January 2017 Photo A Day Instagram Challenge

For the first time EVER – join us for the January 2017 Photo A Day Challenge!

Why were we in such a hurry to leave 2016 behind? Today I reflect on my greatest achievements, and the time given for me to gain another year of more wisdom. Despite the shame, pain and hurt I’ve dealt with in the past, 2016 was my best year yet. If you think about it, there hasn’t been one year in our lives where we didn’t have to face new challenges, new heartbreaks, new accomplishments, new successes, new experiences, new lessons, new seasons and new sunsets. It’s all a part of living a life of purpose. With each decision we make and each path we take, today is another new beginning. Make the most of each and every opportunity you can in 2017 – love with all your heart, set aside your pride, forgive others and yourself, and most importantly, choose joy.

Today is a fresh start, our do-over! And the best is yet to come for those wanting to receive it.

To kick off 2017 with a community bang, I decided to create our first ever Photo A Day Challenge. Scroll below to check out the January 2017 Photo A Day list, and all the details to join in – it’s free, it’s easy (one photo a day, people!), and it’ll create all kinds of buzz and interaction on your Instagram (which translates to more exposure, more likes, and more followers – if that’s what you’re looking to achieve out of this challenge).

If you’re new, you’re not the only one – I’ve played with other challenges but this is my first created one and I’m so glad you’re here to grow with me. We’ve created twelve months worth of photo a day challenges so we’ll be doing this every month in 2017.

Join our Facebook group to share your photos, make new friends, inspire each other and learn a thing or two about photography.

January 2017 Photo A Day Challenge

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THREE EASY STEPS:

First: It’s really, really simple! Just look at the list each day and take a photo using the prompt for creative ideas and inspiration. For example, 1. is for Day One which starts on January 1 and the photo prompt word is ‘Sunset’. All you have to do is take a photo of the sunset in your area.

Second: Share your photo on Instagram or any social media outlet you want to. There’s no rule to this. You can share your challenge photo on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+. Anywhere really. Join our TIM Photo A Day Facebook group to share in there too so we can all support and encourage one another. Simply use our designated hashtag #VowToStandOut.

Third: TheItDad and I (and hopefully others, as our little group grows) will share our favorite photos from each day’s prompt on our Instagram accounts. We’ll tag you if you are featured and you can check them out by following @TheItMom and @TheItDad on Instagram.

Here’s a post breakdown of how the overall Photo A Day Challenge works. If you want the list emailed to you each month, subscribe in the box below:

HOW TO POST IT ON INSTAGRAM

Simply upload the photo to Instagram, add a caption {you could mention the day and the prompt in the caption}, add the hashtag #VowToStandOut and then hit “Share”.

Check out the #VowToStandOut hashtag to see all the challenge photos others are posting. Be sure to engage, like and comment on your favorite ones and be a part of the community.

We’ll share our favorites on @TheItMom and @TheItDad on Instagram.

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER TO EASILY POST EACH DAY

For all devices just save the image into your folder or on your Camera Roll in your smartphone.

Need more ideas with the photo prompts, and what to take photos of? Here you go:

1. Sunset
Happy New Year! Take a photo of the sun setting where you are.

2. A View From Here
Take a fun bird’s eye view of where you are, make it fun and look styled. Are you traveling? Showcase a photo of your view from the window in the plane or a new location you’re visiting.

3. Sparkly
As you go about your day, search for a sparkly or glittery object. Take a photo of it and share it.

4. Board Game
Find any kind of non-electronic game, set it up and share it in a photo.

5. Pretty In Pink
Anything pretty in a shade of pink? Share it in a photo.

6. Lipstick Color
Share a photo of you wearing lipstick, the lipstick itself, you applying lipstick! We want to see how creative you can get with lipstick!

7. On My Plate
What are you eating for breakfast or lunch or dinner? Show us your deliciously styled dish!

8. Glitz & Glamour
Take a photo of you, your love, your kids, your friends or something fancy or of luxury. Be creative!

9. Cute Clutch
Take a photo of your clutch (or wallet for the fellas).

10. Classic White Shirt
It can be you or someone wearing a white t-shirt or dress shirt or any style white shirt.

11. Looking Up
Look up and take a photo of what you see – get creative and find something colorful and bright!

12. Throwback
Share an oldie but a goodie.

13. Handwriting
Share your calligraphy, lettering, you physically writing, or something handwritten.

14. Reflection
Find a mirror and share reflections of what you see or yourself.

15. Guilty Pleasure
What is your guilty pleasure? Mine are french pastries or chocolates, but we all have one!

16. New Song
Show lyrics to your favorite song or you singing or a form of expressive dancing to a new song.

17. Keys
Show me the keys to your world, whatever that may look like!

18. On My Counter
Show us what you have on your island, counter, desk, vanity, or table.

19. Black & White
You can edit any photo to black and white or find black and white pictures to share.

20. Workout
Take a photo of your gym, you working out, workouts, your workout outfit, anything fitness related.

21. Dressed Up
Show us a photo of you or your children or your family all dolled up.

22. Smiling Child(ren)
Easy enough. If you don’t have any, be sure to get permission to post someone else’s child(ren). 🙂

23. High Heels
Let me see you strutting in your pumps or just post your fave pair.

24. Comfy & Stylish
What do you love to lounge in? I love lounging in my onesie! Hehe.

25. Mirror, Mirror
Take a selfie of you in front of a mirror or a mirror photo.

26. Patterns
Find the coolest, boldest or most unique pattern you can and post it.

27. Denim
Jeans, dress, shorts, top, whatever denim you have, share it.

28. Favorite Jewelry
What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Post a photo of you showcasing or wearing it.

29. Something Borrowed
Rent The Runway, something vintage you bought at a thrift store, something your friend let you borrow — let’s see it!

30. Red, Red Wine
It can be actual red wine, red wine colored lipstick, red wine colored outfit or shoes — anything red wine colored. Show us your creativity.

31. Stripes
Take a photo of something beautifully striped or with stripes!

If you’re joining us, please share your Instagram name in the comments, we’d love to check out your challenge photos!