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When Stephanie and Mav embarked on their "year of mornings," they'd never worked together before. And they live 3,191 miles apart—one in Portland, Oregon; the other in Portland, Maine. Yet, these kindred spirits have bridged their continental divide with a daily project that's become one of the most quietly beautiful photoblogs on the Web.

Their joint endeavor, named "3191" after the driving distance between them, challenges the two artists to take a digital image each morning for a year and post it online. As displayed, the pair of daily photos belies the geographic space separating the women. Each image lies flush against the other, and the subjects bounce off each other in startling, lovely ways.

We checked in with Stephanie and Mav over email to see how they got started and how they capture such light-filled images...

On December 7, 2006, you each took a photo early in the day that was eerily similar, and the images inspired you to start 3191. Tell us more about how that came about.

Stephanie: To my memory, we both posted them on Flickr, and Mav emailed me a day or so later, pairing them together and proposing the idea for the photo blog. I admire Mav's spirit and aesthetic a ton, so I was totally thrilled to participate.

Mav: When I logged into Flickr and saw Stephanie's photo, I just kept looking at it over and over. It embodied everything I love about art and photography. In other words, I saw beauty in the everyday in her photograph. That inspired me... I emailed her and she was excited, so we proceeded with our idea.

We know you don't discuss the pictures before posting them. Is there a lot of discussion afterward?

Stephanie: Not really! We will occasionally email each other and say "nice pairing" or "how funny," but not much beyond that. I think the quietness of the whole project is something we both really love and don't want to spoil.

Mav: We barely talk about the project at all; it just sort of happens. That is really what I like about it. Sometimes, I will drop Stephanie an email saying, "yesterday was my favorite" or some such, but really it's sparse.

How do you know each other?

Stephanie: Well, we got to know each other online through our blogs... and began corresponding about two and a half years ago. We met in person briefly two years ago, and Mav has also become a good friend of my sister Lisa. I'm hoping that we are able to go from 3,191 miles apart to zero sometime soon!

Mav: ... I just got a feeling that Stephanie was someone I wanted to know. And there is so much more I want to know about her. This project helps me see into her life and place it next to mine... an intimacy is there and I consider myself really lucky to be getting to know her more in this unique way.

Stephanie, you live in Portland, Oregon, and Mav, you live in Portland, Maine. It couldn't be more complementary!

Stephanie: Yes, I think we both really love our (adopted) hometowns!

Mav: It was funny that I didn't even think of that when the project came to mind. And it was one of Stephanie's friends who came up with the name and then I realized... oh yeah... It is fun that we both live in a "Portland." It's a nice side-note for sure.

What's your favorite post from 3191?

Stephanie: Oh, I really don't have one favorite. There are many that I return to again and again, however!

Mav: Like Stephanie, I have many that I go back to. I have done food styling so I always like the ones that include food. I think it's just that that is what I'm drawn to photographing.

The novelist Laurie Colwin talks often about "domestic sensuality." Your photos remind us of her charming, tactile descriptions of interiors and objects. There's a sense of a life well-lived.

Stephanie: You know, I have kids and live in a rather run-down house that we are in the process of renovating, so my mornings often feel more messy and chaotic than they do charming or sensual. But this is what taking photos for 3191 does for me—it allows me to stop and notice, to literally focus in on, the beauty of everyday life.

Mav: Oh, how nice. I have not heard of Laurie Colwin but now I want to look her up! ... I'm very inspired by the happy accidents that daily life provide us and I hope that I can keep my life at a pace where I can see, enjoy, and photograph those things for a long time to come.

What is it about an object that inspires you to capture its image?

Stephanie: Lines, space, form, texture, color, and light, but, also, oftentimes there's a story behind the photo. Sometimes it's a story I'm able to convey to the viewer, sometimes I'm the only one who knows the story.

Mav: Oh, I like what Stephanie says. I like white space... around the object I'm capturing. I also enjoy simple, simple, simple. I am almost an addict to the simplicity that can be captured in art and photography. It's just what I'm attracted to both in my life and my work.

Any advice for budding digital photographers?

Stephanie: Gosh, I'm a total amateur, but using natural light is key.

Mav: Natural light is a good one. Read your camera manual for sure. And just give yourself some time to take the photograph. It's you and your camera so take time and set up the shot... It's easier for me to say this with regards to film (what i generally shoot (with) other than for this project) but try to treat your digital camera like it's film. You will delete less and love what you shoot more, in my opinion.

What will you do when the year comes to an end? Will you consider another joint project?

Stephanie: 3191 will end on December 31st. I would always be open to another project with Mav!

Mav: Working with Stephanie again would be a complete pleasure. We've been talking ...

Tell us about your day jobs.

Stephanie: I have a daughter, 7, and a son, 5. I also make things, primarily stuffed toys and soft sculptures. You can see my work at StephanieCongdonBarnes.com

Mav: I have a small business called port2port press. I make letterpress printed cards and prints; I do graphic design, styling, and photography, as well.

Thank you so much for this site. It's gorgeous and lush and soothing. We really love it.

Stephanie: Thank you! It makes me really happy to share this project!

Mav: You are very kind. We appreciate your finding our little project. We have loved it so much and are honored that it means something to others. Cheers!

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