I am sure over the years I have taken a million photos — maybe more. And if you count the images taken by our staff over decades, we’re probably in the multi-million range. Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, a lens through which I see and make sense of the world.
Sometimes photography is purely informational — a way to document, capture, and share. Other times, it is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and create something beautiful. Photography has the power to hold a moment still long enough for us to truly feel it.
Revisiting the Roots
Recently, I had the profound privilege of standing in the original photographers’ darkroom at the Grand Canyon. These early artists began tourist photography decades ago, giving visitors a way to carry a piece of the canyon home. I imagined them carefully developing film, waiting for each image to appear like magic under the red light.
Today, we are all photographers in some way. We capture, create, and share endlessly — and we consume more, too. I recently learned that we now take in five times more information than in the past. It can be exhilarating… and exhausting.
Slowing Down, Creating Again
Years ago, my own photography shifted from joy-seeking to need-based. It became about marketing, documenting, and meeting deadlines rather than exploring life. But lately, I have given myself permission to return to the playfulness of it.
When I pick up a camera (or even just my phone) without an agenda, I feel like I have captured joy again. I am noticing light and shadows, framing the little details, and once again letting myself wonder: What do I want to see? What do I want to share?
It feels good — like reconnecting with an old friend.
From Film to Files
In years past, budgeting for film development was the biggest hurdle. Now, the issue is storage space! Most of my images are for me — private little treasures — though I still share some on my platforms or with friends. And every once in a while, I still print images to hold them in my hands.
For as long as I can recall, I have seen life through a lens. The methods change, the gear evolves, but the heart of it remains.
The Invitation
Photography is, at its best, a way of pausing time. Of reminding ourselves that we are here, now. When I let myself play — when I allow my eye to linger — I find joy waiting there.
May your own way of seeing, whether through photographs or simply through mindful attention, bring you joy too. And may you never stop capturing what matters most to you.
