Before last year, I had never done a photography project of any kind. Initially I was drawn to a 365 project because I could see the potential for true growth over a longer period of time. I decided that a project focused on gratitude would likely serve me well, so on January 1, 2014 I decided to photograph one thing each day for which I was grateful. On January 11, 2014, I almost quit. That’s my husband’s favorite part to tell. I really was ready to throw in the towel early in the game, but I’m glad I stayed focused. This type of project is a challenge and a serious commitment of time. I’ll tell you in advance that I completed the project, but here’s what I wish someone told me before I started:

1 | Find a way to stay accountable to yourself, and find it early.

I posted an image each day to Facebook. Knowing that others might be looking for my picture of the day was incentive enough for me not to quit.

2 | You will be challenged to stay creative.

You think you know that you will be challenged creatively before you commit, but it’s hard to truly appreciate how much until you are on day 241 and wondering how you can make a rock look pretty.

3 | You will feel like a slave to the project.

Did you know that 365 means EVERY day? All of them. Photographing, editing, and posting is time consuming. There will be MANY moments of regret (until day 365).

4 | You will cheat.

You will have to. It’s okay. Forgive yourself early. I posted one image in color once, and I reused it in black and white on a day when you could not have paid me to pick up my camera. Guess what happened? Nothing. The 365 police didn’t even call. Chances are, no one noticed. I granted myself a few breaks along the way.

5 | You’ll think and re-think about how much personal information you are sharing through your images.

Occasionally, I felt like I was over-sharing images of my children. I never want my photography to infringe on their privacy or create altered perceptions of them.

6 | People will feel connected to you through your images.

I was flattered at the number of people who actually followed my daily project. Sharing images can be deeply personal, and some people will feel like they really get to know you. Let this thought sink in. This is generally a blessing (but can occasionally be a curse…).

7 | The pay-off’s are huge!

You’ll find a flow to your work. You’ll EARN your rhythm of shooting, editing, and posting. You’ll grow by leaps and bounds, and you will feel a profound sense of accomplishment. I promise!

If you are considering a project to fund your artistic growth, I would highly recommend one with a daily commitment. And, if you have completed a personal photography project, I am curious if you had a similar experience. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.