January 1st I embarked on a photographic voyage. My destination? One photograph, every day, for a full year. Here are a four things I’ve learned during the first month of my 365 project:

I am a perfectionist with limited technical skills. Not the best combination. When you look at one of my photographs, I want you to see exactly what I saw and maybe even feel what I felt in the moment I snapped the shutter.

However, technology has never been my strong-suit. My eyes glaze over whenever I try to read a manual. Yet photography requires a certain level of technical comfort, both in being able to use my camera to the best of its (and my!) ability and in knowing how to post-process my pictures in a way that brings them to life.

I am overly self-critical. I spent hours putting together my collage of photographs. Several wise (and experienced) mamas from my Mamas with Cameras group offered advice, and suggested websites and programs to help me achieve my goal. I looked at their collages, with orderly rows of squares and lovely photos and wanted to do what they were doing. But mine? To me it looked like a mishmash of sizes and subjects. Why couldn’t I figure this out? Why can’t I identify my niche?

Guess what? As soon as I posted it, in came the kudos: I like how all the photos aren’t the same dimensions. That’s really neat! I feel a bit limited by my squares, and you did a great job! Your photographs are very serene.

I have a color palette! Who knew? Not me, apparently, but one of the comments on my collage made me think. Our templates all have different tones and such. Yours feels so cohesive, almost like one of those Pinterest color palette swatch kits.

I did a double-take. I looked at my collage, and then I looked at several of the other photographer’s collages. Sure enough, I could see exactly what she was observing. Some of the collages had palettes of warm tones: golds and browns. Other collages were bright and playful. And mine? Well it does indeed have its own je ne sais quois.

I love photography! This isn’t news to me or to most people who know me, but taking pictures every day for 31 days has confirmed…I like it. I really like it. Honestly, I could spend hours behind the camera (and post-processing too but let’s not go there). I find it both thrilling and soul satisfying. As with gardening, there are few things I do where I completely lose track of time and let the moment envelop me. Photography is my meditation.

Of course, let’s see how I feel about this after 335 more days. Meanwhile, here’s January! Take a look.

Thanks to all the folks participating in 365project.org who’ve been commenting on my photos and stroking my ego. And a special shout-out to Mamas with Cameras, particularly our 365/52 Project Wonder Women–I am so grateful for your support and wisdom. Click on Mamas!

And you? What takes you to that place inside yourself?

It’s all about the journey,

Beth