One of the most challenging and potentially rewarding experiences a photographer can partake in is a 365-day project. There are many upsides to such an undertaking, not to mention a whole lot of cohesive images after a year’s worth of shooting.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to get started on a 365-day project using any camera, even if it’s only a smartphone. You don’t need to know all the rules of photography to start or even know how to operate all the functions of your camera. This will all come together in time. A year-long project is just the thing to improve all aspects of your photography.
What Exactly Is a 365-Day Photography Project?
Simply put, a 365-day photography project is just that—a project that requires 365 days of images taken by the photographer, consecutively. That can be as few as one photo a day or as many as you like. But the gist of it is this: take at least one picture a day for an entire year.
Secondly, you don’t need to start on the first of January. You can start on any day of the year. You make your own rules.
Camera Gear Considerations
A 365-day photography project can be done on any camera. You can also use multiple cameras; it all depends on the subject matter, and naturally, on what you own. But there are a few things to consider.
If you’re choosing subjects that move quickly or that may be found in low light situations, many smartphones and older point-and-shoot cameras may struggle to obtain focus and decent exposure. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras may be better suited for these subjects.
Conversely, if your 365-day photography subject involves public places that typically restrict photography or if you need to be discreet because you don’t want to disturb the scene, you’ll want to use something a bit different. In this case, a smaller camera like a point-and-shoot or even your smartphone will make for a perfect pairing.
The bottom line is this: make sure the camera(s) you have is capable of photographing your subject matter for the entire year, no matter where you may be in the world.
If your theme is based around street photography, check out how to convert your smartphone into a street photography camera.
Choosing Your Theme and Setting Parameters
Your theme will ultimately determine what parameters you will set for yourself each day. Now, you may think that you don’t need rules or any specific theme to shoot a 365-day photography project, and you would be correct.
But if you look around at photographers who have taken the time to plan their projects, in most cases, you’ll find that these projects have a purpose. Their work is simply “better” compared to someone who’s just randomly shooting anything in sight for the sake of fulfilling a quota.
Whatever your choice, there are usually several considerations. For example, if your project is based around faces, you’ll want to think about whose faces you’ll be photographing every day—people you know, strangers, or both.
Even if you’re only focusing on making a self-portrait, you may want to set a specific time of day when the picture will be taken for the sake of continuity. Will these pictures be taken indoors or outdoors, in what kind of light and background? The possibilities are nearly limitless.
A few steadfast rules and restrictions will always make it easier to pull off a 365-day photography project. The important thing is to make your own rules and to never break them if you can help it. It’s quite okay to change things as you go because of obstacles and unforeseen circumstances. However, try to keep a few ground rules that will guide you and inspire you to complete the one-year challenge.
To Plan B or Not to Plan B?
What if something happens during the year and it becomes impossible to photograph your theme for the day or even for longer? Having a Plan B may be a good measure in case of health issues and other situations preventing you from photographing.
As already mentioned, it’s okay to change things up. Make plans for sick days. Would you still be able to work on your 365-day photography project if you got the flu? Choose something else to photograph on those days that would make sense for your project. It’s also okay to simply pause it altogether. The worst-case scenario is that you start over from scratch. It’s not the end of the world!
In any event, a good Plan B will enable you to continue shooting or give you the freedom and clarity of mind to simply start over again at a later date.
Naming Your 365-Day Photography Project
Naming your project need not be complicated, but your name should sum up what your main theme is. It could be as simple as “Faces” or “Love,” or a little bit more specific, like “Cars in My Neighborhood” or “One Year at the Beach.”
Take some time and figure out the best possible name. If nothing comes to mind right away, compile a list of potential candidates and decide on the best one.
But who says that you can’t start your 365-day photography project without a name? You make the rules. If you’re stuck but have everything else figured out, begin shooting and decide on a name later. You’ve got a year to come up with a good name, right?
Publishing and Sharing Your Work
You may want to share your work on social media or your website if you own one. This is a great way to connect with your audience and to let them know what you’re up to. You may find it helpful to receive appreciation and encouragement throughout your one-year journey.
If you’re not interested in sharing your work, this is fine too. But it helps to consider what your ultimate destination is for your 365-day photography project. Will it be open to the public and will you be sharing regular updates? Do you want to publish a photo book at the end of the year? Or will you simply consider the year-long project to be an exercise in photography?
There are no right or wrong decisions here. But planning this aspect of your project will help with time management at the very least.
Plan for Expenses and Time Management
It makes good sense to plan for any expenses you may incur for your project. If you have to travel, factor in how much your fuel costs would be averaged out over a year. If you’re taking public transport, determine what your best available options would be: daily, weekly, or monthly passes?
If you’ve never shot a 365-day photography project before then it’s not a good idea to spend a lot of money on unnecessary gear. Don’t go overboard. Purchase only the essentials and keep things simple. At the end of the day, it’s only the images and your story that matters. If you already own a camera, computer, and photo editing software, then that’s all you need to get started.
Another important factor is time management, especially if you plan on sharing your images as you go. For instance, if you are shooting daily and want to share daily too, you’ll have to think of your days in this way: shoot, edit, and share.
Each one of these phases will cost you in time. Plan accordingly. Again, if you have to make adjustments along the way then that’s okay. But getting your shots in for the day is the top priority, always. Everything else can wait if need be.
Why Do a 365-Day Photography Project?
You may ask why this question wasn’t positioned at the beginning of the article. The reason is simple. You may not have a reason for starting a 365-day photography project other than the fact that you’ve never done one before. This is all the justification you need.
Here’s a suggestion that may help you along the way. Continue to ask yourself why you’re doing your project, even after you’ve already started. Have this conversation with yourself daily. The process of questioning can serve as a valuable tool to enhance your process and to improve your photography.
You may be surprised to discover new answers over the year, answers that only emerge with experience after you’ve already tucked a few weeks or months under your belt. See where these new answers may lead you. This is one year out of your life—make it meaningful.
Join the 365-Day Photography Project Club
Taking on an everyday project for a year is an epic adventure. You can use any camera. You don’t have to own an expensive one or be a professional photographer. All you need to start is to find a theme that will keep you engaged for a year.
Set yourself up for success. Plan your 365-day project so that it’s both meaningful to you and easy to get your shots. The more effort you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
At the end of the year, you’ll have a few hundred images to show for your efforts. You’ll also have achieved what few photographers have ever accomplished: a membership to an exclusive club, where the dues are paid with daily images.