Stepping in front of the camera can feel intimidating for photographers who are most comfortable behind it. In my Wilde Wanderings Photo Project, I challenged myself to create one environmental self-portrait each month while exploring nature. Over the course of a year, this personal photography project pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me valuable lessons about planning, adaptability, creative problem-solving, and giving myself grace. From icy winter staircases to crowded mountain docks and unpredictable weather, each image became more than a photo—it became a memory, a reflection, and a reminder that meaningful work doesn’t require perfection.

52 Clicks | Week 3 | Asymmetry

Asymmetry was the next theme in our month of composition in our Project 52. It was a new concept for some of us, and there may or may not have been some familiar grumblings about how the project is off to a challenging start. And I may or may not have smirked a bit with gleeful pleasure because isn't that the whole point? To challenge ourselves?

On top of the already challenging theme, a majority of us also faced weather challenges. As in, dangerous sub-zero temperatures that forced us inside with our cameras (Hi, that's me!). As you scroll through the participants images you'll see a common theme: snow, winter, frost, liars who make people believe winter is a lovely season, more false advertising on the idea of a winter wonderland, and...dogs.

It's not too late to hop in! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In photography, colour does far more than add visual interest. It shapes the mood of an image, draws the viewer in, and helps communicate the story. In our Chase the Rainbow project, we celebrate colour by focusing on a different shade each month. Whether that’s seeking out the colour in nature, spotting it at home, or styling a scene with thoughtfully selected props and clothing, the project encourages creativity and seeing the world through a more colourful lens.

“Brown is the color of hearth and home — of dried herbs and stone-ground bread and freshly baked cookies.” Leatrice Eiseman

The first colour for 2026 is brown. Brown is anything but drab! It’s a beautifully warm, earthy colour that creates a feeling of coziness and nostalgia. Coffee, chocolate, crispy dried leaves, tree bark, stuffed toys, pets, architecture, we see so much of brown in our everyday lives that we can easily overlook its magic. 

Enjoy looking through all our brown images.

The second week of our composition month in our Project 52 was all about the rule of triangles. This sent a lot of us into overthinking mode as we hunted for triangles and/or tried to wrap our minds around the golden triangle composition. Incorporating triangles in your work is an easy way to make your images more visually engaging. Take a peek at a small sampling of the p52 participants' use of triangles.

If you're looking for a project that sparks your creativity and gets you thinking each week, there's still plenty of time to join us! Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Self-portrait photography doesn’t have to feel awkward or intimidating. Whether you’re documenting everyday moments with your kids or stepping in front of the camera on your own, self-portraits can be a powerful way to build confidence, create meaningful memories, and reconnect with yourself. In this post, you’ll learn simple, low-pressure ways to start taking self-portraits, from easy camera setups and movement tips to easing into faceless shots and embracing vulnerability—no perfection required.

And so we begin again. The 2026 Project 52 kicked off with what seemingly is an easy theme: center composition. The general consensus, though, is this composition is far trickier than meets the eye. I think you'll agree upon looking through a sampling of the participants' images below that they make it look easy.

We're just getting started on the p52, and there's still time for you to join! The project is open to anyone, no matter the skill level or genre. We have people from all over the world, and all are welcome! Sign up now to join!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Winter photography offers a stunning mix of snowy landscapes, soft light, and cozy indoor moments — but it also comes with unique challenges. From managing exposure in bright snow to using color, perspective, and thoughtful editing, these six practical tips will help you confidently capture the magic of winter and create images that feel both beautiful and intentional.

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the December 2025 HOLLY JOLLY Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

52 Clicks | Week 52 | Word of the Year

To finish off our 2025 Project 52, our final theme was "word of the year." This isn't one we've done before, but it was interesting to see what words everyone picked to either represent the year that just passed or to guide the year to come.

And just like that, another project has come to an end. Cue the celebration and happy tears for surviving a year-long project! It's no small feat, and I'd love for everyone to take a moment to reflect on the journey. Disregard any negative voices that might be trying to tell you that you didn't complete it with all 52 images or there were a handful of images you didn't love or that you struggled or that you doubted yourself or, or, or... Our inner voices can be so loud and mean, but try to mute the negative self-talk and celebrate all the small wins and gains over the past year.

If you'd like to do the project with us this year, jump on in! We're just getting started and we'd love to have you. Sign up now!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

When you mention terms like "golden hour," "window light," and "even lighting," how does that resonate with you as a photographer? Does it ignite excitement for a photoshoot? Maybe it brings a sense of relief during a client session? Now, consider terms like "dappled light," "harsh light," and "direct sun." How do you feel now? Does it introduce a hint of stress? Lastly, let's talk about flash. Does it evoke a sense of calm or anxiety? Flash seems to have a negative reputation.

We asked our P52 students to select a favorite image from their 2025 project (not an easy task). We wanted to peek into their thought process and find out why that image stood out or what the project came to mean to them. This post is a reflection of the impact photography projects can have, especially when they’re experienced alongside a supportive community.

If you’re looking for a similar experience in 2026, I’d love to have you join us as we begin the new year with a brand-new theme schedule and fresh prompts!

xo Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 51 | Shoot Through

One of the fan favorite themes in our Project 52 is "shoot through" during our creative techniques month. It's one we've done a handful of times over the years, and it's always fun to see what people come up with to shoot through. Copper pipes, string lights, windows, door frames, plastic bags, and on and on and on. The possibilities are endless, which is why it makes the theme such a fun one.

It's a little hard to believe we have entered our final week in our year-long project. We all mark success differently. Some of us will have 52 images by the end of this week. Others will have a different number to boast about. To me, the number of images isn't an accurate way to measure the success of projects of this magnitude. So much happens in the scope of a year, and many times our real lives derail us in ways we can't predict or control, and we need to push pause on creative endeavors. So to use the numbers of images as a measurement of success would be a deeply unsympathetic and inflexible way to determine the worth of creative projects. Instead, let's normalize the ways in which we protect our mental health and herald the celebration of the small wins, especially when the small wins are truly the big wins in small packages.

As we finish up this year's project, we are already looking ahead to beginning anew in 2026. We'd love to have you join us! Sign up now to join us in 2026!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

52 Clicks | Week 50 | Bokeh

Every December in our Project 52 we do a bokeh theme. It's such a perfect time of year with all the festive lights, adding that magical touch to your holiday images. Although the majority of us created Christmasy images, other p52 participants instead focused on using that dreamy and creamy bokeh background in their images. 

With the year winding down, you might be focusing ahead to the new year and deciding what sort of creative endeavors to partake in. If a Project 52 is on your radar, we'd love to have you in our group. Sign up now to join us in 2026!

xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Most photographers pack their cameras away when winter arrives — assuming the light is too flat, the snow too bright, and the season too limiting. I used to feel the same way. But after moving from France to Canada, winter became impossible to avoid… and ultimately, impossible not to love.

Winter isn’t a dead season. It’s a hidden world.

Its soft, low light, natural reflectors, subtle colors, and delicate textures completely transformed my work. Once I learned to slow down and truly see winter, my images gained depth, emotion, and a creative spark I never expected.

If winter photography feels hard, you’re not doing it wrong — you’re just on the brink of discovering its magic. When you learn to work with winter, not against it, the season becomes one of the most inspiring and rewarding times to create.

52 Clicks | Week 49 | Starbursts

The next creative theme in our Project 52 was starbursts. The most important factor in this theme is light, and a majority of us suffered from overcast weather and had to pivot to a light source besides the sun. Thankfully this time of year provides plenty in the form of festive twinkle lights. 

I personally had to go way out of my comfort zone this week as I experimented with the lights on my Christmas tree. The group rallied behind me and gave me a swift kick in the butt to just take the picture already. While we may grumble on weeks like this, we all agree that so much can be gained from the struggle and experimentation and practice.

If this sounds like something you're interested in, sign up now to join us in 2026!
xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

Colour is one of the most powerful tools in photography. Colour can evoke emotions, tell stories, and transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In our Chase the Rainbow project we explore the beauty of a different colour each month. Whether that’s finding the colour in nature, around the house or setting up a scene with colourful props and clothing.

“Silver, gold - I don't discriminate! I like sparkly things.”  - Charlaine Harris

This month’s theme was Gold / Silver. These shiny, metallic colours evoke a sense of luxury and glamour. Each carries its own distinct mood: gold is often associated with warmth, success and celebration, while the cooler silver suggests reflection, clarity and quiet sophistication. Together, they feel especially fitting for this Christmassy time of year, bringing a touch of sparkle and seasonal magic to every image.

Enjoy looking through all our images.

Bring the warmth and magic of the holidays into your images with creative bokeh techniques. In this blog, we explore how to use light intentionally, when to reach for overlays, and simple steps to add soft, festive glow to your photos. Whether you’re shooting indoors, outdoors, or enhancing images in post, these tips will help you create dreamy holiday photos filled with depth, emotion, and atmosphere.

52 Clicks | Week 48 | Emoji

December is always reserved for creative themes in our Project 52. We kicked off the month with a brand new theme for us: emoji. This open-ended prompt allowed us to be as creative and cheeky as we pleased. It was a lot of fun seeing what everyone came up with, whether they literally translated the chosen emoji or took a more liberal approach. See what the p52 participants did with this theme. I bet they make you smile.

It's hard to believe that this is our final month in the 2025 project. What a year it has been! So much learning and self-discovery, and let's not forget how often we stepped outside of our comfort zones (even when we whined and moaned about it) that led to even more learning and growing. If this sounds like something you'd want to do in 2026, we'd love to have you! Sign up now to join us!
xoxo,
Angie Mahlke

In this post we share our Winner and Featured Artists for the November NOSTALGIA Photo Challenge at The Framed Focus!

Most of us picked up a camera for a genuine reason — to document our kids, to chase the beauty of nature, or to find calm in a chaotic world. But somewhere along the way, the algorithm started shaping what and how we shoot.

Personal photography projects, like a Project 52, offer a way back to creating for ourselves. Weekly themes encourage experimentation, consistent practice builds confidence and skill, and the routine helps you reconnect with your creative voice.

And when motivation dips, community becomes everything. A supportive group can carry you through the ruts, helping you grow, refine your style, and build a body of work you’re proud of.

If you’re ready to shoot for joy again—not for the algorithm—I’d love to have you join the 2026 run of 52 Clicks.