There’s something about this time of year that feels like a fresh start — whether you’re heading into the cooler months here in Australia, or enjoying the sunshine in the northern parts of the world. Wherever you are, I hope this month’s photo challenge brings a little spark of creativity and joy to your days.
This list is packed with simple prompts to get you picking up your camera (or phone!) each day and noticing the little things — the warm mug in your hands, the pop of yellow out the window, or the chaos that somehow still feels beautiful.
You don’t have to be a pro. You don’t have to post every day. Just join in when you can, snap what feels good, and have fun with it.
Below you’ll find the prompts for each day of May — and a short description for each to help get your creative wheels turning.
Let’s make May a month of moments worth remembering. ✨
How to play Photo A Day
Playing Photo A Day is super simple, and an easy way to get creative.
📷 Look at the list for the daily prompt.
📷 Take a photo using the prompt as inspiration. For example, if the prompt is ‘MY FAVOURITE MUG’ so start the month and share a photo of your favourite mug – maybe even a mug shot (you and your mug!).
📷 Once you’ve taken your photo, it’s time to share it! You can share to Instagram, or Facebook (more details below).
📷 Enjoy the community. On both Instagram and Facebook (especially in our private Facebook group), we have a beautiful community. Each day we pick our favourite four photos to put a spotlight on. You can spend time liking and commenting on other people’s photos, and maybe your photos will get picked for the Fab Four!
How to play on Instagram
Simply check out the list for the daily prompt, and then snap a photo using that as inspiration. Share your photo, and be sure to include the hashtag #FMSPAD in your caption so the community can see your photos. We also have a daily hashtag list (see below) so that we can find your daily photos easier.
Follow our @fms.photoaday Instagram account. We love showing off photos from our community. You can look at the #FMSPAD hashtag to see all the great photos from the challenge.
How to play on Facebook
We have a fun, private FMS Photo A Day Facebook Group that you’re welcome to join. It’s a dedicated place to share your daily photos. We also have a beautiful team who selects four photos every day (the Fab Four) from each daily prompt.
You’re also welcome to share to your own personal feed, whatever suits you best.
How to remember the Photo A Day prompts
Remembering the daily prompts can sometimes be a challenge. You can bookmark this blog post to refer to, save the Photo A Day list to your camera roll (or even make it your screensaver), or you’ll find the list at the top of our Facebook Group. We have also added the prompts to our calendar, so you can download for an easy reminder.
For the calendar prompts: You can download the prompts automatically into your phone or PC calendar. For Smartphones & Mac Calendar, click here. For HTML for web viewing, click here.
A little more about the prompts
1. My favourite mug
That go-to mug you reach for every time — chipped, new, colourful, or comforting.
2. Something soft
Think fluffy socks, a cozy blanket, or a furry friend — anything that feels soft to the touch.
3. Weekend vibe
Capture what your weekend looks or feels like — lazy, busy, joyful, or just coffee-fuelled.
4. From where I stand
Take a photo looking down, or from your point of view — what’s beneath your feet or in front of you?
5. A snack
Show us your mid-morning pick-me-up or your late-night treat. Sweet or savoury, we want it.
6. Sky
Look up! Blue, cloudy, stormy, or sunset skies — anything goes.
7. Something handmade
It could be something you made, or something gifted or bought — as long as it’s made by human hands.
8. Fresh
Fresh fruit, fresh air, fresh sheets — show us something that feels clean and new.
9. Book
A current read, a stack of favourites, or one you love to return to again and again.
10. In bloom
It could be flowers, plants, trees — or even people or moments that are thriving right now.
11. A moment of joy
Big or small — something that sparked a smile or made your heart happy.
12. Favourite colour
Capture your favourite colour in action — in clothes, nature, or your everyday.
13. Reflection
A literal mirror or water reflection — or something a bit deeper and more thoughtful.
14. What’s in my bag
Show us what you carry every day — neat and tidy or delightfully chaotic.
15. Water
Rain, a cup of tea, the ocean, a bath — water shows up in so many forms.
16. On the ground
Look down and photograph something interesting or unexpected at your feet.
17. Morning light
That soft, dreamy light that comes with the start of the day — magical in any space.
18. On the table
What’s on your table right now — a meal, a project, a mess, a masterpiece?
19. My shoes today
Your shoes (or lack of!) — show us where they’re taking you today.
20. Something loud
This could be a noisy moment, a bold colour, or something that makes a visual statement.
21. Yellow
Look around for a pop of this cheerful, sunny colour in your day.
22. Something tiny
Small in size but big in charm — a little object, detail, or creature.
23. Starts with T
Pick something that starts with the letter T — tea, tree, toes, ticket… totally up to you!
24. Doorway
A door you love, a passage, or something symbolic — what are you stepping through?
25. Calm
Capture a peaceful moment or space that helps you feel grounded.
26. In my hand
Show us something you’re holding — a moment, an object, a memory.
27. Something square
A literal square (like a frame or tile), or something cropped into one — play with shape!
28. My happy place
A place, person, or feeling that feels like home to your heart.
29. Messy
Embrace the chaos — life isn’t always tidy, and that’s OK.
30. From the car
Snap a view from the passenger seat (safely!), or something fun on the road.
31. Something blue
Find something blue in your world today — big or small, bright or subtle.
