Day in the Life Project: The Official Guide

Just what you've been waiting for, the Official Guide to the 2010 Photo project. I've tried to cover the most important details along with common hesitations about participating. I will be expanding on some of these details in the coming weeks but consider this the must-have information you can share with friends you're trying to coerce into joining you in the project! 

The 2010 Day in the Life Photo Project

What: Document an average day in your life through photography

1. Take simple photos of your everyday happenings for 1 single 24 hour period.
2. Share your photos on Flickr. (Beginner's guide to Flickr to be posted in the coming weeks.)
3. Post your Flickr album link at PeanutBlossom.com and be part of the greater snapshots time capsule.

When: A 24 hour segment of your choice between Monday, May 10 – Thursday May 13

You may choose to shoot a traditional day from morning through the evening but several participants from previous projects have also chosen to do from noon to noon over a 24 hour period. The timeframe is up to you.

Why: This annual event is intended to help you gain a new perspective and appreciation for the everyday moments that make up your life and the lives of others. I challenge you to find beauty in the things you normally take for granted: the color of your office stapler or the pattern of chaos at your kitchen table after having lunch with your toddler.

Guidelines for participation:

• Document 24 hours of your everyday life on an average WEEKDAY. This is not a competition to see who leads an exciting weekend existence; please limit your photo journal to a day between Monday and Thursday.
• Shoot, shoot, shoot! Collections should have an absolute minimum of 30 photos (that’s just about 2 per waking hour of any given day).
• Post your photos and share. After your 24 hours frenzy is up, you may edit and select your favorite 30-60 photos to load into a Flickr photo album or in a blog post on your blog and share your link on the Peanut Blossom blog no later than Friday, May 21 (A specific project post will be available for you when the time comes.)

I cannot participate because:

"My life is too boring."
The point of the project is to change that perception. Your life is not boring, it is all how you see it.

“I work in an office! I can’t take a camera there!”
Don’t avoid participating just because you’re in an office from 9-5. Just be sure to take a photo before you enter the building (maybe sneak a shot of your desk), pick it back up at lunch time, and then start again on your way home.

“My house is a mess.”
Don’t feel the need to clean your house beforehand or do “special events” on your given day just to seem more put together. Think along the lines of time capsule of this day in your life. Participants from previous years' events look back at past projects and are amazed at the difference in their families and lifestyles in just one year passing.

“I'm not a photographer. My pictures won't be as good.”
You are creative whether you believe it or not. Sometimes it is just about trying something new. Because we are digitally recording a day-in-the-life-of there will be many common place photos. Simple photo tips and suggestions will be posted in the coming weeks to inspire you.

“My camera is dead!”

BUY BATTERIES. We don't want anyone to fail to participate because their batteries run out. Be sure to carry some back up batteries along with you for the day!

“Thirty photos? That’s too many. No way!”
Shoot, shoot, shoot. Remember you are using a digital camera! The idea is to shoot everything. Fill up your memory card and delete later, you’ll only post your favorites so it is ok to take risks. Multiple angles of a single subject are definitely acceptable! Remember this is only about 2 photos per waking hour of your day. Some hours will have many more, some none at all, as long as it averages out at the end of the day.