A Year in Pictures
A little over a year ago, I got this idea (I’m sure after seeing something similar on the internet – I’m really not that creative). The idea was to take a daily portrait of Swee’Pea and TheMonk starting on their 4th birthday and ending on their 5th birthday. And so we did.
Over 365 days, Swee’Pea and TheMonk posed for 312 portraits – which averages out to six portraits a week. So, six out of seven days every week they took their portrait. The rules were simple. The kids could make whatever face they wanted and I would try and take only one photo no matter what it came out like (this didn’t always work but for the most part it was one take only). As you can see, Swee’Pea is not as much a morning person as TheMonk. The range of her photos from frowns to smiles to one flat-out tantrum is quintessentially Swee’Pea. TheMonk, on the other hand, liked to experiment with faces and loved seeing them on my digital display each morning. His photos too capture the true essence of TheMonk.
If I had to do it over again I would have chosen a flat wall rather than the back of our door. I thought it would create a good center point for the kids but instead it made it very obvious when they moved from their mark. I also would have put the camera on a tripod rather than me on my knee but this was the last thing we did each morning before leaving and we were often rushed so a quick snapshot was all we could do. The editing isn’t as sophisticated as I pictured in my head but I still really love watching the transformation.
The music was chosen for the sole reason that they are our most played songs right now. The kids love both of them and we have been known to boogie to these songs while getting ready for bed. It just seemed fitting to include them here.
So, without further ado, I give you Year Four of Swee’Pea and TheMonk:
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So cute. Must remember to do something similar if I ever squeeze one out.
Comment by corrin — July 18, 2010 @ 4:14 pm
Omigosh these videos are adorable! Such a perfect way to see their different personalities. Lotsa stuck out tongues on Swee’ Pea’s – just one from The Monk
They will hate these when they are teenagers and love them when they are 30. Great job mom & dad!
Comment by Christina — July 18, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
Funny to see them turn their backs in a pic or two.
Comment by KC — July 18, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
*Applause!*
Great job on the picture project. It turned out great – really cute! Are you sure Swee’Pea was only 4? She sure had that teenager attitude down pat…boy are you going to have your hands full in 10 years!
Comment by drlori71 — July 18, 2010 @ 6:23 pm
Those are just awesome Matt. Had me laughing and awww-ing the whole way through!
Comment by Miss — July 18, 2010 @ 7:54 pm
So cool! Congrats on making it through the year!
Comment by Pgoodness — July 18, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
AWESOME!!! I’m stealing this idea. BTW, where’s the “share it on facebook” button?
Comment by Celia — July 18, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
I loved this! If only my camera was working I would steal this idea and start just a couple weeks late with Zoe.
Comment by Equipoise — July 19, 2010 @ 5:50 am
Too funny! And good job following through. The will love seeing themselves when they get older. The are so cute; you are going to have a lot of trouble when they start to date!
Comment by Sonya — July 19, 2010 @ 6:46 am
Awesome! Wonderful! Fabulous! So cute! and wonderful again!
Comment by Jess — July 19, 2010 @ 7:39 am
…love this! i remember when you said you were going to start this project. wonderful idea! i think it’s great you took them against the door. you can really see how much they have grown in the year! again, great job!!…
Comment by Pam — July 19, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
Absolutely loved this!
Comment by Aunt Raina — July 20, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
Fantastic! Love the music too – Telephone is HUGE in our house this year!
Comment by Aina — July 25, 2010 @ 8:38 pm
Those are just adorable. I also like the door in the background, it’s nice to see how much they grow!!
Really cute idea. I hope you do this again.
Comment by Kellee — July 26, 2010 @ 8:13 am
That is just awesome. I think your self criticisms are unfounded. Your editing was fine, the music accompaniment really was great as well. But also, I understand what you are thinking about with the door, but I like this much better because it adds perspective that you would not get against a plain white wall. Are they taller? Slouching that particular day? etc. It shows some markers of positioning and size that you would have lost otherwise.
Now contemplating stealing this idea.
Comment by JayMonster — July 26, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
Love how it turned out! It’s amazing how you don’t clearly see the growth as it goes in order, but then the change is HUGE when you contrast the first and last images at the end.
Comment by Breanne — July 26, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
I remember when you started this, and am glad you managed to see it through for a full year! Thanks for sharing
Comment by Kila — July 27, 2010 @ 10:24 am
Love love love.
Comment by EmmieJ — July 27, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
I too remember when you started this. I started the week after and took a total of 7 pictures over the first 2 weeks. Needlesstosay, I am sooo impressed! Well done, great choice of music and so fitting for both of their personalities! I expect you will be getting many a giggling girl phone calls in about 9 years for that sweet Monk! Swee’ Pea seemed to warm up to the whole thing, about a minute in and I loved the one in the sunglasses best! Great job!
Comment by Allyson/HBMomof2 — July 31, 2010 @ 1:07 am