We can achieve anything when we set our minds to it.

A year ago I decided to try something new. I had been following Chantelle Ellem of Fat Mum Slim (FMS) on her blog and various activities in Facebook and her website and was inspired to join the world famous FMS Photo A Day (PAD) challenge. So I took my first photo on 1 September and from that moment, day after day, I excitedly put my mind to work on a photo to represent each word prompt of the day. A little challenge which made me pause from the daily routine and activity and look up at the view around me.

Since then, I proceeded from one month to another, posting up the daily photos on Instagram and the Facebook PAD group. This opened up a beautiful world of new friends with a common purpose from all corners of the world.

At the same time I had signed up to a course run by Chantelle and her pal and talented photographer Rowe Timson: the Clever Cookie School of Blog. I made another amazing group of friends with a common interest – blogging about life (food, family, health and fitness, travel etc) – as well as a shared love of photography. On completion of the course Rowe suggested we might want to set up a 10/10 monthly photography circle, blogging on the 10th of each month, 10 photos of our choice from a snapshot of our lives, adventure or experience during that month. Visit the Diana Photography blog each month to join the circle and view the various monthly posts from each group member. Not being the most prolific blogger, and more focused on the photography side of things, this suited me very well as it ensured that I would put some effort into at least 1 post per month! oops :)

So back to PAD, I continued each day, come hail rain or shine, sick, at work, on holidays or whatever my circumstance may be - posting my photo of the day, browsing and commenting on other’s contributions, sharing compliments and encouragement to budding photography buffs.

I had come so far and seeing that others reached their milestones, I made a pact with myself to continue taking photos each day for 1 year. Now that this new world has been a part of my life for 1 year, I couldn’t possibly stop. It’s too much fun!  But today, I celebrate that I managed to stick with it for 365 days!  I highly encourage anyone who has a phone and loves to take a snap – go on, join in the fun! It’s addictive.

  Snap!  To find out more about Photo a Day and join in the fun, visit the Fat Mum Slim web site. I'd also love to see you on Instagram: follow me @dianaphotographyaustralia and I'll follow you back :)