Yearbook: Documenting your Everyday

Do you ever wonder what to take pictures of on a daily or even weekly basis to create a page protector album (My Life, Project Life, Project 365)? Are you uninspired? Do you feel like your subject is always the same? Are you wondering 'HOW will I really create a memorable layout each week!?' No fear! I will help make this process less stressful and hopefully more memorable through various blog posts this year.

Photography Equipment

Lets not have this title scare you. You do not have to have fancy equipment to take photos. Actually, a good phone camera will do the trick or a simple point and shoot that you can easily carry around. I'll tell you right now, I'm more apt to take pictures with my phone or my point and shoot than I am with lugging my dSLR around with me. Reasons?

1. Lugging around my dSLR is not a small adventure. I use it for planned photoshoots. It is heavy.
2. A point & shoot or even better yet for me, a phone camera is easy to toss in my purse and I can always have it on me.
   

Photo Ideas

Now, I'm notorious for pictures of my puppy. I post pictures of him sleeping, playing, eating, sitting like a sweet boy, etc. As cute as my little puppy child is, my spreads in my album from week to week would be a little repetitive.

First, Lets clear the air right away. You DON'T need to put every moment in your scrapbook. You DON'T need to create a layout / spread for each week. Design your album to fit YOU and your lifestyle.

So, what are some things we can photograph in our daily lives that is still meaningful, but doesn't look the same from week to week?

Fat Mum Slim

the Idea Room

• Photo a Day. There are many Photo a Day challenges floating around Instagram and the web. Challenge yourself one month or even pick your top 5 topics from a month and focus on photographing those at some point. Make it work for you, again, you don't need to do this daily.
  Snap a Photo a Day
  Fat Mum Slim
  The Idea Room
• Achievements, Awards, Special Recognition. True this doesn't happen every week. But whenever, you or someone in your family is recognized for something, photograph the trophy, certificate or even better yet, the person holding the item.
• Artwork. Photograph or insert your child or your own artwork. Tell the story behind the piece and what it was inspired by or why it was created that week.
• Business Trip? Leisure Trip? Take a photo from the plane window.
• Daily Task. Do you have something you do daily that you feel is worth remembering in the future? Example: morning coffee before the kids wake up while reading the paper.
  
• Sneaky Moment. What happens when you are not in the room? Sneak up on your kids, significant other, a pet, a family member and take a picture of a moment when you are "not suppose to be present". Make it sneaky so they do not hear or see you. This will capture true emotions.

What are some other ideas you have to document everyday life in a meaningful way? Share your ideas in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Photo by Lacey

Photo by Gia

Photo by Jody

Ask yourself...Will this be important in 5 years? 10 years?

With the easy access of cameras, digital photography and easy access printing (from home or a short drive away), we seem to be taking pictures of, well everything. So in this instagram crazed world, how do we pick the best pictures? This is mostly for you to decide, but ask yourself, "Will this picture have meaning in 5 years? How about 10 years?" Did you really need that picture of the Target Shopping cart at the far end of the parking lot? What is the meaning behind the photo?

I'm all for random photos once in a while and I think they are great on Instagram, but we are speaking for an album, something friends and family now and in the future will flip through to reminisce about past memories. Does the photo you choose tell a story? Does it mean something in your life? These questions will help you pick out photos from your every day life that tell your story, your families story. It will put meaning back in your album.

Also, don't feel like you need a spread for each week. Some weeks life may not be filled with memorable document-able moments. And that is okay. Skip the week or create 1 12x12 layout. Document your life the way you feel represents you. There is no right or wrong way to accomplish this.

Photo by Jody

Photo by Erica

Photo by Gia

Want to see how the Clique Kits team documents our every day lives? Follow us on Instagram!
Clique Kits, Lacey, Gia, Jody, Erica.

Thanks for joining me today.

♥ Lacey