I have been doing a 365 project this year where I take at least one picture a day everyday for the whole 366 days this leap year. So far, so good. Some days I am camera happy, other days it feels like a chore, but I know that I will love to look back at my year in pictures and feel so happy that I committed myself to this challenge. I have not had my camera in my camera bag once this year and having it out is a constant reminder that there are moments happening right under my nose that I should document. After this year in pictures is over, I will make a yearbook that will most certainly be a treasured keepsake. I probably won’t include a picture from each day in the album, but there won’t be a shortage of images, that’s for sure.

So, I encourage you to keep your camera out. Even if you aren’t taking a picture everyday, you will see your camera there and you will most likely be inclined to take a picture or two. Sure, you can use your iphone, but really, what then? Can you make an album with iphone pictures? Will they look good bigger than a 4×6? Well, I don’t know because I haven’t tried, but I can guarantee that they won’t look nearly as good as what comes out of your camera. Even if you just have a point and shoot!

Just don’t miss out on your lives. Slow down, take some pictures, live in the moment and capture real moments. Like this example below:

This was me at 11 years old. Crying and devastated over having to clean my room. (I think that was my look of “I am going to kill you for taking my picture!”) But, I remember that day!  I only remember it because there is this picture that my sister (who thought I was being ridiculous) snapped of me. A REAL MOMENT! Not only was it real, but is such a great environmental portrait too. Just look in my closet! Those clothes! I wish I could look through that closet today. But, at least having this image is a reminder of the time and age of this photo. Guess what? That blue hanger on the ground: I still have it. I have all of my kid hangers. Don’t know why I kept them, but I am using them for my kids today. Kind of neat.

Now that I have stressed to you the importance of keeping your camera out, I also want to suggest to you that YOU should be in your photos too. Don’t always be behind the camera. Hire a photographer (me) or at least put the timer on your camera. Take pictures! Make a yearbook. How cool would it be for your future generations to be able to see your lives in these annual keepsakes? If that is too much for you, hire a photographer (me) to do it for you! You can book your yearbook package with me and I will document 6 different days from your year or 6 events and at the end of the year, you will have yourself a custom yearbook filled with memories and YOU. Not just your family, but YOU too. You won’t need to be the photographer and YOU can actually be a part of the family. A yearbook doesn’t only have to be for a family, either. It could be for a couple in love, a baby’s first year, a restoration project, or even just YOU. Think about it. Consider it. It is a great investment.