May became National Photography Month in 1987 when Congress recognized the role photography plays in modern society. The American Photographers Association one of the primary backers and supporters of Photography Month. There are activities, exhibits, and sales all month.  Here are some fun ways to participate. 

With the advent of digital imaging interest decreased but then returned in 2007.  National Photography Month Activities

• Photograph  everyday moments   Make a plan to document your life for your descendants. Think of topics like grandma in the kitchen.  Toys. cars.   Perhaps you already document your life. There are Covid themed archives around the world now. Ordinary people and archivists are collecting images, audio, and video (plus more) so that future folk will have the material context to understand the time in which we live.  Is there one in your area?  Ask a local history librarian or a Reference person, they are bound to know.
• Make a photobook.  It doesn’t matter if you use a word processing program or something more sophisticated like Shutterfly or Snapfish.  Chatbooks  turn social media into browseable books with little effort.
• Send a photo card  With Felt  a new app. Old photo or new  There is a new app I can’t wait to try. It’s called Felt and it helps you create cards with digital images and then mails them.  Oooh.  Do I know a few folks that need a family history pick me up. Bet you do too.
• Your pet. Set up an Instagram account for your pet or feature them on Tik Tok.  Dogs and cats are often internet sensations and videos/photos of them go viral. Try it and see.  Pet not really of interest then start an instagram account for your family photos. Watermark each one before uploading using umarkonline.com
• Merge Your Family photos and genealogical information together into a book your descendants will love to look at.   There is nothing like the storytelling potential when you merge images and information. It’s hard for genealogists to accept sometimes that their family isn’t always interested in the tree you’ve built but add in some photos and tell some stories and they’ll be hooked.
• Virtually Visit a photo gallery or museum.  During this pandemic, many museums began offering virtual programming. Some through Facebook, others through YouTube, and some through their website. What’s your favorite museum?  The Museum of the American Revolution’s Facebook page offers short presentations by conservators and artisans.  You can take a virtual tour at The Tenement Museum in New York There are so many options.
• Become the family photographer.   Smartphone or digital SLR, just start snapping and Enroll in a photography course. It doesn’t matter whether it’s at a local college, online, at a local hobby store. it’s a skill you won’t regret acquiring.

I can’t wait to go out in the world again.  While I’m home, I’m in planning mode. What archives do I want to visit?  Is there a location my ancestors lived that I’d like to walk?  Uh.. YES!  Thank you to all the archivists and librarians that are on the job answering our emails and phone calls.  You’re keeping us all sane.  

Have you checked out my Patreon account?  You can support the development of new content (and get content) each month. 

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations. 

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