Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography

Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography

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Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography
Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography
June Creative Assignment: Making Memories at the Dinner Table

June Creative Assignment: Making Memories at the Dinner Table

A monthly photo practice to help you connect with your life and tap into your creativity

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Suzy
Jun 17, 2025
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Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography
Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography
June Creative Assignment: Making Memories at the Dinner Table
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After 17 years as a photographer, I’ve realized one of the most important (and overlooked) skills is simply this: learning how to actually take the picture.

Not planning the perfect shot. Not waiting for a spark of inspiration.

Just simply the act of picking up the camera and choosing to take the picture.

I see so many people get caught up in the anxiety of not knowing where to begin. They wait for the perfect idea or creative moment, and as a result, never really start.

So for the last 6 months I’ve been working on building out ideas for monthly assignments to help make taking pictures easier (and more fun!) for you.

Because I want you to learn how to have fun with photography in your every day life, and have something really incredible at the end of the year to show for it. I mean honestly, can you imagine sitting down at the end of the year with an album of photos you’ve taken every month to look through on your own or with your family? (I’m already so excited thinking about it)

Chasing Joy Through (film) Photography is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I’m a mom of 3 kids and the more subscribers I get the better I can make this content for you.

Took this photo with my canon ae-1 and portra 400 film

Here’s how this monthly series will work:

  • Free subscribers will get access to the monthly creative assignment.

  • Paid subscribers will get my behind-the-scenes reflections, photos from my version of the assignment along with tips + ideas for how to get more creative with it.

  • The comment section will be for paid members, so we can create an intimate space to ask questions and support each other.

  • You can post your photos from each monthly assignment and tag me to be featured.

→ At the end of the year, I’ll show you how to turn your photos into a keepsake album you can enjoy for yourself or with the people you love.

Some important things to note, while I love shooting film and I encourage you to shoot these with your film camera, use whatever camera you have available to you. The point of these assignments is to help you have fun with shooting and develop your creative mind’s eye. You can always work up to using film for these later if you aren’t quite there yet.

All right, let’s dive right in!

June’s creative assignment: Make a meal and share it with someone you love (even if that’s you).

This month’s creative assignment is all about the power of making memories with the people we love at the dinner table.

The inspiration for this assignment first came while reading the most beautiful film photography cookbook called The Kids Table by Monroe Alvarez x Koko Momo.

My absolute favorite part about the book, besides the beautiful film photography, is the artist’s statement of intention:

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