I’m just going to say it, even if it hurts some feelings: I miss the way we used to take pictures.

Before social media, taking a photo was about capturing a memory. Remember when film was the only option? You only had 24 or 36 shots, so the moment actually had to be worth it. There was a cost involved, and you couldn't even see the results for days. I remember that nervous excitement of picking up the envelope from the developer. Those photos ended up in albums—tangible, amateur, and deeply valuable.

Now? Taking photos is a headache.

I’ve realized I actually hate being the "designated photographer" for friends. It’s never just one photo; it’s a full-on photoshoot for the "perfect" post. "Get my good angle," "Make me look taller," "Hide the bus station in the background." It’s boring, it’s exhausting, and I’m not a professional.

And what about the obsession of taking photos of dinner tables??

We’ve all been there: the waiter brings out a beautiful plate, and before anyone can pick up a fork, someone shouts, "Wait! Nobody touch anything yet!" Suddenly, your hot meal is getting cold while your friend stands on their chair to find the perfect lighting for a photo of their salad. I honestly don't get the big deal. It’s just a cappuccino, not a lost piece of Renaissance art. Sure, modern chefs put effort into decoration, but at the end of the day, it's meant to be eaten, not published

As technology moves forward, AI will surely change how we create memories even further. Digital photography has incredible advantages, but it comes at a price: digital noise.

​We have thousands of photos sitting in the cloud or on hard drives that we never actually look at. We have more "content" than ever, yet I often feel like I have zero memories. We are drowning in files but starving for nostalgia.

​Maybe it’s time we get back to the real reason for taking a photo. Before you do thousands of clicks, ask yourself: Is this a memory I want to live again, or just a post I want to share? Let’s try to be more intentional. Let’s take fewer photos and live more life. I’d rather have five photos that make me feel something than five thousand that just take up space.