Summary

The website content discusses how intentional photography can help individuals live in the moment and find greater purpose in their activities.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the importance of finding purpose in daily activities, particularly through the lens of photography. It suggests that by setting a clear intention before taking a photo, such as capturing a memory, a feeling, or a narrative, one can enhance the meaningfulness of the moment and the resulting image. The process involves asking oneself questions about the purpose of the photo, the desired meaning, and how it fits into a larger story. This approach encourages photographers to be more mindful and to create a narrative with their photos, whether it's a simple selfie or a travel snapshot. By doing so, the act of taking photos becomes a reflective practice that can lead to a deeper understanding of one's motivations and place in the world.

Opinions

The author believes that the purpose behind taking a photo is more important than the aesthetic outcome.
Photography can be a tool for self-reflection and understanding one's life narrative.
The process of capturing a moment through photography should be intentional and thoughtful to truly live in the moment.
Taking photos with a clear purpose can lead to greater life satisfaction and fulfillment.
The article suggests that even mundane acts like taking a selfie can be transformed into a meaningful activity when approached with intention.
The author posits that being purposeful in photography forces one to notice and appreciate details that might otherwise be overlooked.
The narrative created through intentional photography helps to document not just what is seen, but also the feelings and motivations behind the moment.

Living in the moment | Finding purpose | Photography

How Your Photos Can Allow You to Live in The Moment More

Find purpose in what you do

INTRODUCTION

We can all agree that finding purpose in life, in the things that we do, always results in a higher level of satisfaction and greater fulfillment. Picture-taking, a hobby for some and a profession for others, can be used to this end.

FINDING PURPOSE MEANS FINDING MEANING

To find purpose in what you do you must first decide what it means to you. What are your reasons or motivations for doing something? Now, whether they are intrinsic or extrinsic doesn’t matter so much. the important thing is to identify them. Doing so will help you assign meaning to your actions and efforts.

In the next section, you will find out exactly how this concept can be applied to taking photos.

READY… AIM… NOT YET

Let’s begin with an example taken from your daily life. You just finished getting ready to go out with friends and you want to take a selfie. Most people will look for their “best angle” and shoot a few pictures, perhaps beautifying them through the app on their phone — if that’s not already done automatically — then save their favorite one or post it to social media. And, finally, delete the rest of the evidence.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the process that I’ve described above, but if the person’s goal was to live in the moment and find purpose in taking a selfie in this way, then they have failed to do that.

Let’s take the same simplistic selfie example and see how to do it properly…

STEP #1: FIND YOUR ANGLE… AIM… SHOOT FOR A MEANING

Ask yourself what your purpose is for taking the selfie. Q1. Is it to…

… capture a small moment in your lifetime?

… remember where you are about to go?

… remember who you are about to spend time with?

… create a quality visual to market something on your social media?

… etc.

Q2. What meaning do you want to associate with this picture when you look at it in the future? Will it stand alone or be part of a larger theme?

Q3. What name (title) will you assign to this photo to help you with organizing it?

Let your answers to those questions guide you on how you set up for your shot, what you choose to show — or not — whether you need to have a date and timestamp displayed, etc.

STEP #2: ANALYZE YOUR RESULT

Q4. Did you achieve the desired outcome? If no, then try again.

If yes, then Q5. Do you want to take one or more additional photos to expand on the story you are creating and capturing at this moment?

[OPTIONAL STEP #3: FIND YOUR ANGLE… AIM… SHOOT TO EXPAND YOUR STORY]

As you can see, what you’re trying to do here is to develop a meaningful and memorable narrative for the pictures you take. And this is best done by being more purposeful and paying attention to the details of each of these “scenes” from your life.

A TRAVEL-SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

Let’s transpose this process to a travel situation. The “scene” can be anywhere. Perhaps you’re alone, with someone, or a group of people, and there may be locals around you, too.

All of the questions that surround you from the first example still apply, but this time you must incorporate your new surroundings in your story as well. And when you start to set up your shots with more intent you will be forced to notice details that you would have otherwise likely missed.

Q. Whose story are you capturing? Yours, or theirs?

Q. Whose motivations are you finding?

Q. What do the current circumstances mean to you? To them?

Q. Is someone taking your photo? If so, then what do you think their purpose is?

Photo by **Magda Ehlers** from **Pexels**

CONCLUSION

As you practice this approach to picture-taking you will become a more astute student of life. And these additional details you notice will enable you to form a better understanding of what drives you to do what you do and where you fit in the situations that are playing out around you.

And that’s how living in the moment through your photos can help you to find purpose in what you do.

All the best,

Pascal

PS: You can read more about me here.