Photography is often described as a way of capturing moments; a way of preserving what happened so it can be experienced again and again.

But not all photographs are the same.

A snapshot records an event. It shows that something happened. A photograph, on the other hand, interprets it. It reflects how the photographer experienced the moment and what made it significant.

A photograph doesn’t record an event — it records our reaction to it.

Interpretation requires involvement. It asks us to pay attention, to make choices, to decide what matters. Photography becomes more than observation; it becomes a way of engaging directly with the world in front of us.

And it begins with paying attention.

Meaningful Moments Start with Attention

Our lives are made up of seemingly infinite moments. Photography gives us a way to decide which moments are worth remembering. In a sense, it becomes a personal highlight reel, a curated record of what matters most.

The moments we pay attention to are shaped by who we are — our interests, values, and beliefs. Photography doesn’t just capture a scene; it reflects the way we experience the world. There should be a little of ourselves in every photograph we take.

Meaningful moments start with attention. The details we notice anchor the moment and give it significance. Without attention, the world passes us by, and with it, the moments that might have held meaning — the ones truly worth remembering.

The Camera as a Tool for Engagement

Photography isn’t just a way of recording what happens. The camera is a tool for engagement, not just a witness. It gives us a reason to pay attention and notice things we might have missed.

Photography encourages us to seek experiences beyond the everyday. It gets us exploring new places and actively searching for moments worth preserving.

"If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff."
— Jim Richardson

Seeking out moments worth preserving doesn’t just shape the photographs we make; it shapes how we experience the world. Photography can be more than capturing the moments that matter — it can help us create more of them.

Photography Changes the Way We Live

Once you begin to see like a photographer, you can never turn it off. The world begins to present itself differently: you notice things you were blind to before.

Photography becomes a lens through which life is experienced. Every time you step outside holds potential — not just for a photograph, but for a deeper connection with the world beyond your front door.

Over time, this way of seeing changes how you live. Even without a camera in hand, your attention has shifted. You participate in moments more actively, and your life becomes richer because of it.

Photography stops being something you do. It becomes something you are.

Photography isn’t just about capturing what happens; it’s about shaping how we experience the world. It asks us to pay attention, to participate, and to create moments worth remembering. The images we make reflect how we see, what we value, and how we live.

Approach photography this way, and it stops being something you do. It becomes a way of seeing, a way of engaging, a way of being.