Over labor day weekend I traveled to chicago with a friend and fellow photographer. We explored the city and talked endlessly about the past and present. One subject in particular struck me and still plays over in my head. As a photographer when do you put down the camera and just be in the moment? My mind is constantly constructing shots. Wanting to reach for my camera so I can forever remember the way his shirt complimented the wall of wine in the background during brunch. Or the way light falls through the window in my living room. Or even the way my grandmother’s hands move when she talks about baking. But in adoring and obsessing over these moments I’m taken out of the actual experience. Not to mention you’re never in the moments you’re capturing. Weeks and months later you have tons of pictures but you’re not in a single shot. Having the memories means the world to me but is that more important than giving whomever I’m with my undivided attention? But as a photographer what happens when you don’t have any images to look back on? Disappointment and a feeling of lose surely ensue when there isn’t much to “show”. Maybe this is one of those conflicting feelings that never goes away. Lately I’ve walked away from parties, dinners and trips with a full heart but very few images. The memories will always make me smile but I can’t help but wish I’d taken more photos. BUT I can say I’m living in the moment more often than not. And I’m ok with that…..