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#themacboys2013 (a 365 project completed!)

I finished my 365 project (#themacboys2013) on Instagram. I thought I was really close to actually having 365 photos but when I went to make this collage I came up with 352 photos instead. So close. But I am just proud I actually finished it! Here are some things I learned…

1. I really wanted to get one photo a day but I was lazy and didn’t always hashtag the photos right when I posted them. This made it a little hard to keep track of when I went back and tried to figure out how many I had posted each week and which ones to hashtag. I also didn’t number them (123 of 365) which would have made it less confusing. So, hashtag your photos when you post them…and number them too if you are trying to get a photo a day.

2. I put together a collage for each month (I posted the collages through June and then got lazy again and never finished). If you want to organize your photos by month it would be helpful to hashtag each month separately. I should have done a second hashtag #themacboys2013jan …or something like that for each month.

3. I found that some days I had a few photos I wanted to include in my 365 project and some days it was really hard to get a photo…or I just didn’t feel like it that day. So, there were a few times I cheated a little. 🙂 I probably wouldn’t be so set on getting a photo a day next time around.

4. It was definitely a good idea to try to take my 365 photos in the morning (like Drew suggested) in case I forgot later in the day. This made the project less stressful for sure. It also helped me avoid having all the boys’ photos be of bath time and bedtime. 🙂

So, what now?

First, I need to work on printing my 2013 Instagram book. I have already printed some of these Instagram photos but I am so excited to have them all in a book. The boys are going to love it too. I’m thinking about going with Blurb but I’m not sure yet. Any suggestions??

And for this year…

I decided to go ahead and do another 365 project for 2014 but I am going to do it a little differently. I really like the idea of having an Instagram book of my kids for each year.

I’m not going to worry about doing a photo a day but will just hashtag all the photos from the year that I want to include #themacs2014

I am going to hashtag each month’s photos so that it is easy to pull out the photos by month if I want to.

If you are thinking about doing a 365 project…do it! I love looking back through these photos of my boys. They capture some of my favorite memories and our everyday moments from 2013.

I am @jessmcclenahan on Instagram if you want to follow along!

This project idea and many of the suggestions came from this post on Momtog Blog by Drew. She has lots of great ideas and also a tutorial on how to make the collage. Make sure you check it out…so helpful!

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  • Kristen - I love Artifact Uprising for Instagram books 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Jody - I use the collect app to keep track of picture a day. It also has a reminder you can set. I do mine at 7 pm.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Jody-I haven’t heard of that one! I will have to check it out.

    • Jess - Jody-I haven’t heard of that one! I will have to check it out.ReplyCancel

  • Jenny - Just made an Instagram book from Artifact Uprising and really love it. I liked how simple and clean the page design options are and how easy the interface is to use. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • creole wisdom - I’ve loved following along! Your photos are positively precious and I love the visual punch they pack all stacked together.

    I used to do a 365 project with my big camera, did it for nearly 4 years, but just couldn’t keep up anymore. Ha!

    I would def. recommend Blurb!ReplyCancel

  • katherine - I’m trying to do a 365 project this year too, but I already know I won’t have a photo from every day. Hopefully I’ll get close. Good luck!ReplyCancel

  • katherine - I love all your photos by the way. They are filled with love and happiness and sunshine and real life.ReplyCancel

  • Lindsay - i’m working on the same project right now inspired by drew’s 365 project 🙂 i’m on day 180 and i’ve missed some days, but i’m not letting that stop me. i started mine in august so i still have a long road ahead 😉 i love following your IG feed. i love seeing your boys interact, mine are 18 months apart so it’s fun to see. such a beautiful and blessed life!ReplyCancel

  • Laurie - I love blurb! It’s so cost effective!ReplyCancel

  • Caley - Thanks for such an awesome giveaway! I recently discovered Minted and their decor selection. I am in love! I would probably use the credit to get one of their pear prints or some of the modern minted party decor. But really i could change my mind a thousand times, there are just so many cute designs!ReplyCancel