Photography · Scrapbooking

Preparing for Week In The Life

I have never done Week in the Life before. For years I’ve watched people post amazing photos and layouts documenting their week and thought “I’d like to do that someday”. Well, that day (week) has come!

Ali Edwards is an idol of mine. I mean, who doesn’t love her laid-back approach to scrapbooking? The way she sees beauty in the every day? Don’t even get me started on her photographs! Who else could make a picture of hand washing look like a work of art? If you haven’t checked out her blog post about Week in the Life, you can do that here.

There are so many reasons I chose this year to be the one I joined in. I’m at a great place and I want to be sure to document the small things that make up a happy life. I have been in a creative groove lately and figured now is as good a time as any. And, after years of longing, I’ve finally purchased a DSLR. I have barely figured out how to use it, but that’s not gonna stop me! What better way to learn than a week devoted to taking pictures, right?

I went back and forth about the kit. It’s not like I need more supplies, but it is so perfect! And everyone online was raving about the quality. Because I’m easily influenced, I caved and days later the kit arrived on my doorstep. Shame on you, enablers!

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

I love the colors in the kit! It’s hard to tell in the photo, but the days of the week on the 4×6 cards are written in gold foil. I’m normally a silver person, but there’s just something about the tone and the shine against those bright colors.

There are also 7 3×4 cards with the days of the week across the top and a section for morning, afternoon, and evening. There are filler cards, general journaling cards, and cards that are more prompts. Even if my creativity is lacking, these cards should make it easy to document the day. At least, that’s my hope.

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

These little rubber words are absolutely adorable. I have no idea what I’m going to do with them yet, but they will get used. No doubt about it!

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

I envision at least one of these chipboard circles going on a black and white photo. Have I mentioned how much I love the colors in this kit yet?

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

There are a ton of these black chipboard letters. And, it’s hard to make them out in this photo, but there are large, thin, transparent letters- one for each day of the week.

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

I am a sucker for a stamp set! I see so many uses for this long after Week in the Life is over. I’m not sure if I’m going to use the expression stickers in this project or not. I like them and will find something to use them for, but I don’t know that I want to add cream when so much of the kit is white. A little OCD, I know, but it’s the only thing in this color and it’ll probably bother me. Rest assured, if it doesn’t end up in this scrapbook, it will in another.

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

These wood veneer numbers are awesome! They are just the right thickness and nice and tall. I’m pretty sure there should be a 1 in there, but I didn’t get one in my kit. I’ll probably contact customer service and find out for sure, but I’m not too worried about it.

Since this is my first time, I thought a little planning was in order. Here are a couple of things I’m doing to prepare for Week in the Life:

  • I took Ali’s class Lens of Joy. It’s less about the technical side of photography and more about how you view the world through the lens of whatever camera you choose to use. She talked about why she takes the photographs she does and how to capture them in a way to gain the most emotional impact. I learned a ton!
  • As I’ve been going through my day-to-day life lately, I’ve been making a list of pictures I want to be sure to take. I’m pretty good about getting special occasions, but it takes practice to see the something special in the everyday. To me, Week in the Life isn’t about scheduling a bunch of things so I have lots of pictures to take. But more about what my life looks like normally (if there is such a thing!).
  • I’ve been warning my family, friends, and coworkers. I work in the Service Department of a Chevrolet dealership and, while they are an amazing group of guys, they already think my obsession with crafting is pretty strange. They’ve gotten used to me leaning over their shoulders to get just the right picture of the disassembled engine, but I wanted them to be aware I’ll be taking it to a whole new level! It’s just a week. They can deal with it 🙂
  • Sunday or Monday? That was the question for me. I know Ali starts on Monday, but I always think of the beginning of a week as Sunday. And Sundays around here are usually lazy days spent at home, so I think it’ll be a good way to ease into the project. While the rest of the world may be starting on Monday, May 9th, this girl will begin on Sunday.
  • I didn’t want to get too crazy with the planning, but I thought it would be a good idea to get the album unwrapped and put my page protectors in. Once I got started, I couldn’t help trying to figure out where some of the cards might go. Before I knew it, I had placed almost all of the cards in the pockets and arranged the pages the way I think they might go. Nothing’s set in stone, but if all I do is take pictures, print them, and jot a couple notes, I’ll have a completed album.

How I'm Preparing for Week in the Life. adriennesinklings.com

The most important thing I’ve done to prepare for Week in the Life is to really think about why I am doing this and what I hope to accomplish. I love the idea of celebrating the magic in everyday moments. I am grateful for the people in my life and the opportunities I’ve been given. One week isn’t enough to capture it all, but it will be a great reminder of how full my life is.

Are you doing Week in the Life? Is there anything you are doing to prepare or are you flying by the seat of your pants? Do you have any tips or suggestions? If you’re going to be posting your photos or layouts anywhere, I’d love to follow your journey. Leave a comment below of your Instagram, blog, or Facebook account. Good luck!

13 thoughts on “Preparing for Week In The Life

  1. I love hearing your thoughts on the planning process!! This is my first year too, and I have been thinking about whether I wanted to plan things or not. I love how you started to think about the things you do daily that you might want to take pictures on. Can’t wait to see how your week goes!! Good luck!

    1. Thanks, Hannah. I’m a planner by nature, but I’m trying to find a good balance so I don’t make myself crazy and forget to enjoy it. You’ll have to keep me posted on your week! It will be interesting to see what we learned and what we would do differently ?

  2. It’s my first year too! I didn’t get the kit, but I’m going through Allie’s blog and reading her posts. I have a DSLR that is neglected, so I’m gonna dust her off and annoy the crap out of my family this week.

    1. Lol! I know what you mean. I can see everyone rolling their eyes already ? But it’s just one week and I think they’ll appreciate it years from now when they can look back. At least that’s my hope!

  3. This year will be my 3rd week in the life and I love love love it!
    I will be sharing my WITL on my insta @thefergiestory and on my blog. I can’t wait for the 9th
    I’ve just found your blog and am loving it so far!

    1. Hi, Kelly. Just started to follow you on Instagram. Loved your blog too! That post on what you learned from the last WITL was so helpful. I’ll be sure to check back in and see how next week goes for you!

  4. I plan on capturing my coffee cup each day, the routines with my baby, and a few more self portraits! I’ve been taking Lens of Joy too! Enjoy your week 🙂

    1. Isn’t Lens of Joy great? It took me a while to get through all the content, but I really enjoyed it. I have a daughter who’s grown and out of the house and I think it would have been a great project to do when she was younger. How awesome it’ll be for your child to be able to look back! Have a great week and keep me posted on how it goes.

  5. I am starting on Sunday along with you. While I love my DSLR (which one did you get by the way?), I will probably take most pics with my phone since it’s easier to do at work. I am still going through the Ali photography class, but with the videos I just haven’t gotten through them very quickly. Hopefully soon!

    1. Hi, Ruth! I ended up getting a Canon 80D and I love it. Once I figure out how to actually use it I’ll be unstoppable! Lol. Like you, I’ll probably still take the majority of my photos with my phone for the convenience factor, but there will definitely be times I’ll make it a point to use the DSLR. I can’t wait to hear how the project goes for you. You’ll have to keep me posted!

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