So, it is now May, almost the end of May, and I wanted to update you on how my 365 is going. I am really enjoying it most of the time, but I do fall into ruts some weeks, and I have given myself permission to miss a day or two here and there if I need to and I think that has really taken some of the pressure off. Some days are busy and life gets in the way and I don't want to just take a shitty photo just to get the day checked off, I feel that it really defeats the purpose of this challenge which is to really push myself to try new techniques and lighting, etc.

Now that summer is almost starting I have joined a project called 100 days of summer. I figured it could only help and hold me more accountable. Last year I only made it until September and this year I really want to make it the entire year. So, far so good.

Last year I decided to try my hand at a 365 project, where I would take a picture a day for 365 days. It was actually 366 days since 2016 was a leap year. I started out strong, but by September I had lost steam and gave up all together. My main issue were days where I was not inspired and felt like the photograph was more of a chore than exciting. I also found that it was hard for me to keep up with uploading the photographs each day and editing and posting, so I would let a week go by and then feel overwhelmed. I have learned that when I am overwhelmed I don’t plow through, instead I bury my head in the sand and walk away, which is exactly what I did in September. So you may be wondering why I would choose to do this to myself again. Am I a glutton for punishment? Do I like to set myself up for failure? No, it is because I need to challenge myself in order to stay motivated. This year I decided to take on the 365 project to actually finish it but more than that I want to push myself. I want to try out new lighting, low lighting, new techniques and this pushes me to do that instead of procrastinate. It forces me to see things differently, take my camera with me when I go out, and document our days. Another part of my 365 project is to do a portrait a week project. I am trying to take a portrait of my kids each week. I want to be able to capture all their silly faces, changes that occur, their moods, etc. and this sounded like a great way to do it.

I hope you will follow along with me. It helps to keep me encouraged if I know people are following along. Also, if you are doing a 365 please share it with me. If you have any ideas for me to try send them my way as well, sometimes I get stumped and having some suggestions would be great.

I hope you enjoy my January photos. I will be updating the blog at the end of each month, and talk about what I learned, what went well, what failed, how I hate myself for doing this lol, you know that kinda stuff.

You can follow along on my 365 project on flickr My weekly portrait project is also on flickr

Erica Burns Photography | Long Island Photographer_0073.jpg