Gritty, grainy, contrasty black and white film. The need for color goes out the window and the subject and light are all you need. I love it so so much. It instantly sparks nostalgia when seeing these photos. Maybe it’s due to the fact that our photographic history was mainly documented in this format or perhaps it just removes distractions and makes you focus on the subject and content of the image. Either way, my mind always prefers black and white.

Since my kids were young, I always felt like I did a good job of documenting the daily, normal, in between moments. The ones where we look at it and miss those moments, but to others, it may just seem like a snap shot.

Photography is interesting. Throw in the online / social media world into this the last decade and it gets even more interesting. What is fascinating is the shift from documenting for self to the focus on producing for others to see. Through this shift, you see less and less of the candid, intimate moments and more of the need to only show portfolio pieces and curation.

We lose track of what is important. At the end of the day, photography is such a powerful tool. It can open your eyes to nature, different cultures, capture an unforgettable moment in history and even make you be more active and do things you wouldn’t normally do, like wake up at 4 am to catch a sunrise. When it comes down to it though, remember to not focus on others, but to do what makes you happy. Photograph what is important to you. Very few of us will hit the golden ticket by the online lords and be the next big thing that seems to be what most are trying to chase. What you can do however, is be present.

Develop your life. I feel this is such a powerful phrase. Not only the play on words when it comes to film photography, but also that it directly involves you as an individual and what is important to you. I feel the impact of this whenever I get to pull that finished roll out of the tub and get the first look at the negatives as they appear. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks in that moment, but you immediately feel this sense of accomplishment from documenting, developing and just being there. You captured something special that means something to you. Now, that is worth it.

So, give it a try. Don’t do it for others, but create something that is special to you that you can look back on. Go and Develop your life.