Why You Should Take More Photos in Middle Age

Seeing a 20-year-old photo of me in a ladybug Halloween costume made me realize something: I don't take pictures nearly often enough. Is my life that boring that I never feel the need to capture a moment?

Curious, I opened my phone and scrolled through the pictures I’d taken over the past year. I felt giddy seeing snapshots of babies I’ve delivered. I laughed out loud at photos of my diva dogs. But then I saw a photo of a parking lot number—and low-key panicked, wondering if I was starting to become forgetful.

Friends my age often joke about forgetting where they put their car keys or searching for glasses that are already perched on top of their heads. But secretly, I don’t find it funny. My late grandmother had dementia. Imagine not being able to remember your past—or worse, who you are. It’s why I actively try to engage my brain with activities that lower that risk, like writing. We all know music and certain scents can instantly unlock old memories. But looking through my phone, I realized photos do the exact same thing, even the blurry ones.

In a world obsessed with online influencers, we feel so much pressure to curate a pristine grid. We forget that photographs are actually for us. They are private anchors—reminders of a happy afternoon, an unexpected trip, awkward but funny moments, and the faces of people we miss.

Here are 4 tips on taking pictures without feeling like a tourist in your own life:

1. Capture the Mundane, Not Just the Milestones

I once took a photo of my feet while walking because I liked my new shoes. Every time I look at that photo, I can feel the soft breeze, the scorching sun reflecting off the asphalt, and the nervous excitement I felt walking toward the door for my first major business pitch. Don't wait for big vacations, birthdays, or milestone celebrations. Snap a picture of your meal, or take a random selfie at a street corner. You’ll be amazed at how those ordinary snapshots anchor extraordinary memories.

2. Let Go of Perfection

Stop stressing over camera settings, aspect ratios, dramatic poses, or perfect lighting. The pictures you're taking are for you, not an online brand. We all have those awkward, vintage "auntie pose" photos from decades past, and yet we cherish them because of the memories attached. Embrace the blurry, imperfect shots.

3. Organize for Nostalgia

Keep a dedicated folder on your device—or print out physical copies—of the pictures that bring you pure joy so you can look at them often. When you regularly reflect on photos that make you smile, gratitude naturally follows. Honestly? A "Gratitude Board" is the most effective Vision Board you'll ever own.

4. Focus on the Feeling

Some people love photographing every plate of food that hits the table; for me, the snapshot of the table is just a trigger for the laughter and connection we shared over the meal. Don't worry about whether your hair looks like a bird's nest or if your second chin is showing in a group selfie. Stop obsessing over technical perfection and focus entirely on capturing the mood.

In our youth, we had trusty film cameras. We carefully chose our poses because every roll was limited to 24 or 36 shots, and we had no idea how the pictures turned out until we finally picked them up from the developer. And yet, we laughed—happily embarrassed by the terrible angles or secretly proud when we looked good.

Today, we carry devices in our pockets that let us snap unlimited photos. So why do we hesitate? Why do we freeze, worrying that a shot might not turn out "good enough"?

We aren't taking photos for a magazine cover. We are documenting the ordinary days and the breathtaking moments of our real lives. The best photos are often the imperfect ones—the ones captured while we were too busy actually enjoying the moment to pose.

So put down the overthinking, and take more pictures.

Now over to you: Do you miss the days of waiting for film to develop, or are you guilty of overthinking your phone photos like I am?