Have you ever lived a moment that you wish would last forever? First kisses, a wedding, the birth of a child are all events that create memories that last a lifetime. Photographs are taken to preserve these memories, allowing us to look back on with fondness for years to come.

Over the last 100 years, the use of camera technology has expanded beyond belief. Before only the privileged could afford a camera, which would be big and bulky, now we walk around with crystal clear cameras in our pockets. As cameras have become an everyday item, so too has their usage. No longer is the camera saved for special occasions, pictures are taken on a daily basis as we document our lives.

Social Media

The rise and rise of social media has undoubtedly contributed to a number of photographs that are taken. Instagram, a form of social media where its users share pictures, is the major player in this department, while Facebook and Twitter, both of which incorporate Instagram, are not far behind.

Friends and family use social media to stay connected with each other, and share pictures of events on their social media pages so as users that may be based on the other side of the planet can see. While others may simply scroll past our pictures and turn their nose up at yet another picture of a children’s party, to loved ones that could not make it, or for those that wish to retain those memories, they make up an invaluable piece of memorabilia.

Party Pictures

At a party, there is always someone on photo duty, whether that is someone who owns a professional quality camera or a hired photographer. One trend that has recently been hitting events such as wedding receptions and birthday parties are photo booths that can be hired along with comical props.

These form part of the amusements at a party, encouraging guests to dress up and put on a funny face for the sole purpose of having a laugh. Photo booths are also used to create a pictured guestbook for events, where the hosts can keep an album of who was present at their event. This has proven to be highly popular for weddings.

Everyday Life

As we have already touched upon, we live in a day and age where we take pictures almost every day. Whether those pictures are selfies, photos of our pets or of loved ones, it is not uncommon to find a camera phone consisting of literally thousands of pictures stored upon it. Some will likely never look at, while others capture precious memories and loved ones that won’t be around forever.

A picture that may have just been an off the cuff photo taken of your mum can soon become one of the most precious items in your possession as a token of not just that precise moment in time but to the memory of that person.

Keep Taking Pictures

There are many people that shake their heads at those that constantly take pictures, believing that they should live in the moment, and perhaps they have a point. How can you re-live a memory that you never truly lived in the first place?

Regardless, pictures are often the one thing we have to look back on and offer us comfort when we are grieving a loss. When you stop and think that one split second in time will live forever, that is something pretty amazing that can easily be overlooked when you think of the significance of the invention back in the 1800s.