Photo Finish
Letter board quote from Paul Strand, “Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.”
Editor’s note: This post will evolve as I do. The 31-day photography challenge has been one of the hardest so far, and you’ll see that reflected here. I’ll be sharing the images I’ve completed and updating along the way. I enjoy taking my own photos, but I’m not a photographer, props to those who are! This challenge gave me a whole new appreciation for the craft and patience behind every shot.
Welcome back, compassionate hearts and creative spirits to the Creative Creations series! This series is all about leaning into month-long challenges that push me out of my comfort zone, teach me discipline. And remind me how much consistency shapes creativity. In the first post, I took on Sketch-tember, a 31-day drawing challenge (read here), followed by Pen to Page, a 31-day writing challenge (read here). Each one stretched me in a different way and showed me that growth comes from not waiting for inspiration, but from showing up daily.
Now, I’m taking on something new: a 31-day photography challenge. The point isn’t to become a professional, it’s to experiment, to notice, to capture, and to see how creativity shifts when I commit to it one photo at a time.
So find a cozy spot, grab a yummy snack, or a delicious drink, and settle in with me.
Ahead you’ll find the prompts and the photos I’ve captured so far. Some turned out playful, others imperfect, but all are honest reflections of this challenge in motion.
WEEK 1: OBSERVATION + EVERYDAY BEAUTY (Noticing details + natural composition)
1. Morning light (1st light I see)
Image of a morning sunrise through trees
2. From above (take a flat-lay photo)
An image of a melting popsicle taken from overhead
3. Texture close up
4. Reflections (find a story in it)
Selfie with a mirror reflection in the background
5. Rule of thirds (place subject off-center for balance)
A waterpower int he distance located in one third of the photo
6. Something that makes me smile
A blurry family photo
7. Shadow play (use shadows to create)
A picture of a drawing with shadows
WEEK 2: STORYTELLING + EMOTION (Evoke a feeling)
8. Comfort spot (A place I feel at ease)
A picture lakeside
9. Candid moment (Capture life as it happens)
Pup rolling in the grass
10. Color of the day
A photo of a turquoise/emerald color
11. Through an object (shoot through glass, leaves, fabric)
Picture of a pond looking through a wooden fence
12. Contrast (light vs. dark, new vs. old)
A picture of black and gray cement patterned tiles
13. In motion (moving hand, car lights, wind in hair)
A photo of two individuals peddling a paddleboat
14. Simple still life (arrange 2-3 objects meaningfully)
WEEK 3: EXPLORATION + CREATIVITY (Push perspective + Explore new angles)
15. From the ground up (lie photo low and shot up)
A photo of the sky with clouds
16. Negative space (embrace empty space around my subject)
A picture of a pup on a bridge with nothing else around
17. Shadow or reflection (self-portrait)
A picture of my shadow shown in the pond below
18. Leading lines (roads, hallways)
A long bridge with leading lines to a path
19. Something old (Capture history, texture, a memory)
Photo of some old, rusted equipment cemented in the ground
20. Frame within a frame (use windows, doors, arches)
A photo of me in a frame-like arch
21. Hidden details (photograph something overlooked by most people)
A fallen, green leaf on the ground amongst the wood chips
WEEK 4: STORY SERIES + CONNECTION (Create mini stories + reflective posts)
22. Before + after (Capture small transformation in 2 shots)
The “before” image of a drawing
The “after” image of the drawing
23. Black + white (Focus on shapes and emotion)
Black and white photo of a baseball, popsicle, and hotdog
24. A reflection of me (symbolic, literal, abstract self-portrait)
A self portrait I drew for Everyday Snaps challenge
25. A strangers story (photograph anonymously with consent or from behind)
26. Nature’s pattern (trees, branches, waves)
A photograph of one of my favorite trees, a willow tree
27. My day in 3 photos (morning, midday, evening)
28. Texture triptych (3 textures that tell a cohesive story)
WEEK 5: WRAP UP + SHOWCASE
29. My favorite place reimagined (photograph differently than usual)
A blurry photo of my favorite place
30. Story in 1 shot (Capture a single moment that tells a feeling or story)
A picture of a fun day spent at a Wisconsin State Park
31. The closing image (something symbolic)
A close up picture of my favorite necklace, which is a heart
And that brings my 31-day photography challenge to a close, or at least, to the point where I can look back and reflect on what it taught me. This challenge stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. It wasn’t just about taking pictures, it was about slowing down, noticing details, and realizing how much patience and timing matter when capturing a moment. I may not be a photographer, but through this challenge I gained a whole new respect for the art and the people who practice it daily.
As I wrapped up this challenge, I found myself coming back to a couple of quotes that really stuck with me. Ansel Adams said, “There are always two people in every picture the photographer and the viewer.” And honestly, I felt that with every photo I took. When I snapped the picture, I brought my own perspective of what stood out to me, what I thought was worth capturing. But the photo doesn’t end there. It takes on a new life when someone else looks at it. When you look at these photos, you won’t just be seeing what I saw, you’ll be seeing them through your own lens. Maybe a snapshot will remind you of a place you’ve been, stir up a memory, or spark a totally different feeling than it gave me. That’s the beauty of photography. It’s part me, part you, and somewhere in between is where the real story lives.
Then, there’s Paul Strand’s words: “Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who sees.” I connected with this as well because none of these photos are perfect. They’re not meant to be. But they’re mine. They show where I was, what I noticed, and how I chose to see the world for 31 days. In a way, they’re little records of my life, for anyone who wants to really look
In between these challenges, I’ve been busy editing and reconstructing different sections of my site. It’s been under a bit of construction, but I’m excited to see it taking shape:
The Main - the homepage, where everything begins
The Posts - a space for all my blog posts, including newer ones I’ve been migrating from old sites
The Artistry - dedicated to my art series and creative work
The Scrapbook - photos and snapshots from my life journey and adventures
The Inspo - a collection of words, wisdom, and inspiration that keep me going
The Lore - a corner of the site to share a bit about me and the story behind this space
I’m hoping to have all of this construction wrapped up soon, so each page can fully reflect the heart of my creative journey.
All in all, this photography challenge, like the ones before it, reminded me that the point isn’t perfection. It’s about showing up, trying something new, and seeing what consistency can teach you. In all honestly, long challenges aren’t always easy for me as I lose track of the days, forget prompts, or think I’ve done one only to realize it’s been nearly a week. More often than not, I end up catching up in bursts. If you’re anything like me, shorter challenges might be the sweet spot, they’re just as effective at building a habit without feeling overwhelming.
One piece of advice I once heard and try to keep in mind: habits stick more easily if you can push through that first week (7 days), but the trick is to not skip three days in a row at any given time. That’s usually when excuses creep in and momentum fades.
So, whether it’s 7 days, 14 days, or a full 31, I encourage you to push yourself out of your comfort zone and take a risk. Pick something new. Stick with it, even when it’s messy. The growth is in the showing up.
As we look ahead, there are still two weeks left in the Creative Creations series, with new posts coming Monday, September 22nd, and Monday, September 29th. I can’t wait to share them with you and keep exploring what happens when we challenge ourselves to create with consistency and courage.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
