Joy365: Week Three of the Photo a Day challenge

Dani Zebrowska
Jan 24
3 min read

Welcome to week three of The Z Studio Project #Joy365 challenge. I've challenged myself to take at least one photo every day of 2026 - to get me out of my creative block, create and capture moments of joy, and to start blogging and sharing again.

You can read more of the whys-and-wherefores here, and I'll link the other weeks below this blog. I share my photos over on Instagram (where you join in too using our handle or hashtag), and go into more detail here, with the story behind the photo as well as any other pictures I'm proud of for the week. So here you go...

Week Three:

A view down a side street in Liverpool, UK, where the grand architecture contrasts with the cars and industrial bins.

Photo One: Our daughter was gifted a voucher for Christmas to a shop that we no longer have in Chester, so we popped over to Liverpool for the afternoon - it was a lovely little trip for the two of us, and she especially loved her first visit to a sushi restaurant! I think this was the moment I started seeing the benefits of this challenge - I've always tried to slow down and be mindful, but this is helping me also look at new angles, new views, and still be present in the moment.

An overhead shot showing hands holding the Sony ZV-1 camera

Photo Two: A quiet Sunday at home as it rained all day. I did get some housework done, though, and - excitement - my new camera arrived! Part of this challenge was so I could up my photography game, and while a phone camera is great these days (and the challenge was also for me to use my phone for creativity rather than doomscrolling!), I want to be more intentional about the whole thing too. I used to use my husband's second camera for days out, but it's pretty bulky and too big for every day use, so, after a bit of research, I went with the Sony ZV-1. Primarily aimed at vloggers, and over five years old at this point, it was still appearing in lists of the top cameras within my budget and specifications, so I'm excited to test drive this little gem over the year!

Book titled "The Russian Concubine" by Kate Furnivall on a fluffy brown and beige blanket. The cover shows a woman and red flowers.

Photo Three: I started feeling a bit like I was getting ill (a theme throughout this week, unfortunately!), so had an early night - though I've read a really gripping book this week - The Russian Concubine, by Kate Furnivall - so I was actually really happy to curl up under a fluffy blanket with a book!

Two black and white cats nap on a bed surrounded by plush toys, including a gray elephant and colorful llama. Cozy and serene setting.

Photo Four: Sorry-not-sorry that a lot of these photos throughout the year are very likely to be of my cats; Mouse (on the giant squishmallow), and Alfred. Because, well, why wouldn't I take photos of this cuteness - especially when they're actually kind of tolerating being near each other!

Close-up of a wooden tray with assorted grilled meats and a bowl of beans with red cabbage. Blurred background of people dining.

Photo Five: Another thing I'm trying to be better at this year is actually meeting up more often with my two best friends - so we're trying to arrange at least one 'date night' each month together. We met up after work for a cocktail, then headed down to The Stixx, a South African Braai restaurant, where the meat is barbecued outdoors and served with heaps of potato salad and sides. It was absolutely delicious and we'll definitely return when the weather is a bit warmer, as there's al fresco dining options and a jazz bar next door so I bet the atmosphere is gorgeous.

Crocheted fabric squares in blue hues on a beige surface with handwritten text and stamps, creating a cozy, creative mood.

Photo Six: A quiet night, crocheting and watching The Traitors. I've enjoyed crocheting for years, and once even had a little side-hustle making custom crochet creations, but, like everything, when the burnout hit, I stopped. I picked it back up a few months ago, and I'm working on simple granny squares now with the aim of busting through some half-used yarn, and making a big blanket. It's a simple, repetitive pattern that I can do while watching TV, and since each square doesn't take all that long, I get a bit of a dopamine hit every time one is finished. Will I actually make the blanket or will the squares end up in the WIP bag of doom? Only time will tell!

A robin with an orange chest perched on a wooden ledge in a lush garden, surrounded by green foliage and small orange leaves.

Photo Seven: Not the greatest photo as this was taken on my very zoomed in phone camera, through a slightly grubby kitchen window! But this little chap appeared in our garden again a few days ago, and he just enjoys chilling on the fence. It's always a little moment of joy when I spot him while I'm pottering about in the kitchen (and reminds me that we need to replenish the bird-feeder before the next cold snap!)

A few other photos from the week: More from days out, nights out, days in and nights in.