Photographs. Treasure them, as sometimes they are all we have left as the moment will fade from our memories!

I love taking photos. I find it therapeutic. You can only be in the present moment behind a camera. Life slows down observing what you see with your eyes then trying to capture it through a lens. It is trickier than it looks. I undertook a photography online course and my main takeaway ‘Pause, Take your time’.

We are always in a rush. Snap and go. Onto the next stop.

What would happen if you reframed the experience and realised taking the photo is the experience? It can be a hobby, a joy filled activity which you book a date with.

Last summer I explored the Dutch city of Rotterdam with my camera. You could call it a weekend long date. It’s an incredible city, up there as one of my favourites. A blend of architecture – new and old. Waterways and all the art!

Joy comes from the simple things in life, the things that take you out of your head into the present moment. Make you stop to take a breath as you appreciate life. You smile, not one of those forced smiles….a genuine smile!

When I look back over the photos I captured that weekend, I feel a sense of calm and energy. That to me is Joy! It doesn’t need to be big and flashy. It’s the day to day. Joy is common to us all but also unique to you.

I spot all the aspects of the moment I try to capture, then my mind fills in some of the extra dimensions that you can’t capture on camera. The sounds, smells, and sensations.

How can you experience photo making joy into your life?

Today stop and take one photo, but take your time. Stop and capture the moment. Be so present you can practically step into the scene are you capturing. You have captured it all in your mind and through the lens.

Look at your ‘subject’, the angles, the lines, the textures, the depth. Consider how it makes you feel and what you want to capture. Then make a mindful joy filled memory.

A photograph is the pause button of life. It keeps a moment from running away.