Why You Should Take More Photographs 12 min read

I’m a beginner photographer, albeit obsessed.

At the time of writing, I don’t yet own a camera, but that hasn’t stopped me from copiously ingesting photography content and consistently regurgitating them on my WhatsApp status. I probably spend more time sharing striking photographs and photography memes than I do taking actual pictures, which sometimes makes me feel like a big mouth with little to show for it.

But I can’t stop. Like I said, I’m obsessed.

Photography has a grip on me. I have taken some decent photographs and edited a ton for busy pro-photographers, building for myself a decent portfolio.  

However, I genuinely believe photography is not just a creative outlet or money making venture—it’s essential for personal growth and even survival. But until now, I never thought of it like that.

Common Misconception About Photography 

When I was much younger (and much dumber), I hated taking photographs. If you flip through all my childhood photos, I guarantee you’ll catch me frowning in at least 99% of them. I also believed photographers were probably just people who couldn’t land a “real” job and settled for something easy and available. Pretty dumb of me, I know.

But not just me, a lot of people still have skewed ideas about photography and photographers even in 2024. You’ve probably heard—or maybe even believe—things like:

• Photography isn’t a ‘real’ career.
• Photography is dead because of AI.
• If it’s not viral, it’s not good photography.
• Photographers are expensive for no reason.
• Photographers are overpaid for taking pictures.
• There’s no future in photography; it’s oversaturated.
• Anyone can do it; there’s nothing special about photography.
• Photographers don’t work hard; they just show up and shoot.
• You’re not a photographer unless you shoot weddings or events.

Etcetera.

Sometimes, this misconception appears more logical and practical. You may think taking photos is just a vanity project. “If you’re having such a great time, why pause to take pictures? Shouldn’t you be living in the moment instead of flexing for Instagram?” they say. I said it too, but I don’t fully believe in that ideology anymore. It’s easy to dismiss photography as a shallow pursuit—just a way to show off your vacations, your outfit, or how perfect your life is (even when it isn’t). 

Maybe you—or someone you know—had a personal experience that shaped some of these beliefs. Or perhaps it’s just a lack of understanding about what photography really is and what photographers actually do.

Let me tell you another story. It might just change the way you see photography forever.

How One Photograph Can Change Everything

In one of my endless scrolling on the internet for inspiration, I stumbled upon a photographer called Lee Jeffries.

Lee Jeffries wasn’t always a full time photographer. He was once an accountant—a career built on precision, logic, and numbers. But in the evenings after work and on weekends, he would pick up his camera and head out for something more creative, empathetic and compassionate. Though his early work focused on sports events, everything changed in 2008.

While visiting London, Jeffries photographed a homeless woman from a distance, treating her as just another subject in the scenery. When she noticed him, her reaction—what he described as disapproval. He felt a wave of guilt and decided to approach her, apologise, and strike up a conversation. By the end of their talk, she agreed to let him take more photos.

That interaction profoundly affected Jeffries, opening his eyes to the power of human connection and the struggles he had never had firsthandly. This experience inspired him to focus his photography to portraying the dignity, strength, and vulnerability of those often ignored by society. He now forms genuine connections with his subjects, often spending time talking and learning their stories before photographing them. 

His personal projects in photography  show life as it really is—raw, complicated, and multifaceted. Using black and white photos he draws attention to every expression, wrinkle, and scar; but he also adds a catch light to the eyes to show hope, strength and healing. tell stories of struggle and survival. His photographs aren’t fancy—they’re honest, powerful, and full of emotion.

For Jeffries, photography is more than just art—it’s a way to create awareness, inspire empathy and drive compassion. In his Portraits of the Homeless project, he highlights the struggles of those living on the streets, encouraging people to take action and help. He also donates much of what he earns from the project to charities that provide food, shelter, and support for the homeless.

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Photographs have the power to make a real impact on the world.

And it can also have a significant impact on you—on your inner being. 

Why Your Photos Matter More Than You Think

Cameras are the closest thing we have to a time machine.

They also serve as a window to view the world inwardly. If others resonate with your photos, that’s a bonus—but it’s not the main reason to take them. 

So here is why taking photographs is good for you…

Photography Preserves Your Experience

Social media filters and photo-editing apps have led many to believe that photography is simply about snapping pretty pictures of yourself and then editing it to the point even your own mother wouldn’t recognise you. Every day, millions of people spend several minutes adjusting their jawline or smoothing out wrinkles that aren’t even there. It’s wild.

Yet, your best photos aren’t always the flawless ones; they’re the ones that feel honest—the ones that show who you truly are, where you’ve been, and what you’ve experienced. 

Years from now, it won’t be the posed, edited shots that matter most, but the story – what caused the messy hair, the genuine smiles, and the food stains on your teeth. Raw, honest, unfiltered photos like these remind you of what life was really like.

Our world is filled with countless photographs taken by countless people. Many of those images might not matter to you or the world at large, but they matter to someone, often to the photographer who captured moments they thought were worth saving and telling.

And that’s why you should take more photographs. Because you have a unique story to tell, pain shaped by their own experiences, and joys within their struggles. Your life is unlike anyone else’s, and your photographs are a way of saying, “This is how I see the world.”

You don’t need to be a famous photographer like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange or Kelechi Amadi for your photos to have value. What matters is that they mean something to you. It could be a snapshot of your backyard, your neighbourhood, or a Christmas gathering—moments that, in the grand scheme, might seem insignificant but are priceless to you and your loved ones.

The real beauty of photography is how it connects you to yourself and others. Even if your pictures stay on your phone or in a drawer, they hold memories that might otherwise fade. Years from now, someone—a child, grandchild, or even a stranger –- might see them and get a glimpse of who you were, how you lived, and what mattered to you.

Photography Help You Grow as a Person

Photography isn’t just about keeping memories—it’s about what taking pictures does for you. It changes how you see the world. Suddenly, you notice the little things—a shadow on a wall, light streaming through blinds, the warmth of a smile, or the beauty of a sunset. It makes you slow down, live in the moment, and appreciate life’s small details—or, in some cases, the bigger ones, like photographing for social change.

The only challenge is learning how to turn your unique perspective into your photographs because it’s about capturing how you feel.

Love, hate, joy or pain aren’t tangible objects. However, they are feelings you can describe and show.

For instance, at a family holiday, don’t just take pictures of the food on the table or the fancy dresses. Try to focus your lens on the laughter, the quiet moments, the way people interact while thinking about the love and connection in the room.

The same applies to landscapes. It’s how the scenery opens up to you—the peace of the forest, the awe of the mountains, or the thrill of discovering something new.

The goal isn’t just to record the scene or picture perfect but to communicate the emotion it stirs in you.

Photography Preserves Your Identity

At Magnumphotos.com you can find a treasure trove of cultural and historical photographs—emotional, awe-inspiring, and thought-provoking. It’s one of my favourite sites to visit. But I couldn’t find photographs about Africa. Their gallery seems to be dominated by images from Europe and America. Maybe there are valid reasons for that, but it still leaves me wondering.

Either way, imagine a hypothetical scenario where everyone loses their memories, and the only remnants of history are photographs on the internet. How much could Africans salvage about themselves from what’s available online?

Photography is more powerful when storytellers are also the characters in the pictures. By telling our stories, we don’t just document our lives—we protect our identity and ensure the future remembers us.

It is also a shield against cultural erasure. Each snapshot is an act of preservation, ensuring that no story is lost. Indigenous communities and forgotten histories come alive through the lens, protecting cultures from being wiped away. This is the central theme of Jimmy Nelson’s photography. He is known for his portraits of tribal and indigenous peoples.

When we see the world through someone else’s perspective, we may grow in empathy, but through ours, we grow affinity.

However, this digital world we rely on is fragile. Files get corrupted. Technology becomes obsolete. Even photo prints, no matter how pristine, will eventually fade. It’s a bit unsettling, isn’t it? All these efforts to preserve stories, and still, time tries to erase them.

Yet, that’s not a reason to give up. It’s a call to act. To adapt. By using tools like cloud storage, creating backups, and supporting cultural preservation projects, we can outsmart time or at least try to delay it. And while we’re at it, we should remember—this isn’t just about the future.

Every photo we take today isn’t just a record for someone else; it’s a way to remind ourselves of what matters now. It’s grounding. It’s saying, “This moment? It’s worth remembering.” And when future generations look back, they’ll see us—not just our faces, but the stories we wanted them to know.

So don’t leave it to chance. Take the photo. Tell the story. Because every snapshot is a quiet rebellion against being forgotten.

Conclusion; Pick Up Your Camera and Capture Your Story  

For me, photography is about diving into the depths of human experience and pulling out something real. That’s, of course, if the dream doesn’t get buried under life’s chaos.

This doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not interested in beauty shots that look like magazine covers or product photos that scream “buy me.” Of course, I still need to pay some bills. But what grabs me more are the raw, unfiltered moments—the ones that tell you who a person is without saying a word.

It’s about exposing for shared humanity—the beauty, the flaws, and everything in between. 

Here’s what that might look like:

• A mother cradling her baby, her love shining through tired eyes and calloused hands.
• A craftsman, drenched in sweat, pouring his soul into his work to create a better tomorrow.
• A misfit standing on the edges, holding their ground in a place that never truly felt like home.
• A business portrait of a person who made it against all odds, their determination etched into every line on their face.
• Someone living with a disability, redefining what it means to lead a meaningful life despite the challenges they face.

Because these moments resonate with me because I see myself in all of them.

• I’ve felt the love of my mother, who gave more than she ever took.

• I’ve seen my father work tirelessly to support his family, his hands weathered by sacrifice.

• I’ve felt like an outsider, trying to find my place in a world that often felt alien.

• I understand the struggles of making something worthwhile.

These are not just other people’s stories; they are echoes of my own. And that’s the power of photography—it connects us, bridges the gaps, and reminds us that beneath the surface, we’re all living stories waiting to be told.

Your photos don’t need to be perfect, and they don’t need to be for the world to see. They can simply be for you—a way to hold on to the fleeting moments that make life what it is. Because someday, those “vain” pictures might be the only proof you have of a life well-lived.

So why don’t you pick up that camera and take that photograph?

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Did you enjoy this piece, or do you have some questions? Please let us know in the comments section.

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