If someone had told me a few months ago that I’d photograph 30 different people in 30 consecutive days, edit every gallery and deliver and post the photos within 24 hours, I probably would’ve thought they were crazy.
Then somehow… I became that crazy person. Project 30 wasn’t something I found online or copied from someone else. In fact, I created it because I had never seen anyone do it this way before. I wanted to push myself in a way that felt exciting, uncomfortable and completely different from anything I’d done before. The challenge was simple. Photograph one person every single day for 30 straight days. Edit the session immediately. Deliver the gallery within 24 hours. Share the work. Then wake up the next day and do it all over again. It sounded fun. It also turned out to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever committed to as a photographer.
Like most of our ideas, this one started with a conversation with God. I was praying for a more creative mind and then my prayer turned into thinking about my entire existence... Then there were nights at two in the morning with Pinterest open, saving inspiration, creating mood boards and asking myself, “How can we make tomorrow’s session different from today’s?” I didn’t want thirty sessions that looked the same. We wanted every person to have their own story, their own vibe and their own experience. Some ideas came together in minutes. Others took hours of brainstorming. Sometimes we’d think we had the perfect concept, only to change everything the next morning.
What People Didn’t See
On social media, everyone saw the finished photos. What they didn’t see were the late nights. The editing until I could barely keep my eyes open. The last minute cancellations. The weather forcing us to switch locations. The outfits that didn’t work. The moments we’d finish one gallery, look at the clock and realize we had another session less than 12 hours away. There were days I questioned why I had started this in the first place. Because I still had my other sessions with my clients my schedule was booked! There were days I honestly felt burned out. Not because I didn’t love photography, but because I had challenged myself to work at a pace that wasn’t sustainable forever. And honestly… that was part of the point. I wanted to find my limits.
The Little Moments I’ll Never Forget
Completely changing a location five minutes before the session started because the lighting wasn’t what we imagined. Celebrating each completed gallery like it was a small victory. Those moments reminded me that photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It’s about the memories made in between.
What I Learned
It taught me consistency and discipline. It taught me how to create even when I didn’t feel inspired. It taught me that growth happens when you’re willing to stay uncomfortable a little longer than you want to. Most importantly, it reminded me that perfection isn’t what people remember. People remember passion, effort. They remember how you made them feel.
So was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I recommend taking on a challenge that pushes you outside your comfort zone? Without a doubt. Would I do Project 30 exactly the same way again? Maybe… after a very long nap. (Stay Tuned)
Project 30 almost burned me out, but it also made me a stronger photographer, a better problem solver and more confident in what I’m capable of creating. To every single person who trusted me enough to be part of this challenge, thank you. You weren’t just another session. You became part of a project that changed me more than I ever expected.
This may have been the end of Project 30, but it’s only the beginning of what’s next!!!