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sparkle society

05/27/20

Start Your Summer Photography Bucket List Today!

photography bucket list
Do you have a photography bucket list? As photographers, we spend most of our time documenting the lives of others. We wait, watch, feel, and take-in the experiences, emotions, and goings-on of everyone around us.  And then, we realize that we’re missing out on capturing our very own lives. We’re not taking the time necessary to document our legacy.

I want to challenge you to drill-down the following photography bucket list and make your own summer story known! Follow my 10 super-fun photography bucket list items and preserve the memories that matter most in your life!

1. Plan a creative photoshoot that’s just for you!

Don’t just go for a hike with your camera. Make this photography bucket list count. Plan your own shoot with your own expectations. Fuel your creative soul. Flex your creative muscles. Push boundaries. Try a photographic technique or style that you don’t usually do – and have fun with it!

2. Explore a farmers market or local event with your camera.

As photographers, we tend to settle into our niches. We become very process-oriented {in a still somewhat candid manner} and we miss the day-to-day details. Take your camera to a farmers market or street fair and capture beauty of a different kind. Look at all of the color and texture variation and all of the little details that matter. Study expressions; body language; and everyday emotion in an environment that you don’t experience every day.

3. Frame photos of your family & design a feature wall in your home.

Aren’t we all behind on this?  You’ve taken the time to capture gorgeous shots of YOUR people {or hired someone to do so}, now show them off, darn it! Carve out a little time for Pinterest and pick the perfect frames or gallery wall in your home. Not only will it ooh-and-ah your houseguests, but it will also remind you just how blessed you are every time you pass-by.

“I’m currently working on a gallery wall for my home!”  Simpson Photography owner, Elizabeth, told me, “I have all my thrift-store frames spray-painted to match each other!  I’m slowly but surely working on filling them with that matte style of photography I’m obsessed with at the moment!”

4. Document an entire day with your family.

Think about the unique things you do each day with your family that are ever-so routine. I love to give my son piggy-back rides, but let’s face it… I won’t be able to give that man-child a lift on my back forever. I do, however, want to remember this special bonding activity we share.

What about you?

Think about snapping off a few pics while you’re making dinner. Get on the floor and play a game. Go for a family walk or play with the dog in the back yard. Bring your camera along and preserve those memories!

It doesn’t even have to be fancy!  Some of my fave photos were taken on my iPhone and using my Apple Watch as a remote!  It can be that simple, babe!

Want to use your big girl camera?  I get it.  Buy a remote; set-up on a tripod; print the results and have fun! See how simple it is to whittle down your photography bucket list in the comfort of your own home or neighborhood?

pssssst…. you should pin this so you don’t have to hunt for it again!  😉

bucket list for photographers

5. Put those sparklers to work!

In the summer, we put a lot of emphasis on photographing fireworks, but simple sparklers are just as beautiful and even more fun! Use my tutorial on taking pro pics of sparklers and practicing light painting. Draw in the sky. Spell your last name. Think outside the box. Be sure to share those photos on your personal and professional page when you’re finished.

6. Find a reason to have a cake-smash session.

Why should our clients have all the fun?!  Kelly, from Lifetime of Clicks Photography, has a great idea!  She says,

“we got our dog a year and half ago and I swore when she turned one I was going to do a Doggy Cake Smash session for her and life just got in the way.  She’s a dog, right!  I want to take her before her birthday and get some pictures of her outside.  Maybe even do an outdoor cake smash for her since she’s a little bigger now!” 

An outside-the-box, unexpected cake smash sesh is definitely one to check-off your photography bucket list.

7. Attend a family event without your camera {gasp!}

I know this is so hard, but leaving your camera behind {sometimes} is like leaving your phone behind. You have to make time to live life. Take off your photog hat for an evening and ENJOY yourself {like a normal person}. Take your glaring eyeballs off what the event photog is doing and just be you. Be the wife, mom, daughter, sister, or friend your family deserves!

8. Make an album of your own family photos.

I haven’t made a family album in EIGHT YEARS!! I feel so guilty, but let’s make a pact. This summer, we’re going to cross albums off our photography bucket list! After-all, we promote the importance of prints to our clients – let’s take our own advice and get those albums in order.

9. Try lay-flat photos.

I know you’ve seen those gorgeous lay-flat pics confettied {yeah, that’s a word} across social media. Why don’t you try creating some of your own? Try to find objects that represent your brand and then use the result on your own social media accounts. This photography bucket list item is good for your creative soul AND your business checklist.

10. Take professional photos of your family {or hire someone to do it}.

Business owners are always behind when it comes to their personal projects and needs. Make an effort, this summer, to get some updated professional pics of your family. You can do it via tripod, or go out on a limb and hire your dream ‘tog to take them for you! Don’t wait for XYZ to happen. We aren’t promised tomorrow, my friends, do it now. Cross those professional pics off your photography bucket list and you won’t be sorry.

Have your own ideas?  Post them in the comments and let’s collaborate!  Oh, and before you go creating all that photo awesomeness, make sure you know how to share it on social media!  Grab this freebie and I’ll show you how to create 30 social media posts in one afternoon!  Yup – you can totally do this and I’ll help ya!

cyrissa sparkle society

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Blog// Business// Goal Setting// Photography Tips & Tricks// Self-Care

« 3 Ways to Make More Money With Your Photography Business This Year
How to Take Fun Fireworks and Sparkler Pictures! »

Comments

  1. Elizabeth @ Simpson Photography says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Gaaaah! I need to do all of the things! LOL (Especially finish up that gallery wall!) You just lit a fire under this girl’s booty…can’t wait to get out there and shoot!

    love & stuff,
    Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      it’s such a great idea!!!! thanks for sharing with us!!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sarah Zeig says

    July 12, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    I LOVE all these! At first, I was like…”Ain’t nobody got time for a photography bucket list! I am barely keeping my head above water as it is!” BUT….as I sat and read your blog (in me “free time” 😉 ) I realized most of these won’t take much time and they are super fun! I can’t wait to get started! Thanks again for bringing the funfetti!!

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 12, 2017 at 2:28 pm

      BA HA HA HA HA HA!!! totally get it, sarah!!!!!

      Reply
  3. Andrea says

    July 12, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Great post Cyrissa! Thank you for the great ideas and kick in the pants! ? I’ll definitely be using these ideas this summer. ?

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      thanks andrea! sometimes, we just need someone to tell us what to do! LOL!

      Reply
  4. Karalee says

    July 12, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Love all of this, so many great ideas! I definitely will be doing some of these!

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      yeah, girl! can’t wait to see what you create! your have such a fun account!

      Reply
  5. Gina Wiseman says

    July 12, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    These are great ideas!!! I can’t wait to start!

    Reply
  6. Brandi Corriveau says

    July 12, 2017 at 11:49 pm

    Cyrissa, I love, love, love these ideas! They are simple, fun, and meaningful. Thank you for the push.

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      of course!!!! i love seeing your personal photos in my newsfeed…. i feel like they’ve helped me understand your story better! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ashley Dickerson says

    July 13, 2017 at 1:25 am

    Love these ideas and lists ? I’ve been working on getting my family photos organized and scanned for a while. It’s a lot of work, but I’ll be glad I did when it’s all done.

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      YES!!! oh my gosh…. you’re going to feel like a rockstar when they’re finished!!!!!

      Reply
  8. Chris @10gables says

    July 13, 2017 at 6:03 am

    Wonderful post! I am not a pro photographer, but my husband and I both love our cameras. We have started taking what we call ‘series’ photos. He is focusing on crosses and I am focusing on garden details. It gives us a little extra fun on some Sunday afternoons 🙂

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:16 pm

      oh my gosh – this is THE cutest thing ever!!! hope you two are having a blast! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Sarah Maigur says

    July 13, 2017 at 8:30 am

    Yikes these are super awesome ideas!! Like I’m totally going to start doing some of these!! Have to take time for myself. Such a great reminder.

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:15 pm

      yay, sarah!!! time for self-care and personal photos is SO IMPORTANT!

      Reply
  10. Dorothy says

    July 14, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    This is amazing! I don’t know how many times I pick up my camera for sessions, but I don’t seem to pick it up much “just because”. What a great way to really capture my life instead of just my clients lives!

    Reply
    • Cyrissa Carlson says

      July 17, 2017 at 10:15 pm

      OH MY GOSH – same!!!! my kids and i have a blast when we pull out the remote, but it’s a matter of remembering to do it!

      Reply

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Cyrissa Carlson is a business coach, located in the heart of Ohio! She has built three six-figure companies, exclusively with social media, and is passionate about helping other female entrepreneurs do the same. She helps her clients create smart and strategic marketing strategies; allowing them to spend less time hustling, and more time with their families! Cyrissa has empowered thousands of women feel heard and get seen on social media.... now it’s your turn!

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