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.