Project 365 is a “project” where a person commits to taking one photo everyday. I have started Project 365 (P365) at least twice in the years I have been a digital scrapbooker and quit as many times within ten days. P365 is something that I have always loved the idea of, but has also been too overwhelming for me, not to mention how behind I felt in scrapping it. Remembering to take a photo every single day, just didn’t happen and my reality didn’t allow me to do a layout each week. I often felt like a failure.
So, the last time I tried P365, I swore it off for good. I accepted the fact that I would never be able to achieve that goal and therefor, would not attempt again. Until…
A listener of The Digi Show posted that they had found an iPhone app that was really helping them with Project 365. I downloaded Photo 365 and on 11/11/11 (at 11:11) I decided to start P365 and see how long it stuck (I seriously had given it no thought prior to that exact moment). With some new allowances in place, I have been successful since. This is the longest I have ever stuck with this daily photo project.
Why It’s Working This Time
This is another method of documenting memories. With the app, I can enter a bit of text about the photo that is added to the images metadata. This has become a way for me to document memories that might not have been documented in any other way. Small details in my life that I would never do a layout about, but will enjoy looking back on later (for example: my internet grocery order being delivered, a screenshot of doing Facetime with my husbands family on Christmas Eve, my record high score in Ticket to Ride on the iPad, the clock as I sit in the parking lot at a crazy early morning hour waiting for my daughter, etc.)
It’s less about the photos and more about the memories. Because this is another way to document my life, I’ve told myself that it’s okay to use screenshots of texts, emails, or other items as my photo for a day. This has been a super fun addition.
(The above text was sent to my daughter the day after my car was hit by a teenager in the parking lot while waiting for her).
I didn’t start at the first of the year. I know this would be a barrier to some people and you need to do what works for you. I have now realized that one of the reasons P365 hasn’t been successful for me in the past is because I am burned out at the first of the year. After the craziness of the holidays and everything that comes with it, my heart just isn’t into it.
I’m not scrapping these photos. Some of the photos might end up in layouts, but most of them will not. I’m not worrying about doing a layout each week or each month with these photos. Removing the mental requirement that I must scrap these photos has given me a lot more freedom!
An automated daily reminder. I was able to set up a daily reminder at a specific time in the app (1pm in the afternoon). This has been the biggest contributing factor to my success. It comes in similar to a text by vibrating my phone and putting an alert up.
I can forget or miss a day. I am giving myself the allowance to miss a day and come back later and add a photo. I usually take a photo of something from the day that I missed and then add it.
I’m just using my phone. This has simplified a lot of things for me, mostly the keeping track part. I put all of the images into their spot on the calendar in the app and then also add them to my P365 folder of photos for easy access later. My camera on my phone is the camera that is with me most often, no remembering to bring the big one.
I’m enjoying it. So far, I typically look forward to figuring out what photo or thing will be my photo of the day. Some days, I am more excited than others, but that’s just part of life. This hasn’t become “one more thing to do” and I hope it stays that way. If it does ever become a chore, I will most likely drop it.
(I think it’s important to note (especially for Android users) that you don’t need this app, you could easily set a daily alarm on your phone and put all of the photos into a folder or album. I think the calendar is a super fun addition and worth the 99 cents, if you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.)
I think it was Anna Aspnes that said on one of The Digi Show episodes that we are often limited by the rules that we give ourselves. I have found this to be true for me with P365. By not limiting myself to what P365 should or should not be, I have been able to document more of my life, and to me, that’s what it’s all about!
Looking for support and inspiration for Project 365?
One of my favorite sites for P365 inspiration and ideas is Katrina Kennedy’s Capture Your 365. Katrina’s daily email reminders have quickly become one of my favorite sources of P365 and photography information.
ZigZag Scraps has a few forums for P365 and P52 set up.
Check out Oscraps gallery.
If I did decide to scrap my P365 photos, I would probably use every{day} life 365 system by Weeds and Wildflowers. They also have a support forum and gallery in place:
Be sure to check out these older posts as well:
Our first post about P365 on our second day in existence.
P365 Check in at 4 mos. and 11 days
Share This Using…
I heard about the Iphone app but I too have an Android so I sought out a similar app and it is called 365 photos in the Android market. Very close to the Ipod app. I am going to give this a try. I hope this helps everyone.
I too have fallen off the Project 365 wagon several times.
Going to get the app, as although I don’t always have my camera, I ALWAYS have my iphone, and it would be easier to snap an image without feeling so conspicious!
Will give it a go
Happy New Year from N Ireland.
Santa brought an iPhone this xmas and I’m in a app frenzy.
I just downloaded the app and will give a try to do the P365 for the 1st time. Thanks for the great post!
2012 will be my 3rd year of P365/POTD. I wish I had an iPhone so I could use this app! I will give it a go on my iPad! Thanks for the info!
I have a android phone – I have a free app called “365 Photos”. I can not say that I have tried it yet – I am a bit more on the “Katie” side of things and have my phone alarm set on Jan 1 to start. I am currently doing P-365 w/ Becky Higgins set, and I have struggled – weeks can go by w/o any pics – but I always start back up and do it my way – I throw in a digi page here and there in a different sized page protector, but why not – it’s my book right? and my kids like it – they will randomly pick it up and reminisce about the year at hand (and funny thing – no one comments on dates that I missed or the fact that it is not all in matching page protectors…) funny how we let those things bother us….
Well good luck Steph – I love the show – and love the blog! Thanks for making all this happen!
sorry, PS. Not sure how I will get these pics in a book for next year – but I know that I will – It’s for my kids, so they can remember the big and little things of the year at hand.
Katie tweeted this morning that she restarted P365 on Dec 1
that’s funny – and the world didnt end. she is so brave!
I used the Project 365 kit from Wild Blueberry Ink this year and it was awesome! The PSD files are customizable so you can move things around, resize, etc. to fit your pictures and journaling. I also loved that there was room to journal a bit for each picture rather than one big paragraph for the whole thing. I’m convinced it was this kit that helped me stay on track all year long! I’ve already bought their new release for 2012!
http://www.mscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=4579&cat=75&page=1
http://www.mscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=2286&cat=75&page=8
Great post! I’ve used the Weeds and Wildflowers kits for several years for my 365. This year, I am using Anna Aspnes Everyday Art Palette. It’s neutral and has great word art for this. There’s a set of 366 word art too. They tie in with her Fotoinspired templates which are sorted by picture amount. If I only take two photos that week, I just pick one with two spots. Perfect for my tendency to miss days through the year. There are so many ways to get this project done. That’s why I love it. Here’s a link to the ones I am using: http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=29176&cat=383&page=1 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=29175&cat=383&page=1
http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=29171&cat=383&page=1
I love your idea, but have have an android. One system I have been using successfully this year is ‘Project Scrap’ -from Shabby Princess at the Shabby Shoppe.com. Its a total of 10 pictures for each month and a two page template. I actually have a year almost ready to go! The templates are free each month and its simple enough that even I have had success. Even through sickness, car wrecks, etc. there isn’t the pressure of each day. She has it all laid out so that in January we will get the covers and its ready to print into a book. Can’t beat that!
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/category/project-scrap-2011/
Aw, man. This is so cool but I have an Android phone. So far I haven’t found anything similar… I’ll keep looking! Project 365 seems like so much work but I know I’d really enjoy having it 10 years from now.
Do the comments you add with that app really pull into other photography programs? I’m looking for a way to pretag photos before import to iphoto, and have yet to find an app that does it. Comments don’t mean anything to me on my phone if they aren’t going to transfer….
When I tested it by uploading to Flicker, the comments did transfer. I haven’t tested it with any other programs. I don’t think you would be able to tag photos with it, but comments should transfer.
I just did a search in the app store on metadata and there are several apps that will allow you to add keywords, tags, and descriptions to the metadata of your photos on your phone. Once it’s added to your metadata, it should transfer to any program.
Thanks for the reply! I think adding tags from the phone would help my process the best, albeit getting the new iPhone this year has really improved my photo taking. I’ve got the day off today (my boss rocks) so will go app hunting. I’ll be new to 365 and am already putting my spin on it-more documentation, focusing on 1-2 things a week. Well, we’ll see how this is going in a few months! Thanks for the help!
Ok, what I found out…apple doesn’t let you change the metadata to a photo in the photo roll. You can find apps that do this, then save as an additional photo (ie then 2 photos in the photo roll) or as a separate photo in another app, that I would then need to export to iPhoto in a way besides what I do now. Bummer, I hope apple fixes this. I use keywords extensively.
oh my, how did you read my mind? I started 365 in the middle of August on a whim after listening to a Digi Show podcast. I love it and want to make a photo book to record this year. But I have started three different times because I just can’t get the style and form I want. Going to check out the Weeds & Wildflowers system!
Best of luck with your 365 Steph!
I have been faithfully taking photos and creating photo books for my kids’ families for several years now. I think I will try to do the 365 on my droid in 2012 to document my life and leave a legacy of my life for my grandbabies. I will try to create a book at the end of the year. It is amazing how much the family loves these books. I’m not one to get frustrated if I miss a day either. Looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great post. I love that application. I have completed two years of P365 and I have to say I agree with you about 2012 I am going to sure have a go doing the Weeds and Wildflowers system. I cant wait to get started as this year I had a break