Project Life Round 2 is in the Books...Literally!

Two days ago the brown truck brought a much anticipated box from Shutterfly with these in it. I finally finished my Project Life album(s) for 2010. These 2 books hold a year full of memories one day, one week, one month at a time. This whole process has given me a sense of accomplishment and a better look at how I want to capture my families memories and also organize those memories for my kids.  I'm learning that I really want a system that 1.) gets my photos into print for everyone to enjoy  and 2.) are organized in some way.

2010 is the second year I've done a photo-a-day.  For a little history on how I got started with this there's a few posts you can click on to see that.   You can see our 2009 book by clicking HERE.  This was the first year Becky Higgins offered this album and I was quick to order one, anxious to start  "scrapbooking" in this way.  In 2010 she offered a digital album as well as the original style but I chose to come up with my own template in Photoshop.  Click HERE to see a post on why I chose to go this direction.


Page #1 of the Book #1.

Page #2 of Book #2.

Last page of book #1.

Last page of book #2 including one of my new favorite sayings "Capture Life".

Every month begins with one full page photo and then a "month at a glance". (these calendars are by Ali Edwards and available at Designer Digitals)


Everyone in our family has one BIG picture of them and then there are family photos and also a few of the kids together.

One of our "typical" weeks.






Yes, it is possible to stick to a photo-a-day for a vacation. (however, I have been creating vacations albums, too)


One key for me is to keep on top of choosing my photo and labeling them. Every few days I make sure I go through my photos and pick out the photo that will be for that specific day. I have a file on my computer labeled Project Life 2010 (or now 2011) and when I choose my photo for that specific day I "save as" and name it that date. At the end of June and the end of December I save them to another spot (I also save the periodically throughout the year to and external hard drive or on-line to make sure I always have them save in 2 different places at all times).

Do I ever have more than one photo for the day?
Yes, sometimes I just can't decide so I save 2 or 3 or 5. :) I may not use it but it's there amongst my other "favorites". Or if there happens to be a day I don't have a photo, I either forget or just didn't get one, I can use one of the extras'

As you can see this is something I LOVE and has worked for me.  Head over to Becky Higgins's blog to see how easy it really can be.  You can do a month at a time, too.  It doesn't have to be a photo a day.  Her video on March 3 got me all excited to go back to the years I don't have in books yet and just give a year in review, month by month.  It's something everyone can do!  So who's on board?  How many of you are doing this?!?

A HUGE THANK YOU!

This fun bunch were the last of the Valentine's shoots that I did. I think all 3 of these families did it as a surprise for their Dad's and other family members. What a great Valentine's surprise! We had 13 participants in the Abbey Project Fundraiser!! Thank you, thank you!  Once we have everyones orders we'll be able to pass on your gifts to The Abbey Project.  Check her blog out HERE to see what great project she's currently a part of.

A couple more Valentine's!

Seriously, a couple of my favorite girls! Love it when they come hang out.  And dear sweet Claire, I LOVE your shoes! :)
We've been having a great month supporting The Abbey Project. A couple more days this week to wrap things up! So thankful for all of you who participated!

A couple of Valentine's

These two are a couple of my favorite clients and they came to visit this month and take advantage of my February special!

Thanks, girls, for visiting!  You were awesome as usual!  Hope your Daddy liked his valentine.

There's a couple spots available next Friday (Feb 25) if you still want to get in on The Abbey Project February Special. Click HERE for details.  We've had a lot of fun with it so far this month with some great families taking advantage of it!

Happy Valentine's Day

It's become a tradition for us to make homemade Valentine's for all the kids to take to school.   Click here for our 2009 project and here for our 2008 project. I'm thinking last year we took the year off. :) Mia and I have loved (most of the time, sometimes it's more like strongly dislike and wonder what we've gotten ourselves into) making these Cake Pops.  So this year we decided this is what was going to be the Valentine's treat for school.  Yesterday we mass produced these bad boys.


(Sorry, watermark is in a bad spot.)


I know, I know, I'm no Pioneer Woman when it comes to photographing the stages of food preparation.

Hope you all had a great day and felt loved by those around you!

Road trip

This fall I had the opportunity to head south to Olympia to photograph these two beautiful families. Their property was a perfect place to shoot. We were all over the place, having to dodge just a few rain clouds, and capturing some beautiful smiles and memories. Thank you, guys, for inviting me and my girls to your home for a great day!

February Special!

February has just begun so now is the time to take advantage of the $10 sitting fee this month. Schedule a shoot on Wednesdays or Fridays for the month of February and your shoot is just $10/person. The sitting fees from these days as well as 20% of print sales goes to THE ABBEY PROJECT.  If your session is before February 7th you will be able to get your photos by Valentine's Day!  E-mail me today to schedule your session!  (simplyenjoyphotography@gmail.com)





Another beautiful family from this winter! These guys were so great and so much fun to shoot!