{If you missed the post about taking better Every Day photos, go check that out so you understand why I’m posting these interviews}
For those of you landing here for the first time, I’ll be posting interviews from some amazing people talking about why every day photos are important to them as well as sharing some of the photos of their “every day”. All of these people live intentional and deliberate lives and they make an effort to document their days and tell the story of their family through photos. They’re all the real deal and I’m excited and truly humbled they agreed to do this (they’re busy. Like, really busy).
To read the 3 previous interviews by Courtney Slazinik, Chari Pack, and Natalie Norton, just click on their name.
And now, my new friend.
Becky Higgins.
I first learned about Becky when I heard of Project Life and started using it to document our family story because it was the perfect solution for me. And then she came out with the Project Life app and it was definitely a game changer. Because I could document my photos with my phone. In the palm of my hand. Away from little fingers who like to destroy things. (I still use the physical product and the app, but it’s nice to have options).
I met Becky in person last November when she was in Utah for the Pinners Conference and put a call out on Instagram for some helpers. I called my husband home early from work (seriously) and went to meet (and help of course) this woman who built a company from scratch. She was gracious and kind and I could tell right away she was the kind of person who gets things done. As was her entire team. Solid group of people working for that company. And they’re led by Becky who is truly good to the core.
I would like to preface this and point out that all of the photos Becky is sharing today were taken fairly recently with her iPhone 6 plus. You don’t need a big fancy camera to take every day photos. I also have a 6 plus and the camera in that phone is far better than any point-and-shoot I’ve ever owned and can take some pretty decent photos. ANY photo is better than NO photo so use what you have.
Here’s what Becky had to say about the importance of every day photos in her life.
1. Give me a quick synopsis of your story.
I’ve been scrapbooking for 20 years and spent a good chunk of that time being creative with my approach to layout design. I published 9 books on the art of scrapbooking and loved inspiring others along the way. As my life became fuller and busier, I became less interested in being artistic with my pages and more interested in keeping my process as simple as possible, so that I would actually get more scrapbooking done. What I really needed in order to simplify my scrapbooking efforts didn’t really exist so I createdProject Life® as a solution to my own problem. I felt that if it was helpful to me, it would be helpful to others. Five+ years into this, Project Life can be found in thousands of stores across the world, and it is also available in digital formal. The Project Life App is revolutionizing the way people scrapbook now, too. I pretty much love my job.
2. Why are every day photos important to you?
Birthday parties, holidays and travels are so fun to document which is why people tend to take more pictures of those events. To me, the everyday moments…the seemingly mundane stuff of life…is really more of a representation of who we are and what we are about. Stories really have a way of unfolding when we capture glimpses of personality, messes, and ordinary moments.
3. What is one of your favorite every day photos and why?
This picture that my dad snapped of me and my little brother doing the dishes is magical to me–not only because it represents children working together (what’s not to love about that?)–but because it’s us doing something. There are plenty of posed pictures of smiling faces looking right at the camera. I love those too. But I’m really a sucker for the pictures that show action so you get a stronger sense of real, everyday life.
4. What type of photos do you wish you had more of from your childhood?
I treasure pictures that demonstrate relationships. My dad got some great pictures of family interacting with one another (me with my grandma, two of my brothers together, my mom spoon-feeding my brother)…and it makes me crave more pictures like that.
5. What is one tip or piece of advice you would give to help people take “better” every day photos?
There’s something pretty neat that happens with a unique angle. Put your camera on the floor, or hold your camera straight above what’s happening and experiment a little with that so you can see those results, and see how you like it. Also–natural light. Whenever possible. Indirect light coming in from a window or an open door can be the prettiest, most flattering light.
THANK YOU Becky. Becky wears a million hats so I sincerely appreciate her taking time out to do this for me. She is certainly self-less and dedicated to helping people preserve their memories.
You can find Becky on Instagram @beckyhigginsllc
Her website and blog here (really great stuff on there)!
And Facebook.
And you can find the Project Life App in the iTunes store (and they’re working on the Android version–it’s coming).
To learn how to take better every day photos of YOUR family story, check out the EVERY DAY PHOTOS GUIDE.
