At the end of 2024, my husband, Tim and I had taken a photo every day for the previous ten years. Every day we take at least one picture – if we take more than one, we decide on the most interesting – and upload it to my computer. Throughout the year, Tim lays each picture out into a book format via Blurb, and at the end of the year we get a single book printed. 365 pictures per year; ten books. Here are two pages from each of the ten books.
Ten years of friends and family, kids growing up and leaving home, holidays, chores, dinners, and work, parties, book events, Alan the cat, literary heroes, and my hair going from red to grey. What Tim and I have learnt that is no matter how beautiful the sunset or the field of flowers, it is people we want to look back at – those who are still around, and those who have gone.
These ten years also include moving house and the pandemic. They include an online book launch for my fourth novel, Unsettled Ground, since all bookshops and public spaces were closed. Ironically, this is one of my favourite pictures from all ten books. At the end of the launch we asked everyone to turn on their cameras, and we got an image: all those lovely faces from right across the world, celebrating with us.
Thanks to all our friends and family (and sometimes strangers) for being so tolerant to us saying, ‘Time for a photo of the day!’ Here’s to another ten years.
I love this idea! I started an attempt at copying it but failed within a week. 365 photos is hard work. Well done for keeping it up for 10 years.
It does take some commitment but when you’ve been doing it for a few months it’s becomes difficult to stop.
I rewatched Smoke last week based on a Paul Auster short story. In it, the tobacconist takes a picture outside his shop at the same time every day. Your project’s much more interesting!
I don’t think I’ve seen that. I’ll have to look it up.
wonderful!!!!!!!! Love this!!!!!
Thank you!
Claire, what an absolutely marvellous idea!! I wish I’d thought of it YEARS ago! And now you’ll have so many wonderful memories to keep you company in the years ahead. Such a lovely thing you’ve done! Just think of all the splendid memories you’ll leave behind for your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others to enjoy.
I also wish I’d thought of it years ago! Or at least more years ago than 10!
What a fantastic idea! Dang… I wish I had thought of doing something like this!