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It all started on a whim.

It was Christmas Eve. While scrambling to find a few last-minute gifts, I was standing in a Target aisle, debating whether or not to buy a Polaroid camera. My family would soon be heading to my grandparents’ house for our traditional Christmas celebration, and I had this idea that bringing an instant camera could add a fun, nostalgic twist to Christmas Eve 2023. Something about the idea of snapping real, physical photos in the moment just felt right.

So, without really thinking it through, I bought the Polaroid Now Gen 2 and brought it with me. The first photo I took was of my dog, Bentley. I didn’t even know how to use the camera yet—but when the photo developed, it was so vibrant and sharp, I was stunned. That photo would later become one of the most iconic from the entire project.

And just like that, I was hooked.

What started as a fun gadget quickly became a year-long commitment: one Polaroid photo every single day of 2024. And since it was a leap year, that meant 366 days.

Check out all 366 Days here: [Find Video in Original Post]

Why I Committed to a 366-Day Polaroid Project

2023 was a heavy year. I lost a close friend, and while putting together a memorial photo board in her honor, I had this moment of clarity: I wasn’t taking enough photos. Not the posed, curated kind—but the small, real-life ones. The moments you want to remember but often don’t think to document.

I wanted to change that. I wanted to start living more mindfully and creatively. So I combined that desire with a medium I’d never really explored: instant photography.

Polaroids felt perfect—immediate, imperfect, and totally analog. They forced me to slow down, think, and treat each photo like it mattered. And for the next 12 months, that’s exactly what I did.

​5 Reasons to Try Instant Photography​

The Gear: Cameras That Got Me Through the Year

Throughout the year, I used several different Polaroid cameras—each offering its own unique strengths (and quirks). Here’s a quick look:

• ​Polaroid Now Gen 2 (occasionally used)
  This was my gateway into the world of instant photography. Simple, point-and-shoot, and easy to use. It doesn’t allow for full manual control, but for the first few weeks, that was exactly what I needed.

• ​Polaroid I-2 (my favorite Polaroid camera)
  I upgraded to this camera pretty early on. It’s a serious tool for instant photography lovers, offering manual control, a sharp lens, and an OLED display. It’s big and bulky compared to my phone, but the quality? Unreal.

​Read My Polaroid I-2 Review​

• ​Polaroid SX-70 (coolest camera used)
  I experimented with this tiny, travel-friendly folding camera a few times. It uses its own film format (SX-70 film) and is great when you want something compact and playful. It develops cooler than the much warmer toned I-Type Film.

The Film: A Year of Chemistry and Color

I mostly used Polaroid i-Type color film, which works with both the Now Gen 2 and I-2. But throughout the year, I also experimented with:

• Black & White i-Type Film – For moody shots or when I wanted to lean into shadows and contrast.
• Polaroid SX-70 Film – Used with a vintage SX-70 camera I borrowed briefly. Super delicate, with a soft, retro aesthetic.
• Polaroid I-Type Film – Less expensive and great for quick shots.
• Polaroid Special Edition Film – Pantone and special artist editions.

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The post My 365 Project: One Polaroid Photo Every Day for a Year 📸 appeared first on The Rocky Safari.