As a newspaper photographer, there were always New Year’s Day photo assignments, such as taking pictures of the first baby of the year.
Like many holidays marked with some sort of celebration, New Year’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate time, the beginning of a new calendar year. Most of us make resolutions we hope to keep. You know how it goes. After Jan. 1, gymnasiums are usually filled with eager folks ready to start fulfilling New Year’s health resolutions. The same gyms are half-filled by June.
But photographically, the new year might be a good time to follow a dream you have wanted to pursue.
Thanks to the help of several generous supporters, I plan to finally pursue a photographic dream I have had for many years. I call this dream A Visual Walk with Christ, and I plan to visually interpret Biblical scenes.
So, whether you travel to the Big Apple to watch the ball drop at Times Square, position yourself in one of the towns or cities that color the sky with fireworks, or begin a dream project, the calendar change is an opportunity to start the new year with fresh challenges, both personally and photographically.
Reader Challenge
Try photographing resolutions in action, such as documenting someone beginning a new workout routine. Challenge yourself to make a photograph of yourself once a month. Photograph someone you love or admire throughout the year, similar to how we made a pencil mark on a doorframe for children to mark their growth. Pick a favorite spot to document over the four seasons. When my third child, Tucker, was born, I photographed him every day of his first year of life. I still draw from those images every year.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.