Snapshots. Ugh. The word makes us cringe. When I Googled the definition, Miriam-Webster defined a snapshot as “a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera”. Dictionary.com says “an informal photograph, especially one taken quickly by a handheld camera.”

snapshot, handheld camera, front porch, photography, Doggy Love

Serious Photographer

Like most serious photographers, I am always working to make my images better — sharper, better composed, better lit, with a unique impact that touches the heart and soul. I’m proud of the work that I put into my images and hope that my passion for excellence never dies.

I know very well that the photos in this blog post are not going to impress anyone. It’s a little scary to put such “poor work” out there into a readership of photographers. (Trust me… I do much better work as well!)

However, I have been reminding myself lately to take more snapshots. I’m planning a trip to the east coast and am, of course, reading up on lots things… coastal photography, Milky Way shots, etc etc etc.

Picnic, lobster stand, snapshot, handheld camera, coastal photography

Traveling or Art

But what about life? This is the dream trip of a lifetime for me and my husband. Neither of us have ever had the luxury of a month-long trip anywhere before. We are not so young anymore, but we are still “newlyweds” after 4 years and we want to create memories, as well just images. Both matter.

Snapshots: Not Always Sloppy

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not advocating ditching all our knowledge, technique, and experience in favor of just shooting away any old way. I will still think about composition, focus, exposure, etc. How could I not? But I need to set aside my usual meticulous ways and be a bit more spontaneous. A lighter, more carefree approach.

bar quote, dont serve women, bring your own, Funny Sign

I am certainly looking forward to making some wonderful images of a quality that I can enter in competitions and sell on canvas. (The first week will be spent in a photography workshop.)

But I sure don’t want to become so caught up in photography that I miss out on taking mindful moments to just experience things together with my beloved. Quick snapshots will help me preserve the precious memories we’ll be creating.

Where the Rubber Hits the Road

I was widowed nine years ago. When my then husband, John, was admitted to hospital with inoperable, terminal cancer, I was devastated. I wanted to do everything I possibly could to ease his passage. So what did I do? I zipped home and whipped through photos to choose some to put up on the hospital room wall where he could see them.

Friends and Snapshots, snapshot, hospital, photography, handheld camera, precious moments

How many of my “fine art” images do you think made the cull? That’s right… not one. The photos that enriched his last days on Earth were, for the most part, snapshots.

The two of us in a candid moment on our wedding day. Vacation snaps of funny signs, memorable picnic lunches, and him sitting on the step with our Great Pyrenees puppy.

A couple of dozen snapshots to remind him of all the joy we shared over twenty-three years. And I took some snapshots during his final journey to preserve those painful yet precious times as well.

Last Days, snapshot, hospital, photography, handheld camera, toy gifts

Changing My Ways

So folks, I don’t know about you, but I plan to take more snapshots. I’ve worked very hard on my photography the last couple of years. And yes, it’s a thrill to win competitions, sell canvasses, and have one of my images chosen for a national magazine.

But I want to keep things in perspective. When I’m lying on my deathbed, those are not the things that will matter. I will want my snapshots, my memory shots, I’m sure.

So whether Merriam-Webster approves or not, with their “a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera”, this pro intends to get a bit more casual in certain situations.

Fun Times with Friends, snapshot, photography, handheld camera, santa fun

Still Serious

Does that make me a less serious photographer? I don’t think so. It’s in my nature to strive for excellence. I don’t see that changing.

I’ve already let my new(ish) husband know that when I die, I want him to have canvas prints of my very best work ready to give away to everyone who comes to my funeral. I want that beauty and all my hard work to live on.

Of course I do. I’ll never stop trying to make better and better images. I’m just reminding myself to not miss the snapshots along the way. The image quality may not be golden, but the memories are.

Sailing in New Zealand, sailing, new zealand, vacation snaps, photography, snapshot, handheld camera, ocean photography


Judy Hancock Holland is a fine art photographer based in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. You can see her “serious photography” work at JHHphoto.com and at Flickr.com/photos/JudyNanaimo, as well as in her earlier guest posts here, “Photography as a Spiritual Path” and “Photo Mandalas”. Watch for her image, “Voluptueux” in an upcoming issue of PHOTONews Canada.

21 Comments

  1. Gordon Lee September 14, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    What a wonderful story!

    I’m sure many of us have forgotten that photographic “memories” can have higher value than photographic technical excellence!

  2. Cameron Mitchell September 14, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    A lovely article Judy and something we all need to keep in mind.

  3. Win September 14, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    This is a great reminder. While I love my photos that are “beautiful” it is the photo albums of life that are the real treasures.

  4. Ryan Berkaw September 14, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Thanks Judy! This is something easily forgotten as we focus on “Our Photography”. My wife has recently been pointing out I’m not taking enough pics of the kids simply living life. I know I need to get back to taking more snapshots of our real lives with the kids.

  5. Jim Ruse September 14, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Very powerful message. Thanks, Judy, for giving us all moment of pause.

  6. Pierre September 14, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    That’s a lovely post; thank you. The work on your site is also great, but this post reminds me that the Sony RX-100 is just as valuable in its own way as the bag full of Canon bodies and lenses. I gotta take the Sony with me more often.

  7. Suzanna Diebes September 14, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Judy, there have been many times I feel like I’m in a “slump” and wait for my next trip to get my camera out to capture those “great shots”. This article reminds me that the great shots surround me every day. Thank you for sharing these private pieces of fine art.

  8. John Wilson September 14, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    Thank you for writing this. While not as “professional” as you, i do spend too much time thinking of composition and technique than snapping pics of family. Several people have told me that they don’t like their pictures taken, but guess what? Get over it, because I am going to do it more often from now on!

  9. Lana September 14, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    I agree even if I do not have a lot of photography skill.
    My family took very few pictures when I was growing up. As a result I have one poor copy of a picture of one grandmother and two of the other.I have one picture of one grandfather.You get the idea.
    Two years ago I attended a wedding. The bride got a lot of lovely posed pictures from her photographer and a hundred casual shots from me,from the reception,outside the church,of the beautiful reception hall etc.I downloaded them to an electronic picture frame for her. It included her shower,wedding and pictures of their new house a year later.
    My sister-in-law has a lovely ,large garden.I have taken a year’s worth of pictures and will be downloading them to a picture frame after I have edited them.
    I always carry my small,point and shoot camera with me.People ask me to take pictures of them at an event.
    I do not carry an iPhone or cell phone as I dislike phones.My camera is all I need.

  10. Denis O'Byrne September 14, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    A very good piece of work. Well done.

  11. andrew farquhar September 14, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    Great article!
    Every “serious” photographer (including pros) should read it

  12. Cindy Harden AKA DrafonflyNYC September 14, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    Thanks Judy , A much needed article to keep your feet grounded. I get so caught up in trying to improve my technique that you loose the simple shots of life. your story was heart felt and inspiring to me. I am still an amateur and I have to much to learn but this messages will help allow me to just be first. :-)

  13. Karen Filo September 14, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    Well said! I’m a travel photographer/blogger and when I’m out as a ‘traveller’ or with family and friends in a social situation, the ‘good’ camera stays behind and the ‘day to day’ camera comes out! There’s a place for fine art and there’s a place for memories … on our walls, in our hearts, not to mention in our memories!!!

  14. Ian September 14, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    Lovely article Judy and one of the reasons I always carry my Sony compact camera with me – and my family now think I’m ill if I don’t take a couple of shots whenever we’re together!

  15. Jim Hope September 14, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    How fantastic a bring back to life your article is! There are too much on competition for competition’s sake & not enough on personality choices in this game.

  16. Paul September 15, 2016 at 12:17 am

    I teach photography in high school and while I always want my students to take great and inspirational photos, the first few days are spent taking snaps as students get to know the camera, learn exposure and have fun learning about photography.

  17. Kim Peck September 15, 2016 at 8:07 pm

    “In Praise of Snapshots ” hit home…. June 19, 2011 was father’s day. I took a snapshot of my husband and 3 grown children, Devin 36, Christopher 34, and Melissa 30. Two days later our son Christopher was killed in a car accident. … That snapshot is the most important picture I have.

    Kim Peck

  18. Eldie Marshall September 15, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    I also live on Vancouver Island in Victoria. I very much enjoyed the article. I love taking photos but I remember once a few years back when a “professional” photographer reminded me when I was struggling with white balance, composition etc. that your best photos are in your memory. How true that is.

  19. Ron September 18, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Hi Suzanna, Take that camera out from its hiding place and take it with you always. You will find so many shots and grow to love photography more

  20. Ron September 18, 2016 at 6:13 am

    Judy, This is an important thing we should all remember as every one else has said. Thankyou for a great article.

  21. Frank Villafane September 19, 2016 at 2:20 am

    Hi Judy,

    Thank you for sharing this very poignant article. I am with you 100%…as professionals we need to remember that just capturing the “meaningful” moments of our lives are just as important as our deliberate compositions.

    I am reminded that I have 3 granddaughters and I need to capture their youth while I can. I often wish I had discovered photography sooner, then I would have more images of my children in their formative years.

    Thank you for giving us a fresh perspective…

    Frank V.

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