At the beginning of 2013 I was coming off from a year long self portrait challenge. One photo a day, taken with my Canon DSRL. I decided I would processed each of these images in black and white and pushed myself to stay on track with the goal every.single.day.  I wasn’t sure I could do another year of the same thing. It was a big accomplishment, but I needed something a little less time consuming, so I didn’t set any goals. That is until mid afternoon on January 1st, 2014. I felt really lost, like I had forgotten to do something really important. Had I combed my hair? Did I brush my teeth? Did I take a shower and eat breakfast? Then I realized, I hadn’t taken a photo yet. I picked up my iphone, opened the Hipstamtic App and shook the phone. If you aren’t familiar with the app, here is why I did that last part. When you shake the phone, it randomizes the film/lens/flash combo for the camera. The app doesn’t allow for the camera to flip, so I aimed as best I could and took a photo of myself, at arms length, blindly.

The next day I did it again, and then the next, and then the next. The hashtag, #shakeitout2014  was added and BOOM! I had my 2014 project for the year. I had others ask me what I was doing and would I mind if they join me? We were shaking it out all over instagram and it was awesome! It was pure magic to see the faces and film/lens combos that were popping up in my feed. I loved the randomization and the chance of each photo. Over time, I got better and better at knowing where to hold the phone to get my full face (if that’s what I was after), I found angles I loved. I found backgrounds I adored and that really worked for me. My original plan was to shoot in the same spot for the year, strangely enough, in my bathroom at the rental house. But then we moved, not once, but twice. So I had to adjust that plan and hunt down the light in the new places and spaces (which I actually loved doing!)

So here are a few favorites! ready, steady, GO!

The double exposures were pure magic. 

I used motion and blur

I used props- hats are a favorite around here, but I like a good mask too.

I had others join me in the fun. Family and amazing friends. 

Thank you to all of you who have followed along, cheered me on, been in the frame with me or who have commented or shared my project. I think the success lies in the fun I had all year long shaking it up and keeping it simple.

now? what to do for 2015?!!