found a creative way of taking a photo of that cup of coffee. That way, no matter what happened, I always had that one photo already taken. Just in case.

3. Let go of perfection.

Some days, it will be 1159 pm and you will take a photo of your feet, or your sleeping child or what seems like your hundredth selfie. THAT’S OK!!! Not every photo will be portfolio worthy and not every photo will be something that can be hung on your walls. Embrace the imperfections of this project. Because they are helping you grow!

4. Make your own rules

I don’t know how others do it, but there were a few days during my 365 that I didn’t take a photo. But I learned that it’s OK to miss a day. Or 2. Or 7. Its YOUR 365. I have a habit of sometimes taking more than one photo a day. And on those days when life just got in the way, I had my backup

5. SHARE

Post your photos to your blog, to facebook, to instagram, on forums. It helps keep your accountable. I used the Collect App and posted the photos on my blog and Instagram. There was nothing lIke seeing that calendar fill up day by day and getting cheers and encouragement from peers, strangers and friends.

So there you have it, my 5 tips for starting and maintaining a 365 photography project. It was challenging, it was fun, it was sometimes frustrating. But I felt so accomplished at the end of it! I just sent off all of my photo to Artifact Uprising and can’t wait to see them all in print. In fact, I loved it so much that I am doing another one starting January 1st. Follow me on Instagram @ lashawnwiltz and my blog Everyday Eyecandy to follow along!