I just want to say a thank you to everyone who has read my blog. Be it from Day 001 to maybe just a few weeks ago - Thank you! That being said, I definitely want to make this blog a good one, so bear with the length
----------
I did not expect that a year ago I'd be doing something so bold in terms of being a photographer. The idea of taking photos every single day never crossed my mind until a friend, Sam Riofta, brought up the idea to me. I also never expected my photos to become what they have. I was always told I was a good photographer and to be honest with you, I was more than content with that. After this year though I've come to see that my composition for photos, my eye for what is not always seen, and my creative side have definitely jumped leaps and bounds since I started. Knowing that has led to be one of the best feelings I've ever had in being a photographer.
Doing Project 365 wasn't always easy. In fact, it was
never easy. I give a lot of props to the people who have done this. I give props to my very own friends (
Pam Dupa and
Steven Welch) who are doing a Project 365 of their own. It's tough, and the way I did mine made it even tougher. You see, I let you guys see into my life through a very, and I mean
very, small window. It's crazy to think that you got to experience my joys. You got to experience my sorrow. You got to experience the days when I absolutely felt nothing. You got to experience the life of a growing young adult. Essentially, you saw me grow as a photographer, as a Christian, and as a student. I wouldn't have changed my Project 365 at all because I'm glad you saw what little you did see.
Once again, thank you for being part of an awesome journey this last year. Yeah, journey. That's what it became. It went from a small photography project to a photography journey. I definitely plan on doing another one (keep your eyes out for that one!), but not any time soon. I'll most likely still be taking photos and have my camera around my neck, but just know that it probably won't be every day. I mean as a college student on summer break, I need some kind of rest, right? ;)
Getting away from the sentimental side of things, have you been wanting a physical copy of any of the photos? Well, it's your lucky day! Just go to this
link and look through which ones you want. I'll most likely be selling them in the sizes of
4 by 6,
8 by 12,
20 by 30, and
any size you request. Send me an email letting me know that you're interested (rickandrewb@gmail.com) and I'll let you know how much each cost.
Disclaimer: I will say no to some of the purchases just because I might not feel comfortable selling that photo.
----------
With that, here is the final photo! I probably put minimal thought into the photo (secret out of the bag), but it definitely captured what I wanted it to. You know? One photo that was able to catch a years worth of memories. I hope you enjoy the photo and its simplicity as much as I do.
----------
One last thing! Don't think you're getting away without knowing what my favorite photos from each "month" were! I say month in quotes because I did not start my Project 365 on the beginning of any month, rather I started it right at the end of one of the months (May 29, 2010). With that, I divided the photos up by however many months I was into the project. Let's get to those favorite photos!!
 |
| Day 001. [flat tire] |
Obviously the reason why this shot is my favorite is the same reason that you probably think it is my favorite shot. It is after all the very
first photo of my Project 365. Also, it was taken in a small cafe near my campus that no longer exists.
 |
| Day 033. [photoshoot] |
If you knew me my senior year, you know that was the first year I ever started to do any portrait work of any kind. So don't be fooled by my portrait work! I'm still learning a lot about portrait work, as you read. The reason this is my favorite is because from my very first portrait shot to this one is about a years worth of photography growth. Best part is that the first portrait I ever took and this one are of the same guy! Thanks Anthony!
 |
| Day 060. [praise] |
Since joining Living Word not just as a member, but a leader, my Summer's have been filled with Church Camp. I absolutely love camp, which is why I chose this shot. One, it was done in very little light, which was a first for me. Also, just thinking about the memories of Kid's Camp just remind me of the life that I have been called to live.
 |
| Day 105. [cross country] |
To be honest with you, I have never been to a Cross Country Meet. Not once did I ever go in Middle School. Not once did I ever go in High School. After watching our Men's Cross Country team dominate their home invitational I can say that I have been to one now. I guess that's the reason why this shot is one of my favorites. Also, my buddy Scott is the main subject in the photo. Yeah.
 |
| Day 136. [kyle] |
I started to hang out with one of the RAs in Villa, Kyle Cochran, a lot during my Fall Semester of my Sophomore year. If you knew what I was dealing with that semester you'd know that I needed more than just someone to be there, I needed a friend. That's what Kyle was. This photo was taken after one of our many adventures had down town. Thank you for every thing, Kyle. You're awesome :)
 |
| Day 175. [night in] |
One thing that changed from my Freshman year to Sophomore year was that I didn't go out most weekends. In fact, I stayed in most nights. It was awesome because staying on campus for the weekend nights gave me the opportunity to really grow in my relationships with people that I had this year. This was one of many nights stayed in. So happen to be with Kyle, haha. I told you, I hung out with him
a lot.
 |
| Day 182. [united generation] |
During Thanksgiving Break I went home with Ben Walker (a fellow Villan, fellow friend, and fellow brother). He never mentioned to me what church he went to, but he did mention that we would be going to his church for Youth Group. When I found out that we were going to Puyallup Foursquare, my heart started racing knowing that during my senior year of high school at Sold Out was when God told me to choose the University of Portland. God said, "It'll make sense my son." It has made sense. I'm still learning new things as to why God told me to choose the University of Portland. Felt good to be back at the place knowing that I was on break from that school! ;)
 |
| Day 240. [o-chem] |
Second semester brought along that oh-so dreaded class known as Organic Chemistry. To be honest with you, Organic Chemistry will
always be the death of me, but I have some different stories of Organic Chemistry compared to the ones you might have heard from other people. My story includes me actually putting the time in effort to want to do well. Also, I liked Organic Chemistry. Depending on how CHM326 goes, I might take Advanced Organic Chemistry. Thanks a lot Diane!
 |
| Day 246. [hipster] |
I don't really remember what prompted this impromtu photo shoot, but it was one well worth it. It involved getting Kyle to look as hipster as possible. If you know Kyle, he can't grow facial hair, so that mustache of his is definitely drawn on with a dry erase marker.
 |
| Day 299. [spring] |
At the University of Portland the Fall Season is absolutely gorgeous in that we get lucky enough to have Summer spill over for a few extra months. Winter is a nasty season here at the University of Portland. Not only does it seem like the plants on campus lack life, but so do the students, haha. When Spring rolls around though, the campus seems to come back to life. Not just that though, the cherry blossoms, which make our campus look
AMAZING, bloom from the trees that line the academic quad. Oh man,
SO BEAUTIFUL!!
 |
| Day 329. [night adventure] |
You know how I said that staying in on the weekends usually meant that I was able to grow in my relationships with people. Well, this last Easter Weekend I was able to do just that. I went to the park with my friends Ian, Vivien, Evan, Mara, and Y. Let me tell you, as sophomores getting ready to finish up our second year and having a crisis realizing that we're half way done, that night was one of the best nights ever. It is definitely one of those nights that will be a defining factor to my sophomore year of college. Thanks so much for that night guys! :)
 |
| Day 353. [TOMS] |
I believe in good causes - no matter the price. Literally. I've probably spent over a total of $100 on just three pairs of shoes (more like six!), but I'm more than alright with that because I know somewhere out there in a third world country there are three kids who have a pair of shoes. Not only are these shoes for a good cause, but they really are comfortable. I don't recommend them for rainy weather, but other than that I definitely would wear them all the time. That's after a good washing, haha. You guys with TOMS know what I'm talking about ;)
I DID IT. A WHOLE YEAR OF PHOTOS. I DID IT! :)
I challenged myself for a year taking photos of my life. You don't have to document your life necessarily, but I definitely am putting the challenge of Project 365 on YOU. Get out there and do it! I did it! So can you! Can't take a picture? Do some videos! Vlog? Blog?
Do your devotions for a whole year!
Now for the final words, which will come from one of my favorite photographers - Patrick Demarchelier.
"Take pictures all the time. Don't worry if you take a bad photograph; you learn more by taking a bad picture than a good one. If you don't like it, study it and figure out why you don't like it. You'll learn from your mistake." - Patrick Demarchelier
