A Love Affair with Capturing Moments

There's something fun about freezing a moment in time. A split second, preserved forever. That's what drew me to photography and why I always try to have a camera within reach.

How It All Began

Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents were really big about documenting our childhoods through photos and videos. My dad always had his camcorder ready to capture everything – trips to the zoo, days at amusement parks, family dinners, weddings, and even just everyday moments around the house.

Those dozens of family photo albums have become treasures. There's something special about occasionally gathering as a family to flip through them, laughing at old hairstyles and reliving those moments of nostalgia together.

I guess my own interest in photography was a natural extension of growing up in that environment. Two of my cameras actually belonged to my dad originally. The Canon Super Prima 135 film camera is nearly 25 years old but still works beautifully. The Sony DSC-S800 digital camera was also his before I adopted it. There's something meaningful about carrying on this family tradition of capturing moments.

My Camera Collection

I've collected a few cameras over the years – nothing too fancy, just tools for my hobby. My current lineup includes:

• Sony a6400 for when I'm feeling a bit more serious
• Sony DSC-S800 that I've had forever
• Canon Super Prima 135 that gives me those nostalgic film vibes
• And of course, my iPhone 13 for those spontaneous moments

For me, it's just about having a camera handy when I want to capture something – a sunset, friends laughing, an interesting building, or even just my coffee because, well, why not?

It's About Memories

To me, photography is about memories.

It's about holding onto a moment so I can revisit it later – myself, with friends, with family, or even with my kids someday. The photos that mean the most to me are often the ones that capture genuine moments and real emotions, rather than perfectly staged scenes.

When I look back at images I've snapped over the years, even the blurry ones bring back clear memories. The slightly off-center family photo still captures everyone's smile. The poorly lit concert shot still reminds me how amazing that show was.

Always Having a Camera Handy

One thing friends tease me about is how I always have some sort of camera with me. Whether it's my Sony tucked into my bag or just my iPhone in my pocket, I like being ready when those "I should take a picture of this" moments pop up.

Sometimes I'll be walking down a street I've walked a hundred times before, and suddenly the light hits a building just right or a dog does something funny, and I'm glad I can capture it. No planning, no setup – just spontaneous photos that make me smile.

Sharing With Others

When I share photos with friends or family (or occasionally on this blog), it's about sharing experiences and moments. "Remember when we were there?" or "Look at how much fun we had that day!"

Some of my most cherished photos are candid shots of friends laughing, quick snapshots of beautiful sunsets, or random street scenes that captured my attention. These photos might not mean much to others, but they hold stories and memories that matter to me and the people in them.

Continuing a Family Tradition

I don't have grand photography goals or aspirations to turn pro. But I do have a deeper appreciation for what my parents did in documenting our family history. Those albums and old camcorder tapes are priceless to us now.

In a way, I'm carrying on what my parents started. Maybe someday I'll be showing my own kids photos that I've taken, just like my parents did with me. Maybe we'll flip through digital albums instead of physical ones, laughing at how outdated everything looks.

What I do know is that I'll keep taking photos, capturing little moments that catch my eye. These images become the threads that stitch together the story of a life. And just like those family albums from my childhood, they'll only grow more valuable with time.

Do you have a casual hobby that brings you joy without the pressure of perfection?