Living in Canada you kind of have to embrace the cold and snow.  If you are in a climate where there is snow, get out there and play around today.  Throw some snow in the air, make a snowman or snow ball, or do a little shoveling.  It's picture you day so make sure you capture yourself playing in the snow. If you don't have snow where you are, show us what the weather is in your area.  Maybe you can dance in the rain or splash in the pool.  Don't forget to get out and play, regardless of where you are!

Who or what is helpful to you? Capture the people or things that help make your life better.  Two of my grandkids gave me these mitts for Christmas one year.  These two are now 16 and 21 years old. Having this special gift for me helps me to remember all of the good times we have had.

Right now, Mother Nature is about to change.  Here in the southwest U.S. that change is from the withered browns of winter to the budding greens of springs.  It is amazing, however, that when we take a close look at those withered leaves, stems, and pods, there is rich beauty within.

Take a walk outside today.  Keep your eyes open for some withered beauty.  Get in close and show us the colors.

This is mini me and my husband.  I put some lights behind us to get some bokeh, and used a cover over my lens with a heart. 

What represents you today?

The Outer Banks is a winter hot spot for a lot of migratory birds, and I love it when I happen upon one of their hang-out spots! 

Share something you love with us today! 

I have to admit - I am a collector.  Little bits of nature: rocks, tiny seed pods, interesting dried (dead) seed or bloom heads, you name it and I will pack it home.  I purchased this little huckleberry dish on a recent trip to Glacier National Park and it holds some of my treasures.  Do you collect tiny things?  Show us some "Tiny" today.

Are you a baker, or do your cookies come from the bakery or a box?  Whichever method you prefer, today's the day to indulge and have yourself a cookie.  If cookies aren't your thing I'm sure a grandchild or partner will likely be willing to help you out! If you like, it's a great time to try some food photography.  Can you make us say yum when we look at your photo?

Today is our technical day....  The technical challenge today is to take a photo of the same subject in the same location using 3 different lenses and compare your results.  You may post all three images or just your favorite capture. If you are using a camera with a fixed lens, try different apertures. If you are using your phone,  use different modes...  portrait mode or panarama for example.  My sample photo was taken with a Lens Baby Sol 45. It's interesting to see how your subject will look with different focal lengths and apertures.

They say, "when you see red, photograph it."  This week, we are changing red to pink.  Photograph pink today.  And for an extra challenge, add the color pink to each of the week's other prompts and create a "pink-licious"  week of photos.

Twisted and pink, that was a bit of a challenge, but at this time of year in our house you can usually find a hyacinth and this one seemed to be too heavy for it's stalk, so was twisted on the table.

What can you find that is twisted today?

A little bit of color can be just enough...

especially when it comes in such a tasty form! 

As Pink Week continues, think about incorporating a bit of it into your day!

A new book of pretty papers had this wonderful message on the first page.  What I love is exploring nature and photographing wildlife and birds.  What is it that speaks to you today?  Is the message written on pink paper or with pink ink?  Share the message that resonates with you today.

I thought I'd share a good suggestion should you ever find yourself face to face with a Polar Bear!  You must protect yourself by fighting it.  Good to know eh!  I think I'll just stay right here thanks!

What does the word protection mean to you? What makes you feel safe or what do you do to make others feel safe?  It's A Picture is Worth... day so include words in your photo.  A sign, a letterboard, even handwriting is just perfect.  And for an extra challenge, are you able to add some pink into your photo.  It's up to you whether you carry the colour throughout all your photos this week so don't stress too much trying to include too many things in one photo.

Happy Valentine's Day!  There should be no shortage of hearts to photograph today.  If you are participating in our color challenge, make sure to include pink in your image!

Every now and then, the weather is perfect for sitting outside and playing my guitar.  Music and nature are good for the soul.

What are you holding in your hands while outside today?

This photo of the two geese was taken when the local lake was frozen over and the sun was setting.  I like the fact that they are on the diagonal and that there is a reflection so seeing double!

Think about where to position your subjects.

What you are seeing double of today?

Keep a look out for stripes today and show us the ones you find -  it's that simple! 

If you ask family and/or friends to describe you, you will get many different ideas of "who" you are.  My instagram name is oldidahocowgirl - I am that, but I am also a sister, daughter, friend, step-mom, artist, photographer, nature lover, animal lover, and very haphazard gardener.   I love many things and will try my hand at a lot of different projects.  Here I am in my greenhouse, something I have wanted for a very long time (even though I am not a great gardener).  Show us a bit of yourself today, one of those tiny little parts of you that are important.

Time to pull the mini figures out and play!  It's Picture character day. 

Do you still use a paper map?  They're getting harder and harder to find.  More folks use their phones for maps and directions these days.  What is your favourite type of way to use a map?  Pull out your mini figure or character and show us what type of map is your go to choice.  My lego photographer is trying to decide where her next trip will be.  The possibilities are endless.

If you are living in an area where it snows, this should be an easy prompt! If you don't, it could get more challenging.  You may have to go for a walk on a beach, or throw some flour on the ground to walk through! You could make your own footprints or find some left behind by another person.  

Frame can mean many things whan it comes to composing a photo.  You can use a literal frame.  Or, you can use elements in the photo to create a frame around your subject.  In this photo, the frame of the loom frames the weaver, who is the subject.

As you take today's photo, think about some aspect of framing in your image.

My photo is the snowdrops that our outside our front door.

Today the prompt word is easy, so don't over think it, take a photo of something that is in front of you.

Today is Challenge Day!  This is the day that we want you to recreate the example image with your own twist.  Use any kind or size of brush and any color or paint medium.  If you get a drip, that's even better!

This little cat is one of several feral cats on our property.  She is not friendly but follows me everywhere when I am outside.  We have tried and tried to get her to let us pet her but she hisses and swats at our hands.  I am sure my husband will continue to try and tame her, but I think she is happy knowing she has a good meal and warm place to sleep.  How do you imagine the word "Try" today?  Is it extra effort, tasting something new or maybe just a quiet attempt at a new task or project.  Show us your try for the day.

Today's prompt is focus.  I decided to focus on a single object today for my photo.  A single tree in the snow always makes for a nice photo don't you think.  If you'd like to do the same, find one object and focus on it for your prompt today.  

You could also look at other ways to show focus such as making your object out of focus or using in camera motion.  The choice is all yours! What will you focus on today?

Get ready - our first scavenger hunt of 2025 is here! Every quarter, we’ll ask you to capture four photos and create a fun collage that showcases the day’s prompt. I can't wait to see which points of view you choose - the possibilities are endless! 

Wondering where to get those collage templates? 

Here are a few options and many of them are free and come with a wide variety of customizable templates.  

Adobe Photoshop Express - Canva - Collage App - Diptic - Layout for Instagram - PicMonkey - Pic Stitch App - Lightroom - Check out Garnett’s blog post for step by step instructions to create a template 

Take the opportunity today to enjopy the muffin of your choice.  Bake it or buy it from your favorite bakery.  Don't forget to photograph it before you eat it.  You may want to tell the story of your muffin.  Photograph it with your favorite coffee mug or teacup.  Or, in the container with the bakery's name.  Or, in a muffin tin.  What does your muffin have to say today?

Today is a good day to learn a new skill or a new setting on your phone.

This photo a friend showed me how to take a portrait photo of my coffee whilst making the background blurred.

What new setting can you find on your camera or your phone, let us know what you have learnt!