With the amazing cameras we now carry around in our pockets, everyone is a photographer.
But amateurs and seasoned pros alike have experienced the feeling of creative standstill. So we put together a few ideas for getting fun, inspiring and (hopefully) frameworthy shots.
After you get those creative juices flowing, we've made it easy to frame your photos online and have them up on your walls in no time.
1. Recreate The Past
Image source: Pinterest
Everyone loves looking through old photos, even when they are cheesy and embarrassing. There's nothing quite like seeing yourself in questionable fashion choices, making inexplicable faces and surrounded by younger versions of siblings and friends.
You can reenact your favorite family photo, or just go it alone. It's a fun way to briefly relive those awkward early years and get a kick out of replicating the clothing, props and positions from the original photograph.
You're bound to end up with memorable shots that are prime candidates for a collage picture frame, or the perfect personalized gift.
2. A-Z
Image source: Unsplash [Artists, clockwise: Joseph Barrient, Nathan Hulsey, Kari Shea]
Ever thought about using the alphabet as inspiration for a photo shoot?
Pick a letter to start with and find photo subjects in the comfort of your own home, or get ambitious and turn it into a hunt outside in the world.
When you are ready, we'll make sure your photos are printed at the highest quality, and you'll end up with totally framable images that might have otherwise faded into the background of everyday life.
3. The 52 Project
Image source: Unsplash (Artists, clockwise: Andre Benz, Matthieu Joannan, Louis Lo)
One picture per week for an entire year.
It may not sound like much (and you can always do more), but sticking to the assignment might help you be a bit more intentional with your subject matter.
Plus, if you think about it, chances are you've already done this by accident. Scroll through your camera roll on your phone, and you're likely to find that you've been documenting more moments than you thought.
You'll end up with a gorgeous snapshot of a year in your life filled with the people and places you love, and what could be the beginnings of an epic gallery wall of frames.
4. 20 Strangers
Image source: Unsplash [Artists L-R: Abigail Keenan, Ayo Ogunseinde]
In the age of the smartphone (and the occasional pandemic), few people can say they interact with strangers on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
With this project, best exemplified by Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York, you're forced to step outside your comfort zone and connect with people you'd otherwise never know.
Choose your locations well for this project, since they will determine how interesting your backdrop looks.
5. Pick A Theme
Image source: Unsplash (Artists, clockwise: Alice Donovan-Rouse, Autumn Studio, Jean-Philippe Delberg)
This one is pretty self explanatory: Pick a theme, and stick to it when shooting your photos.
It can literally be anything; street art, interesting lighting, animals. Once you're done, you can pick your favorites and create a totally personalized photo series for yourself, or turn it into a gift.
If you end up with a bunch you love enough to print and frame, you can try your hand at creating a gallery wall that can be updated over time.
This is a great exercise for anyone just getting into photography. Not only will it help with branching out into new subject matters, but it's also a way to start developing a unique style and figuring out your favorite things to photograph.
The best thing about these projects is that you don't need to be an experienced photographer or have an expensive, high-tech camera to take them on. All you really need is a passion for capturing beautiful images (and something that takes pictures, of course).
Hey @levelframes, you did A+ work printing, framing and shipping this glorious photo. Thrilled to have it. pic.twitter.com/A3O0VICROt
— Andrew Hevia (@andrew_hevia) February 18, 2021
If this post inspires you and you find yourself with a collection of photos you love, be sure to check out Level Press where you can create a free online portfolio of your work, to showcase and even sell!
