Take pictures of the things that hold your memories, have sentimental value, remind you of a happy moment or have a story. Be creative and artistic in your crops. The creative crops, journaling (or at least museum type matting and labeling), subjects chosen and publishing is what sets this apart from an album or a scrapbook. It will truly be…your life as ART!

What kind of things would I take pictures of for this project?
There are so many little things that are special every day in our lives. It’s hard to say now what will set something apart to be one of those special memories that you will cherish for years to come. Just because an image is not used in this project does not mean that you cannot use it in your family album or scrapbook. I suggest taking the pictures, choose your favorites, and then give yourself the option of changing your mind on the final images until you are ready to publish. Time will make it more clear, and you have nothing to lose because you will always have the picture…even if it is not included in the final project.

swing, deck, slide, sandbox, basketball goal, doorway measurements, Christmas stockings, favorite stuffed animal, special piece of jewelry, a flower given to you, day trips, vacations, get togethers, etc.

You can take this project to the next level by journaling about what is in the picture.

How often? Is this like project 365 where I take a picture a day?
That is the great thing about this project. The schedule you set is up to you. If you want to take a picture a day and choose ones you want to include in your finished work, you can do that. If you want to set a schedule where you want one image a week or take one day a week to work on this, that will work, too.

How will I know when it is finished?
Well, depending on how you choose to publish it, this could be an ongoing project through your life. Things in our life do not stop being special to us, and you want to keep capturing life. You can just choose different ways to publish it or create different volumes if you choose to do this in a book or slideshow.

Ways to Publish Your Work:

• Calendar
• DVD Slideshow
• Collage
• Wall Screen
• Hardback Book (museum tagged [white border with a descriptive word or title underneath the image or words on one page with full bleed photograph on the next – it just depends on how much journaling you want to include in your book)

Starting and Organizing a Photography Project:

• Write out your idea on paper. This is where you will brainstorm and record your ideas.
• Setup a folder on your computer for this project. Include an area specifically for photographs.
• Begin taking your pictures.
• Process your pictures as you go or all at once depending on the project. I think setting aside a specific day or time of day to work on the project will help keep in the front of your mind and keep it from being too overwhelming with too much to do at once.
• When you want to include words and are at a loss, try including a poem or lyrics to a song if it is for personal use only.

My Personal “My Life As Art Photography Project”

I’m taking pictures of the things that hold our memories, have sentimental value, remind us of a happy moment or memory or have a story.

My children are grown now. I so wish I would have started this when they were little. Imagine all of the beautiful memories you would have over the period of all those years. Most of those things are long gone now for us. Some of those things we still have. I’m just going to have to look a little harder. I may find it in a Christmas tree ornament or stocking, an old toy we saved, or a special blanket. You will be surprised where you find your story – it may be in a small detail. It often is.

If your children are still young and at home, you are so blessed that you can do this now while everything is still so fresh in your mind. One day, it will not be so easy to recall.

When I am finished I will have it printed in a hardback book and make copies for my children. What a beautiful heirloom this will make! I can also make a calendar, collage, or dvd slideshow.

Join our flickr group and share YOUR pictures! We would love to hear your stories, too!

My Life As Art Photography Project – flickr Group

Or if you have them on a website, include a link to share and inspire others!