47/52
“A portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
Poet: we’ve been waking up earlier than the boys and I usually find her here, playing or reading or talking to herself.
Only five portraits to go. Can you believe it?! If you had of asked me mid-year whether I would continue this project in 2015 I would have said no. But now, looking back on everything that I’ve captured – the moments and the story – I realise why this week-by-week project is so poignant. Sure, there are some weeks where getting the camera out and taking a photo can seem like a bit of a chore, but the end result is always worth it.
I suppose now is a good time to ask: will you continue next year? If so, what do you expect from me? I am lining up a few feature posts based on this project, photography skills and filing systems to ensure that you make it as easy as possible to turn your photos into a precious keepsake. If there’s anything else you would love to read please let me know!
And how exciting to think that come March sometime, I’ll have a newborn to photograph, too!
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i was curious whether you were going to continue or not. i know you have been back and forth about it. but, there is a little one on the way too…. i am glad you have decided to go forward with this project. this is my second full year and i plan on continuing in the new year as well. maybe have a few different challenges next year? like one week have it be a black&white portrait, or sepia….?either way, it's a great project!
My only concern with setting challenges is that it creates obligation for people…and I never want to do that. I think what I love most about this project is that it documents normal, everyday moments – the ones we truly want to remember. That said, there is a part of me that wants to shoot more b+w so perhaps I'll set a personal goal for myself. We'll see…x
This is my first year participating, and I will definitely jump in again next year if you are doing it.
Wonderful! x
it was my first year to this project and I admit some weeks it has been difficult to make portraits, especially in the rainy weeks of the spring here. Perhaps one week out of two we should focus not on their faces… but try to have another way of looking at our kids?
I always encourage "unportraits" and if you go through my 2013 posts, you'll see that I took quite a few portraits of Che's hands, his toys and books – they're probably some of my favourites x
Oh that's true, and I have to work on myself, not wanting to show always their faces… I loved your post about it few weeks ago when talking about out to make portraits without showing too much of our kids. Oh by the way, perhaps in my comment I forget to tell how much I loved to whole process this year, of making those portraits and how I like to come back to them now also…
i too have been going back and forth about sticking with it, but i just looked back at all of the images from the last 2 years and it is amazing how much my little ones have grown…and i also hope to have many big exciting things to photograph next year, so yeah! looking forward to another year and glad you will be hosting it!
Good to hear x
When I started in January I wasn't sure how difficult the commitment would be … I've found it a lot more easier than I expected to keep up. Some weeks I put more thought and effort into my pictures but that's to be expected. I cannot wait to turn 2014 into a photo book. I really look forward to continuing in 2015 especially as I'm expecting to photograph a newborn in March as well.
The feature posts you mention sound great, looking forward to reading those!
There are so many babies due in March! x
She's getting so big, such a beauty! I started with family pictures this year and failed, bit it's made me more determined to do portraits next year! You are such an inspiration! xxx
I commend those who can keep up with the family portraits each week x
I'm so pleased you're continuing with the project Jodi. I love looking at your work. I must admit I'm quite undecided as to whether I should do it next year, or publish it anyway. I may do it for myself and my family but not post… I'm not sure. Ronan begins school next year and I don't know how much I want his photographs online anymore.
Perhaps you could just publish Finn and Nellie's photos? x
This is such a beautiful picture, she looks very contemplative. Lovely to hear that you plan to continue the portraits project next year! x
I'll be doing it in 2015 as well. I love looking back on all the photos together. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
I got slack and quit halfway through. Part of me regrets it, but I had begun feeling forced to find a good time to photograph the girls… as someone who is not a photographer it was hard. I will definitely consider trying again next year though. I feel as though I owe it to my daughters to have a solid record of their youth as it goes by in the blink of an eye and so much can be forgotten.
I'd love to read about your photo filing system. I feel overwhelmed every time I open my iPhoto and I'd love some help!
Beautiful photo – young Poet has blossomed this year. Have a beautiful weekend and stay cool. Linda. x
i'm glad you are continuing next year, especially with a newborn on the way!! i have been torn about continuing next year. I have done one year of 365 and two years of Project 52 – this year I did weekly portraits of all three kids AND my hubby (individually). Lol that was pretty intense, esp remembering to take a photo of hubby 😉 But I am so glad I have done it. Maybe next year I could wind it back to a highlight portrait each week but not have to be one of every person, esp as I would like to wind back photos of my now school aged daughter. Mmmm, still torn! Its hard to let go of the habit, I must admit!
Oh and one thing I miss Jodi is when you used to highlight a few portraits from the previous week at each weekly post. It was a nice way to draw attention to different portraits you may not have had a chance to look at. Though I know it would be more work for you to go looking I did enjoy that little feature! xx
oops, mega post 😉
Hi Kate, I agree that the habit is a hard one to break. Highlighting my five favourite portraits became a little too much during my exhausted first trimester and I just haven't picked it back up. However, I do intend to do it next year. x
Is that a slip on your sofa? If so I would love to know where you got it.
It's an ikea ektorp armchair with an unbleached linen cover from French company, Bemz x
Yay! I can't wait to finally be able to join in with my newborn in Feb!
Yes please continue….I made beautiful photo books with mine last year and hope to do the same this year…..help with filing the pics easy us a good one.
Love the look of your girl just kicking back too.
This is my second year following your portrait project and doing it myself with my daughter. It really has taken on a new role for me. It's become a ritual that I enjoy so much. I love the book I made for my daughter last year and I cant wait to have another one from this years portraits. I will certainly be continuing on next year!
btw, this may be my favorite portrait of Poet. I love the light and the easy going nature. Just stunning.
xoxo summer
I have loved the ritual this year, and it's been far less pressure to commit than I anticipated. I loved having a reason to post on the blog each week, and I can't wait to create a book of the portraits from this year. I definitely intend to continue, although perhaps I'll just photograph the two little ones next year. Thanks for all you've done this year, especially while you're growing a human 😉 While the shout-out each week to highlight a few portraits is lovely, I can imagine it's hard work. I think I would still do it even if you weren't officially 'hosting' the 52 Project x
Now I have a grandson as well as a three year old and twenty two year old, how can I not want to continue next year? So many beautiful family moments to preserve
I have done it each year and for the first time I've just made photobooks as xmas presents for all 5 children, I went Dec-Nov to get them printed in time, it was quite nice to start the books with xmas. Glad you are going to continue
lovely portrait jodi! I think i will also keep going next year! I must admit i have struggled this year with increased workload etc but in the end I think it is so valuable to have a curated selection of images that are ready to turn into a photobook at the end of the year. The thought of sitting down to compile a photobook at the end of the year without having made any selections along the way would be almost impossible! x
Beautiful photo and lovely concept (I'm obviously just a little late to learning about your challenge). It is something I would love to do one day if I'm fortunate enough to have children.
Well, you know I'll definitely be joining in again next year. Wouldn't miss it for the world. And I just can't wait to see some precious newborn photos come March.
I will definitely be joining in…I know my photography has improved so much in part because of this project. Not to mention I have captured so many moments and memories.
My boy is getting to the don't photograph me stage so I will likely focus more on the newborn…so exciting!
I started at week 27 but it has absolutely been worth it and I will definitely be joining in next year! Thank you x
I would love to join in next year. I haven't previously but that's because i felt i didn't have anywhere to share them but now i use Instagram so maybe i can post them there? Am i able to join in through there?I love photography & hope to improve so hopefully it will reflect in my portraits of my munchkin throughout 2015.
I would love any tips on portrait/unportrait photography Jodi (as someone new to a DSLR and trying to use manual settings as much as possible). I'd love to join in on the 52 project but having 3 children I doubt that I could keep up with 3 pictures per week (and I'm concerned about posting many portraits online). I'm interested in what you do with your favourite portraits too, how not to just keep them building up in a computer file? And finally, I'd love to know your reasons behind not posting pictures of Che, is it because he protests or that you are trying to give him the privacy? I really enjoyed your post not so long ago about posting pictures of children online and how to get around it. Thanks x
And now I think I might want to join in 🙂
I do love a good photo project!
I didn't participate in 2014, but would love to join in the coming year.
Hi Jodi,
This is my second year of photographing my children once a week, every week along with you and others. I really enjoy this project and plan on continuing into 2015. I do find some weeks harder than others and occasionally post photos taken with my phone or camera that I'm not overly thrilled with but post regardless to keep up. I think my children are two of the oldest of all the linkers that join you but I am so happy I continued as the photos from last year up to most this years week 47 and beyond are a priceless bit of time captured. Certainly the changes are not as significant as you would see in babies or toddlers but there is definitely noticeable differences. I love looking back. I'm so grateful to have found you at Che & Fidel and now here with the 52 Week Project. My photos are treasures and I would never have done this without your inspiration! Thank you Jodi!!!
This is my first year and have loved it, I'm proud of myself to have kept up with it and will definitely be continuing next year. I love reading all your posts and seeing your beautiful photography, look forward to seeing the arrival of bubs next year. You are going to be just fine with three 🙂
This has been my first year joining in, and I would love to continue next year! And the featured posts sound really great too. Thanks for hosting this wonderful linky.
This is my second year participating and it has made such a huge difference in my photo taking. The difference in this years photos compared to last year is huge. xo