It’s that time again, you guys! Back in August 2010 I decided to give myself a break from writing blog posts and instead shared a photo or two each day as a way to be present in my days without the pressure of finding words. I blogged about it (of course), invited everyone to join me and lo, The August Break was born. This is the fourth year I’ve hosted it and it’s been SO MUCH FUN to see it take off as a month-long community project.
Would you like to join me this August? Here’s how it works:
Each day, for the whole of August, you take a photo and share it on your blog. You can add words if you want — or not. You can use any camera. You could share a series of photos, or miss a day out, or just post on weekends. There are no real rules, basically. This is all about being present and enjoying taking photos just for the hell of it. And perhaps reinvigorating your love for blogging, or taking a break from writing. If you don’t have a blog you can add photos to the August Break Flickr pool. We’ll also have an Instagram hashtag — #augustbreak2013 — so we can gather as a group there, too.
This year I thought I’d mix it up a bit and create a list of daily photo prompts, inspired by the Photo-a-Day project that Chantelle has been running the last two years. So if you don’t know what to photograph you can refer to the list and shoot that:
The fabulous Katrina Tan of Pugly Pixel has created yet another gorgeous August Break badge for us, so if you’d like to add it to your blog’s sidebar you can. She’s also created some wee footer badges you can use on your posts — the badge goodness is linked to over on the main August Break page.
And, as always, I’ve created a blog roll so feel free to add your blog so we can all visit each other. That’s over HERE, too.
I’m really looking forward to giving my over-thinky brain a rest this August and letting my images speak for me. I’ve got a few big posts up my sleeve too, but I’m not going to put any pressure on myself to get them published. Let’s just enjoy August and give our creative mojo a reboot!
Want to join me? xx
the list is so great! I’m definitely joining in this year.
This may just be the thing I need to get me back into the routine of posting. I’m definitely playing along! xx
Hi and happy summer, Susannah! I look forward to this as well, thanks so much, love the prompts! This will be a perfect blend with your upcoming Photo Meditations class. Thank you!
Hooray for August Break! I’ve been needing a creative muse lately, this will help me get back on track. Thank you! I hope you’re having a lovely summer, Susannah:)
happy to be here again! will be abroad son probably will show my pictures mainly in instagram.
Thanks a lot Susannah! lots of inspiration and love coming from you always
Hi! This is my third year participating in August Break, couldn’t be more excited! Really stoked to have a prompt list this year, which will definitely make it a whole lot more fun – just a tiny question though… “taste” appears twice in the list; is that intentional? Of course, it’s definitely up to our own discretion but I just wanted to know! :)
Let’s roll!!! I am so happy having heard about this, Susannah!
Guess I am going to combine parts of The August Break with my travel journal in some way.
What a wonderful idea!
xxx Nicole
I’m joining you for the August break 2013. A list of photo daily prompts is a great idea.
ha! That was a mistake, but now it’s there i quite the idea of photographing taste twice — you can interpret it any way you like :)
I enjoyed this last year. The prompts are a great idea.
Sounds fun, I like the prompt idea! Have a happy weekend!
Hi Susannah… found you via a tiny piece mentioning your course in The Simple Things magazine. Was intrigued… the course not really for me on reflection, but I like the August Break idea. I have some surgery coming up sometime later this summer/autumn, and rather than become morose and uncommunicative as I usually do when faced with something I don’t like or want to do, I decided this challenge would be the thing to focus on each day instead. Hope there are some other Brits joining – I’ve mentioned it on one of my blogs… http://www.hometalesfromanorfolkbroad.blogspot.com
Looking forward to it….x
so glad you’re joining us, Maggie! it’ll be a great way to do something creative and mindful each day x
That sounds refreshing. I might have to join in.
Wonderful idea to keep the creative juices flowing but relieve the pressure of finding the words. Looking forward to it already! xxx
I can’t wait to join you for my first ever August break. It’s perfectly timed as I’m trying to finish creating my 1st digital experience – and have been wanting to pick up my camera and start shooting again.
Thank you for opening this up to all of us and sharing your creativity with the world! xo
This sounds like fun I will be on vacation the first week. Hopefully where I’m at I will be able to get on the Internet . Have a great weekend!
Saun
I’m so looking forward to this!
With my final semester starting, this is the perfect way to not let my blog die but take away the pressure to blog.
Thank you, Susannah.
This is going to be so much fun, I’m a first time August-breaker. :)
Very nice ideia, i´m joining you in this August break! Love your blog!CS
soooooo excited!!!!!
I think I’m going to enjoy doing this :)
Great idea and I’m on board! I’m currently working on a new body of work, so my blog has taken a backseat. I guess I feel like i always need to post content and dont have much fun with my blog. Hopefully this August break will be just the push I need to have fun and be more consistent.
Thanks
Yay! Looking forward to participating again this year. :-)
Is this the fourth year??? Is that possible?
I always look forward to The August Break, and this year is no exception.
This is fantastic, I’ve been looking for something to inspire my instagram photos :D Looking forward to checking out the other entries!
Thanks to your August Break I’ve taken photos and put them up every day since the beginning. It’s so supporting for my blogging – although I’ve got also less sleep because of my late blogging activities ;-)
Thank you so much for the mention. I can’t begin to explain how much this means to me. Thank you. x