managing time for photo projects in real life | ep. 8

[@kayreezy]

Matt - A few years ago when I started watching your channel, you encouraged us to capture our everyday moments. It was from there that I started taking daily photos of my loved ones and random things I see when I'm out running errands or going on walks. I am now at 907 days straight of capturing my life in photos and I plan on making a book eventually and sharing that book with my family. I just wanted to share this story and say thank you for inspiring me to see life as it is: broken, but also beautiful. Cheers from Los Angeles.

[@mattdayphoto]

This is so amazing to hear! Thank you so so much for the support and watching all these years. I'm happy to hear the videos and the message have resonated. ❤️

[@sarahstellino1954]

Thanks for showing that it’s possible to juggle having kids and a passion project in photography.. chaos and all! I’m sure your kids will have so many fond memories of you working towards your dreams and it doesn’t get much better than that!

[@mattdayphoto]

From my own experience, my dad being much older than I am right now when I was Elliott's age, he had already retired and bought the business that we would end up working together. He made his own schedule, worked how he wanted and was able to shape his life and our lives around it however he needed to at the time. For me, as a photographer and what I'm doing with it, if I can pay my bills and keep my whole family safe and happy, that's everything! Truly! ❤️

[@sarahstellino1954]

@@mattdayphoto that’s true success in life! ❤️

[@philsmith2193]

I really appreciated this video Matt. As a hobby photographer and dad of 2 young kids and a full-time job I struggle to find the time to devote as much time I would like to photography especially as I enjoy shooting in daylight. Your message about planning so you're ready to use the windows of time you have is really useful.

[@ryanpavlovich8891]

Matt, as a father of five trying to create as well you’ve been such an inspiration and I can’t explain how your voice and openness on this platform for years has meant so much. Thank you for all you do. All the best - Ryan

[@tstana]

This must be the cutest video I've seen in a while, from start to the very well worded ending (go-go Forest)! It made me go back to start watchi g the series from the start (admitting I haven't watched a single episode up to this one). So so glad to hear Forest is OK, hope you guys will have plenty of wonderful family moments together! Thank you for your characteristic transparency, it is so refreshing to hear you speak, I too can relate to what you're saying 100%, even though I only have one Duracell bunny at home and a full-time job to tend to. Keep doing this great work, Matt! Keep inspiring!

[@SlavaVeres]

Matt, thanks for sharing this! “In small increments”, a bit here, a bit there - it’s the only way I can move my projects forward. With kids, family responsibilities and day job it’s a luxury to have a ‘dedicated time’ for photo projects. That’s why I never leave my house without a camera so I can photograph things while I’m doing some kind of errands. But it’s fun! And it’s nice to know that I am not the only one who does this :)

[@mattdayphoto]

I fully relate to this. The in between and spontaneous moments where I'm happy to have my camera with me. I think anyone with a family and the usual demand that brings can relate.

[@lucassteinbusch1]

I absolutely consider your KZbin channel one of the most valuable guidances as a beginning photographer. It’s so hard to just start. I really connected to your video on the imposter syndrome. Sometimes all we need is a bit of confidence and just start. You’re videos are a calm and warm guidance through this process, thanks a lot!

[@mattdayphoto]

I appreciate you saying that so much. Trust me, I'm constantly having to work against that feeling. Don't overthink it, remember it's not an equation you're just gonna solve one day. Patience, time, and consistently staying close to the work, whatever that looks like for you. Hope the videos continue to help in any way!

[@lucassteinbusch1]

@@mattdayphoto it absolutely does. Currently waiting for my plan from Amsterdam to Guatemala to have my first photography project abroad. Couldn’t be more excited and nervous at the same time 🙃🎉

[@AlexBuckMaurer]

I really appreciate you sharing your process. Being a dad myself and struggling to find time between my day job, being a dad and being a husband it’s nice to see that it’s possible to make something. You don’t have to be 21 and spend every second of your day hustling and grinding to make art. Thanks for sharing Matt - it’s always a pleasure to watch your videos!

[@mattdayphoto]

I appreciate you sharing your perspective, that's the whole goal in me doing this series. The rare times that I scroll through social media these days, I struggle relating to some of the "lifestyles" that are shared, or at least portrayed, in the realm of being a photographer. Hoping those with families and responsibilities can see that you can still pursue it however it fits you.

[@bernardkelly235]

Two to five per cent a day soon adds up. Sure looks like progress to me. Glad to hear the baby's okay.

[@eyewandersfoto]

Forest took the words right outta my mouth. Sharp little cuss, that kid.

[@mattdayphoto]

Wise beyond his years.

[@suzannelopez9896]

Great to see this new video and I love this series! So glad the little dude is out of the hospital and doing better too!!!

[@bradynshock]

I feel like a broken record but-these intros man. There’s some magic in em

[@afonsomota6359]

This is gold. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

[@hemendrachaudhary6097]

Would love to know how do you makes notes. I used to do the same, but at the end would end up a very, very long list that had basically everything. So yeah would be sweet to have a sneak peek in your process.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

I really appreciate hearing about your journey, particularly as a parent juggling it all. I live for my photo friends and community but none of the people I bond with over photography have kids so it's always me having to say goodbye early when I'm hanging out to attend to dinner or bedtime or what have you. I also have a demanding full-time job that keeps me busy in the day but that just speaks to the fact that if you have a passion, somehow you always make time to do the thing you love.

[@mattdayphoto]

The vast majority of my photo friends live in other states and the only ones that live nearby have their own lives and schedules and everything, so I've kinda always been a solo photo nerd. Haha. The luxury now is that I have everyone here that I get to nerd out with and connect with. ❤️ But it's the truth! You've gotta make time for it, no matter how brief that time may be.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

@@mattdayphoto I can relate. I'm in LA but much of my time here has been during the pandemic, aka alone and YT is how I have found those who I consider my people :)

[@mhession]

Can sooo relate to the time management scenario with a couple of kids in tow. Working around the demands of parenting is so hard. I know those days when all you get is an hour or so, and something as minor as finding a nice pairing of a couple of images can seem like a big win.

[@pierrepages3642]

I have a lot a fun to! Thank you Matt, Inspiring as always.

[@gerryphilpott9766]

Matt, appreciate the timing. I'm trying to sell my company and retire but I've started a personal photo project as I have no idea when that will happen and I need some mental health distractions now given the state of this country and the world. I digress. It's called Present Past and I've started going to meaningful places in my childhood and youth and capturing them on film and digital. Many look the same as I remember and many not even close, and where i can i'm digging out some old slides from my mom's box to pair with them. I need some discipline to do this and enough perseverance to keep at it as there are times I wonder if it's worth it and does anyone really care? This and other videos you've done are inspiring and have helped quite a bit, thanks! (And happy to hear Forest is doing better, always scary.)

[@olgadekell]

Great video, I can relate a lot 🙏. I also have 3 kids so my days are similar to yours, juggling lots of things at once but I am so grateful to be able to do what I love 📷 in the moments in between family time.

[@mattdayphoto]

If I don't have at least two or three things in motion at all times throughout the day, something is off. Haha. It's always a juggling act. Happy to hear the video was relatable!

[@radicaleyemag]

Pure dad inspo ✨ and Bad Friends brother 🤝

[@hannahcassidyphotos]

One of my favourite videos of yours!

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks so much, Hannah!

[@inigootalora6615]

Your honesty about your work is so inspiring… And the final bonus is pure love ❤️

[@mattdayphoto]

I appreciate you!

[@_jprater]

Love the B Roll in this episode! #FTA

[@riffinainteasy]

Loved it, I find myself falling into the habit of either not making time for my photo book or when I do, getting side tracked and not using that time to actually get something done. So watching this happen in real time is very motivating. I’m into this hard, dude. This is cool!

[@jimmylongo8660]

Matt - full transparency I haven’t watched the video yet. But hope your family is finally getting some calm time after the last couple weeks. Signed a girl dad who just finally got his x100v and your veg tan sleepwalk strap.

[@joestuffff]

Love hearing this. I often times get discouraged to create due to lack of time having a full time job and now having a second child. I get in my head and think, "There's not enough time to do the things I want to do for my photography". I enjoy my job but often think, there's got to be more to life and having a balance is often hard. I'm currently in the thinking process of how to turn my love for photography into something that can pay the bills and create more time for my family. Thank you for making this type of content, it speaks to the reality of being a father and having a desire to do more with your passions. Wishing you and your family all the best. Also, are there others in the comments that are trying to make the switch or create more time for your passion?

[@mattdayphoto]

I appreciate you taking the time and I'm happy you were able to relate. People will say this or that about "well you have an audience" or "that's easy to say when you have a following" I started sharing my work and putting myself out there online 10 years ago and never expected anything to come from it. Never imagined myself to ever ever ever try and put my name, my work, or my face out there in front of anyone. I started and I've just never stopped. Believe me when I say if I can do it and carve out my own path, anyone can.

[@williamhillard1358]

Old time photog here. For me it was never this “calm” I know being a parent it’s not all calm. I used to have to travel a lot and scramble many mornings. I have gotten back to shooting recently for a coffee table book. I am going through many of my classic camera collection and it’s more like what you are doing now. Keep it up and good luck

[@stevep564]

wow i love that wall you were putting up prints! big studio inspo!

[@mattdayphoto]

Great for looking at the work, sequencing things, saving notes, displaying the kids artwork, not much as practical as just a big magnetic wall. 🤝

[@yugenfocus]

Matt, your work is always inspiring, practical and bonus points for the bad friends podcast in the background 😂😂 You inspire me to shoot where I'm from, which is a place very similar to where you're from since I'm in rural Michigan and you're in rural Ohio. I appreciate how your videos are always on the things that matter. Despite the temptation to make KZbin "candy" videos and farm views, you always do the right thing and make real, candid and helpful content for photographers like me. Thank you for all that you do

[@yugenfocus]

Oh, and thank you for being a bad friend 😂

[@asaporange6263]

Wonderful video Matt!!!

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you! ❤️

[@PeterGallagher1]

Thanks, I enjoying this series.

[@mattdayphoto]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time!

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

I really love this intro music and i can't wait to see this body of work

[@kathreenmirate389]

What is the purpose of this series of making a photobook and what are we going to learn from this? I am just curious as it is sponsored.

[@lucy._.3547]

Can you maybe make a video how do you live of photography and how to get your first jobs ?

[@mattdayphoto]

Right now, I'm making my living through these KZbin videos & sponsorships. I'm also working on photos that will becomes prints, books, any form of self publishing and creating that I'd like to do. This is 18 years after getting my first camera though, since I started making any kind of income with my camera around 2008, I've worn a lot of different hats. Wedding photographer (as recently as just last year), family photographer, senior portrait photographer, live music and band promo photographer, event photographer, commercial photographer, the job changed and evolved many times. Sometimes it was part time while I worked multiple jobs at once, sometimes it was full time. Best advice I can give is just tell everyone you know that you're looking for work, word of mouth goes a long way when you start out, consistency in the work you deliver will keep it that way as long as you choose to pursue it. Everyone's answer will look different, everyone's path is different, but I hope this helped in some way. 🙏

[@curtisdinman]

Thank you for being a bad friend

[@mattdayphoto]

Thank you for being a bad friend. 🥹

[@KodakPhotoPrinter]

Hello Matt ! This is Kodak Photo Printer. The videos you make are very entertaining, and we are interested in working with you. If you are interested in a collaboration, could you please provide your email address? If you have any questions, let us know. Thank you! 🙂