WHY DO WE TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS?

As a child, the idea of photography seemed magical to me. My parents documented all my childhood as a token of memory that lasts forever. The flash on every camera click, and the shutter sound fascinated me. I used to proudly hang a Handycam around my neck to take pictures of the world around me. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed a shift in how we engage with photography.

What once held meaning turned into an almost mindless gesture, especially in the current generation of smartphones. While they capture images very easily, they have also led to an explosion of thoughtless digital clutter. Photographs that used to evoke a sense of nostalgia have now become a tool of social validation. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat have shifted the focus to curating a perfect life for public approval.

The pressure to post the “perfect shot” has ironically diminished our ability to experience those very moments. To reclaim the essence of photography, we must focus on what truly matters to us and capture the moments that resonate with us. By striking a balance between documenting life and living in the moment, the magic of photography can be restored. By striking a balance between documenting life and living in the moment, the magic of photography can be restored.

After all, the most important audience for our photos isn’t the public; it’s our future selves.