Taking photos has a special place in my heart. As long as I have had an iPhone, all I have wanted to do is document every waking moment and memory. Perhaps it stems from the fact that I have no baby photos or the fact that I am in a generation where taking photos equates to being fulfilled: who knows? I just enjoy it.
Recently, I have made highlight reels on my Instagram from each year at college and of other moments I could categorize. It helps me relax when I am stressed to go through my memories and it reminds me of the beautiful life I have created for myself, especially in times when I forget how good life has been.
Admittedly, I used to love taking photos solely so people could think I was having a fun time or living a seemingly perfect life. That all changed during COVID-19. Now, it is easy for me to tell apart my genuine happy photos from my “just smiling for the camera” photos.
At Furman, you were basically shunned if you posted a photo with someone you didn’t live with during the height of the pandemic. Understandably so, we wanted to limit the spread of COVID and so, I didn’t take photos with friends often.
While Furman’s rule served a singular purpose, it also served a personal one for me: I no longer could take photos with groups of people I saw at a function or plan photoshoots with a bunch of friends. I just had to live life and savor pictures for my phone.
This brought a new sense of joy for me. I began to focus more so on capturing photos that made me feel happy, rather than capturing photos that made me “look” happy to others. This meant more photos of nature, views, and my dog, less of myself forcing photos with friends. It brought a new mindset: taking photos for my enjoyment and my enjoyment only; to capture moments I want to remember rather than for the “aesthetic.”
Present day, you can find me posting pictures and stories a lot. Some photos look cute, some photos are chaotic. Some days I post a lot of stories, some none at all. It’s whatever I’m feeling, and I have found great joy in doing it. The beauty of what my Instagram and photos have turned into is that it is a lot more authentic to me, and a lot less to please the visions of others.
For others wanting to do the same, strip back the reason why you take or post certain photos. If it is for anyone but yourself, don’t do it. Otherwise, go wild. Let your creativity go free, and don’t censor yourself at the expense of other people’s opinions. Life is beautiful, and sometimes it’s hard to remember that when you are going through the motions.