In the latter half of 2015 I really began to slack with my photography, I didn't even take many images of my favourite subject - my son Tyler Lee, but with the new year underway I decided that I really wanted to rekindle my passion for all things pictures once again and decided to set myself some photography challenges for 2016, just to keep things interesting and to mix things up a bit. So, below I'm sharing the photography challenges I shall be taking part in this year and hopefully this post may inspire some of my fellow photography lovers to join in too.
January | The Black and White Challenge
I thought this project would be a good one to kick-start the year as January tends to be a bleak month here in Ireland and the dull weather suits the monochrome theme. I began this project yesterday and have already captured some images which I love. The subject can be anything, as long as you either take it in black and white on your camera or add a black and white effect when editing. I'm using the hashtags #janphotochallenge #blancetnoir and #blackandwhite to share my images on Instagram if you'd like to join in too.
February | Things I Want My Son To Know
As February is my sons birth month I wanted this monthly challenge to be all about him and all that I want him to know if life. The plan is to take a picture of moments, things and anything else which gives me inspiration and write a little note to Tyler Lee explaining what I want him to take/know from the image. In my mind I have an image of a rainbow and the phrase - "it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow", letting him know that although you may have to go through hard times, something beautiful can always be achieved - now I just need to find a rainbow! If you'd like to take part in this challenge you're more than welcome to join in and if you have a daughter you can just change the word son.
March | Happiness Is...
March is my birth month and one thing I have always struggled with in life is focusing on the happy stuff instead of the negative, so each picture I snap in March has to be of something that makes me happy and must be captioned with "happiness is...".
April | The Rainbow Challenge
Each day I will choose a different colour of the rainbow and try to capture something with that colour in it. I really love capturing bright, colourful images so this one should be fun!
May | Motherhood
I'm going to become a mother for the second time at some point in May (due the 12th but babies don't stick to time schedules!) so I'd like this month to be all about my adventures in motherhood, capturing an image that makes me happy to be a mummy every day.
June - July - August | 100 Days Of Summer
My favourite time of year to capture photographs is in the summer as we spend lots of time outside, everything is in bloom and everyone seems to be much happier. Every photo I take during these months must embody the essence of summer for me.
September | My Children
My goal in September is to take a picture of my children together each day. I have a feeling that this one is going to be quite a challenge as Tyler Lee is always full of beans and never wants to sit still but I'm still going to give it a go.
October | Mother Nature
October is always such a colourful month, what with the leaves changing colours, etc. so I've decided that nature shall be my focus for October and hopefully this will inspire lots of nature walks with the little ones. The subject can be anything found in nature - sunsets, sunrises, trees, leaves, flowers, etc.
November | Things I Am Thankful For
November is the month where I always seem to neglect my camera because the weather is always terrible and I'm always so busy with the run up to Christmas, but this year I really want to keep photographing through the month and I thought it would be a great challenge to take pictures of things in life that I am thankful for.
December | Merry and Bright
December is such a happy month in our house, what with the build up to Christmas and all, so the challenge in December is to capture merry and bright images - no sadness, no black and white and no dullness allowed. This one should be fun and the twinkling Christmas lights will just add to the festive cheer of the photos.
So there you have it, the photography challenges I shall be doing each month in 2016. Some of these challenges are my own original ideas as I wanted this to be a very personal thing for me. If you'd like to join in with me I'd be delighted. Along with these monthly challenges I'm also going to do Project365 and Living Arrows again because I really want to cherish this time I have with my son before the new baby arrives and then capture their first few months together too.
Are you taking part in any photography challenges this year?
Since starting blogging I have found a real love for taking photos and capturing special moments especially of my 2 very cheeky babies. Your challenges sound great and I would love to take part as I know I don't take as many pictures as I would like! xx
ReplyDeleteLOVE the little bird top! Little bird are out favourites here :-)
ReplyDeleteI think blogging's great because it brings out those interests like photography that we might not have otherwise seen as strongly. I'm a big photography fan and this year want to really get to grips with Lightroom after learning manual photography last year.
ReplyDeleteI do Project 365 - this year it's 366, and Living Arrows, plus I'll be doing Emma Davies' annual photography challenge as well, as there's lots to learn and practice with that
Love Februarys topic of Things I Want my Son to Know - this will be so wonderful to look back on as he gets older, best of luck with the project!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic idea Fí, your photos are stunning, they never fail to make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteNicola xx
I am the worst photographer ever so your project has me running with palpitations to the hills! But, it sounds AMAZING! and to have all those images, will be fantastic, especially in the first year of the new arrival. best of luck and great ideas, very creative.
ReplyDeleteSince starting my blog I have really grown to love photography. I see the picture, but I'm not sure how to use the camera to get the best out of it. I like these challenges and I think they would help me improve too
ReplyDeleteSome great challenges you put together. Hopefully I will be able to join in at some stage. I need to get organised a little more.
ReplyDeleteI used to take part in the photo challenge #fmsphotoaday It's run by an Australian blogger called Chantelle on instagram if you want to have a look.
I like the idea of a photography challenge this year. I might take one myself since I have got a new camera. I am intrigued by the rainbow challenge can't wait to hear more!
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