Happy Photography Month. 📷

I asked for an Instax Mini 8 camera for Christmas a few years ago. As a 90s kid, camera film is pretty nostalgic for me and I wanted one of these cameras simply because I thought they were adorable. 

Before this year, I hadn’t used this camera for months because, honestly, the film is kind of expensive in my opinion and it’s more convenient to just use my phone. 

Then, I watched a video from Haley Pham called “I tried taking 100 film photos in 24 hours,” and it made me think about the difference between taking a picture with a film camera and taking one on a phone. 

On your phone, you can take dozens relatively quickly, until you get the one that is just PERFECT. Because you can check each photo immediately, you can judge it right away, and decide if it’s what you want. 

Of course, I don’t immediately delete the ones that I decide aren’t perfect. I don’t know why. It’s not like the pictures are going to change over time. I guess I feel like I might change my mind later, so I just keep them to delete later, and later rarely comes. 

Haley talked about how, with a film camera, you aren’t able to judge the photo until you get the developed prints back later. You just take the photo (maybe two if you feel a little reckless) and move on. 

That’s why old film photos feel so genuine. Like whoever took the picture really saved a moment in time, instead of everyone pausing what they’re doing to take a photo that maybe is supposed to feel spontaneous, but 50 tries later, absolutely isn’t. 

That’s why I splurged a little and bought more film so I can take more film photos this year. 

I adore photography and the beautiful art that a well-planned, well-edited photo can be.

But, film photos let us see that life can be a little goofy, not flawless but still fun, and that’s beautiful, too. 

I hope your day has been and will continue to be as wonderful as you are.

Stay amazing.

With love,

Latoinette