For almost three years (!) I’ve kept this blog, Happiness is Eva, with the purpose of documenting my daughter’s childhood and my own journey as I stumble my way through parenthood. Basically, it is a modern baby book. However, at the beginning of 2012, I returned to work part-time. Knowing full well that I wouldn’t have the time to blog as much as I did while on maternity leave, the 366 Photo-a-Day Project was the perfect solution. It has forced me to make the time, to stop on those busy days and capture the essence of my daughter’s childhood.
Sure, it has been challenging, after all I’m not a professional photographer. I’m simply a mum with an ever abounding love for her daughter and a point-and-shoot camera.
Aside from the obvious motivation and incentive to complete this project, I have to say that I feel I am becoming a better photographer because of it. I have become more critical and aware. In turn, this has also meant that I have often struggled to select one single image to represent a particular day. However, on those days I remind myself, that the project is not about capture a “perfect” image everyday, but rather creating a collection of shots to represent the year.
This project became more challenging that I had initially imagined. There were days when I had to work late, days when the sun was going down and I had yet to take a single shot, or simply, days when I just didn’t want to pick up my camera. However, my stubbornness prevailed. I forced myself on days when I didn’t feel inspired (there were more than a few dud pictures along the way) or used one of the awesome pictures Sarah took during the times when our girls played.
Despite its challenges, I’m beyond happy with the results. I love looking through the archives and seeing the milestones, subtle changes, personality quirks and the essence of Eva as 366 days have gone by. And although I love many of the photographs I took — these would have to be some of my favourites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
So, was I crazy for attempting this project? Yes! Am I glad I did it? Yes! Would I do it again? No! Famous last words…
