Having completed my 366 Days Photography Challenge, I find myself reflecting on what this year-long journey has taught me and the helpful lessons we can draw from it. Whether you’re embarking on a challenge in your profession, business, or personal life, these insights might provide some guidance. This experience tested my resilience, creativity, and commitment, pushing me to grow both as a professional photographer in Aberdeen, Scotland and as an individual. Far more than just a daily task, this challenge became a truly transformative journey.
Counting the Days Can Be Messy
One practical lesson I’ve learned: keep a separate log of the day and the task completed (in my case, the photo I took). It’s all too easy to repeat or skip numbers by mistake and only realise at the end of the year that you’ve miscounted—just as I did!
Expanding Creativity and Technical Skills
Creating an image every day forced me to think outside the box. I practised new techniques, experimented with compositions, and explored creative solutions to produce meaningful photos even when time was short or the weather was bad. This process significantly enhanced both my technical and artistic skills. For instance, I used regular items from my home to create imaginative photos when going outside wasn’t an option.
Testing Resilience and Discipline
Throughout the year, I faced various challenges, from unpredictable weather to juggling a busy family life and work schedule. Even during stressful times, such as supporting a relative in the hospital, I remained committed. This taught me the importance of resilience and discipline in achieving long-term goals.
Self-Portrait Confidence
Before starting this challenge, stepping in front of the camera felt intimidating. Now, self-portraits are a comfortable—and even enjoyable—part of my routine. They’ve allowed me to connect more deeply with my work and have provided material to better serve my clients. Additionally, they’ve helped me create images to support my personal brand.
The Habit of Sharing Stories
Posting daily on social media and writing weekly blogs became integral parts of the challenge. These habits enabled me to engage with a community of supporters who shared their thoughts and encouragement.
Remarkably, the consistency of posting increased visits to my website by 151% in 2024.
Time Management and Adaptability
Balancing this challenge with running my business, volunteering, and family commitments required careful planning. It honed my time management skills and taught me to adapt quickly to changing circumstances—whether due to a rainy day or an unexpected change of plans.
Learning to See the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
The challenge encouraged me to find beauty and inspiration in everyday moments. It heightened my awareness of the small details that often go unnoticed, enriching my perspective on the world around me.
A Personal Archive of Growth
This project has become a visual diary of my year, providing a rich catalogue of images for social media and storytelling posts. Working with different lighting and circumstances sharpened my ability to think quickly and create images in highly creative ways.
I feel immense gratitude for the lessons it has taught me. This challenge has been about more than just photography, it’s been a celebration of persistence, creativity, and the power of daily effort. To anyone considering a similar venture, I enthusiastically encourage you to take the leap. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
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Thank you for reading.
Bye for now.