Take the picture: Your camera roll is a case study in ‘memento mori’

As a content creator and social media manager, I quite frequently find myself inspired online and simultaneously afraid of the lack of privacy and superficiality that social media lauds as normal. Some days, I feel like a digital anthropologist discovering wonderful ideas and raw insight about what makes people tick. Other days, I am frustrated by how much I’m online. The part of my job that I’m most grateful for is being able to document the best of the human experience. I’ve learned that taking photos is an expression of creativity, gratitude, and a reminder that nothing lasts forever on Earth. 

Photography as gratitude 

As counterintuitive as it may seem, my work in social media has helped me see my own world through a healthier and more creative lens. Working in social media made me realize that everyday life provides opportunities for great beauty, no matter how seemingly insignificant. I take mandatory and long breaks from my phone after work. By taking time to unplug, I’ve become more conscious of what sparks my creativity organically. I can tell the difference between taking a photo to remember and interact with beauty in real time versus letting my life be ruled by getting the perfect shot.

In my personal life, I take photos to commemorate and document memories, people, and places that brought me joy and sparked my interest. Taking time and space away from screens gives me fresh eyes to encounter a foretaste of Heaven and the simple goodness of God revealed in fresh flowers pressing against one another or light casting shadows against a brick building wrapped in ivy.

Over time, taking photos became less about herd-mentality-driven selfies, curated Christmas cards, and stressing out about the perfect golden hour angle for me. Photography isn’t about pretending we live in a perfect simulation of reality, but rather capturing a moment in time. 

I’m particularly proud of one photo album that catalogues my college years. It was a thrifted birthday gift that I filled with photos that are far from Instagram-worthy. I love seeing the smiles, good quality family time, and trips I’ve taken, as reminders of how blessed and truly good my life is. Whenever I doubt I have a loving God, I page through and see all He has done.

Capture moments with a ‘memento mori’ mindset

As Catholics, we embrace the Latin phrase Memento mori —“remember you must die” — reminding us that this life eventually does end. This world is passing away, and no matter how many photos you capture, you cannot take them with you. Memento mori is a richer approach to the YOLO mentality that justifies all sorts of choices because “you only live once.” As Christians, we aren’t trying to live, or photograph, our life on Earth for its own sake or in pursuit of perfect pleasure, success, and comfort. Instead, this life offers the opportunity to know, love, and serve God to the best of our ability and ultimately, determine our choice for eternity. And when we do that, we find ourselves fully alive. And frankly, the fully alive type of life is the one that shines most powerfully through the camera. That’s the kind of raw, beautiful soul stuff I want to document, share with friends and family, and always remember. 

Honoring God and His creation, building your creativity, and remembering to live in the present is only the precursor to good photography. Now, you can decide what tools to use to capture these moments! 

Analog camera options that are Gen Z approved 

• Disposable camera: I highly recommend buying a disposable camera if you seek to achieve that memento mori mindset. With a Fujifilm disposable camera you cannot see the outcome, which helps in surrendering what you look like or taking photos to no end. I love using disposables to document my summers because it helps me live in the present moment and it’s such a fun surprise to see the photos when they finally develop!
• Digital camera: Another fun alternative to keep the old school film aesthetic alive is the Kodak PixPro FZ55. This one serves the same purpose as a disposable camera, but has a screen to review photos in the moment. Unlike a traditional disposable camera, these photos can be uploaded digitally with the help of a charging cable, SD card, or flash drive that connects to your computer, phone, etc. 
• Phone camera: I know this is controversial, but the smartphone is going to be your best friend. I actually recommend forgoing the traditional camera altogether for on-the-go moments. The best moments often happen unstaged, and it’s sometimes even more fun to find beauty when you least expect it. Your smartphone is usually on your person and makes it easy to capture memories in HD with just one click. 

A social media manager’s tips for a perfect photo 

These are some quick and easy tips for creating photos that capture the moment and bring you back to it even years later. These tips are based on an iPhone’s settings, but apply to other smartphones. 

1. Go into settings and add the grid lines to your camera app. This allows you to proportion your photos using the rule of thirds. Always position the person in the bottom two-thirds of the frame.
2. Try using portrait mode with the natural light setting on. This will make your photos look like you took them with a professional camera without the hassle of grabbing a flash and reflector.
3. Never underestimate the crop. Zooming in just a little can change the proportions of any photo and create more depth in the frame. Try zooming in on x2 for a nice face shot. Always play around with the zoom before clicking the picture.
4. Want higher quality, cinematic photos and videos? Make sure you’re shooting 4K at 24fps when recording in cinematic mode. If you want to save storage without compromising the resolution, try filming at 1080 at 30fps. 
5. If you become frustrated with how you look in photos, it’s probably because you have high expectations and poor planning. When you know pictures are likely to be taken, make sure you wear something you feel confident in or have your makeup done. The forethought to a great photo sometimes requires staging and playing around until it looks like your vision. Don’t be afraid to get creative! 
6. Skip the photo; take a video. This can be the most fun way to capture live memories. For a home video style, place your phone in cinematic mode and film horizontally. Want that perfect posed photo? Take a video as you take your time getting into each pose, and then take a screenshot for a perfect photo. 

Live in the present and embrace what is good, true, and beautiful

Documenting a beautiful moment doesn’t automatically make you superficial. The trouble begins not when we reach for the camera, but when capturing the moment becomes more important than living it. Through the ordinary and extraordinary alike, creation offers us glimpses of its Creator and, in the creative process itself, a little foretaste of Heaven.