A third year of completing a 365 project. This year just felt different. When I started years ago, this project of taking a photo a day helped teach me the discipline of using a camera, and forced me to see creatively in the little daily things. Nowadays, I know how to use a camera and I use one (or two or three) for a living. This distinction between personal work and professional work is blurry since I feel like my personality and vision gets imprinted on each image I make. A camera has become part of me, a way for me to remember, a way to focus and be present. I know that sounds like a lofty goal for a piece of technology. However this year I learned to release the camera from it's obligation to be accurate. I find joy with the camera: the black and white, the motion blur, the wrong angle. I find joy in the daily life: the rainy day, the homework, the walk to the park, the snuggle, the subtle look. I don't believe that's because I'm just lazy now with the camera after years of shooting. It's that I value how life is imperfect and beautiful and plain. I tell my clients that a good photograph doesn't have to be dressed up, it should naturally come out and emotionally grab you. That's a lofty goal for a photograph. And this year, there were many days I didn't have those ideal pictures. I love them because they are not ideal or perfect. These experiences happened and because I decided to use my camera, my memories are glued to these photos for life.
Feel free to browse this years photos in clumps of 30 from past days here.
