this time of year is always a bit slow for photographers.  the holiday craziness has ended, the cold has set in and the days are short.  as I mentioned here, i am spending my time over on instagram taking part in my 2nd year of a photo-a-day challenge.  myself, along with some fellow instagrammers have created @my_365!  it has been beyond amazing and it is only a week in!

I think the best part is i end up with tons of photos i may have not taken otherwise!

interested?  It is simple.  follow along at @my_365 and post a photo a day to match the theme. (there is no right or wrong!) themes are posted each week on the account.  use hashtag #my_365 and the theme for the day.  It is an amazing little community to be a part of and push your creativity!

have fun!

happy 2014! 

last year on this day was the first day of my project life 365 on instagram!  I am not even sure how i stumbled across the project, but i was quickly hooked and never missed a day!  I started off just using my phone, but a few months in switch to my camera.  my goals were to stick with it, get more creative and connect with others.  all of the above happened!  

I fell so in love with the project that when they announced that they were not continuing it in 2014, i decided to start my own, with the help of some fellow igers!   if interested in being a part of the project, follow @my_365.  weekly themes will be posted – each day take a photo which somehow incorporates the theme and tag #my_365  (there is no right or wrong, it is just for fun!)

here is my last month from 2013…follow me at: jillmarz

2 apps that I found helpful were squaready and collect.  i like the clean white border that sqaready provides and collect allowed me to make these calendars.  each day i would screen shot my image and just place it in the calendar.  kinda fun to see the month!

see you on instagram!

so many incredible colors.

soooo i have been busy.  a good busy.  my photo session calendar THRILLS me!  i am getting so many awesome clients and opportunities and feel so blessed.  the weather is getting nicer and i promised myself i would enjoy it and NOT sit at my computer editing.  so i have given myself permission to ‘get a little behind’ on other things.  like blogging!

one thing i am completely in love with right now it Project Life 365.  i talk about it here a bit, but i can’t express how much it challenges me and most recently has me using my big camera more and more.  my original plan was to snap away with my iphone, but this past month, i started using my canon.  it has been so awesome for me.  it gives me more practice and i really try to push my creativity with each theme.  i am ALWAYS up for a challenge and this little picture a day thing has been a perfect fit for me!

i even got my daughter, taylor, on board and she hasn’t missed a day – pretty impressive for a teenager.  and each day my other 2 kids ask about the theme and love seeing what others come up with.  we all love it!

here is what april looked like.

interested in starting a 365?  email me for details.

happy wednesday!