Capturing the Moment: Why We Celebrate World Photography Day

"Photography has been my way of bearing witness to the joy I find in seeing the extraordinary in ordinary." ~ Harold Feinstein

Good morning; afternoon; and evening friends and fans! Namasté. 🧘🏽‍♀️ I hope all is well on this lovely day wherever you are in the world! Since today is World Photography Day and this year's theme is "Home." Focusing on comfort, connection, family, and a sense of belonging. Useless trivia time, did you know that the broader period also marks an ongoing celebration of nearly 200 years of photography since the first permanent images were created in the late 1820s? August 19, making the 1839 date when the French government released the daguerreotype photographic process patent as a free gift to the world. There is also World Photography Week as well that runs from August 12 through August 26, 2026, encouraging creators to share images and stories using hashtags like #WorldPhotographyDay; and #WorldPhotographyWeek. I know I haven't been very active with going on my photography walks and there is so much going on in my personal life in the past month, but I won't openly discuss it on here but it's nothing negative or dangerous. Anyway, I have a lot of spring cleaning to do around the apartment, and I honestly do not know how often I will be actively keeping up with blogging after today.

"Only photograph what you love." ~ Tim Walker

Since today is World Photography Day, I'm feeling all giddy and happy that I get to geek out with my fellow photographers today and for as long as I'm able to do all things photography. For anyone who isn't into photography, I don't want to bore you with photography, and feel free to read my other non-photography blogs as you can circle back to future blogs. I feel like I could have better planned World Photography Day but for the time being, I just want to gradually bring rolls of 35mm film to B&H: Photo to be developed and scanned with contact sheets and a CD. I'm fully aware that no one uses CDs anymore. I do have a flash drive, and I can eventually save for a Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner so I can scan all the negatives and save them to my flash drive so I wouldn't have to spend more than what I have to if it's not too weird to say. It wouldn't make sense to go to LaGuardia Community College [CUNY] just to use their photo lab and use their scanner to scan negatives just to save these images to my flash drive, makes zero sense when I can simply scan in the comfort of my own home. It's unnecessary to have so many flash drives laying around for each time I drop film off at B&H, and if I were still attending LaGuardia Community College for Photography, AAS, I would be in the photo lab scanning all of my negatives so I can photoshop them at a later time once I learn photoshop. I feel way more excited, animated, and alive about photography than I ever will be regarding my current customer service job in retail since there is zero growth for me to flourish and learn, and I am freaking bored as fuck with my retail job as we speak. (Just wait until the day I finally quit my retail job of seven years, four months and roughly twenty-one days, and leave them all in the rearview mirror permanently! Don't beg me to stay because I deserve better than having more days of wanting to call out than to show up for these clowns and customers who have no respect for those who work in customer service since I don't get paid enough to deal with this level of nonsense. If you're having a bad day, please stay your butt at home until you're mentally and emotionally regulated before going to any business establishment because we do not need your level of verbal abuse since we don't get paid enough to deal with your attitude and verbal abuse! I feel it is time for me to spread my wings and pursue other important things in life that will pay bills since my part-time customer service job barely pays the maintenance bill monthly but I'm barely getting by with my customer service job. I do feel that my current job is only good for those who are in their 20s and in college while still living at home with their parents/family; if you have zero dreams and aspiration to do better for yourself regardless of age because you are never "too old" to go back to college and better yourself or if you're looking to come out of retirement which is very understandable.)

"I didn't choose photography, photography chose me." ~ Gerardo Suter

When I'm behind the camera, I feel more at home, and at ease. When I see people shoot film, whether if it's 35mm or 120mm film, it makes me smile and happy. People are generally surprised when I mention film and I get asked this a lot, "Film still exist?" "Where do you develop your film?" "Where do you buy film?" General questions like that and my main go to photography spot is B&H in Midtown Manhattan, not far from Madison Square Garden. I feel like a kid and to me, B&H is the equivalent to Toys "R" Us to children but for photographers or for those creating music, podcasts, or movies. B&H is my main go-to spot but when they're closed for Jewish holidays, I go to K&M Camera and they're not as big as B&H, but I would say K&M Camera is more of a mom-and-pop kind of store. Since I currently do not have my driver's license or a car, going to Long Island other the convenience of going to Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream is pretty much out of the question for me and Manhattan is my main option. Unfortunately, Bushwick Community Darkroom closed its doors on June 30, 2026, and unfortunately, I have not visited that location yet. It was on my list of places to check out in the upcoming weeks. I know there are other locations where you can utilize what they have. However, if you are a student at LaGuardia Community College or Queensborough Community College [CUNY] or wherever you are currently studying, they have their own darkroom to current students who are currently studying photography either as a hobby or as a career or simply to brush up on anything new since the last time you were a student in college. I'd have to look into where you can develop your own rolls of film. I'm not entirely sure if you're able to develop color film but I know black and white film, definitely yes, you can develop your own film. I'd have to look into where you can develop your film since Bushwick Community Darkroom is permanently closed and I'm not sure what the future will hold for them whether if they find a new physical location where fellow photographers can come together and feel at "home."

A Quick Look Back

Photography has come a long way since the 1800s, when pioneers like Nicephore Nicepce and Louis Daguerre captured the first permanent images. What started as a complex, chemical-heavy science in a darkroom is now an art form carried in billions of pockets around the world.

Yet, the core goal remains identical: connection.

What Photography Teaches Us

Taking pictures is not just about pressing a button. It teaches us important skills that change how we move through the world:

• Patience: Waiting for the right light or the perfect subject to step into the frame.
• Presence: Noticing small details - like shadows on a wall or a bird on a branch - that others walk right past.
• Storytelling: Sharing a unique perspective of people, nature, or your own hometown.

How to Celebrate Today

You do not need fancy gear to join in. Try these simple ideas:

1. Put down the phone: If you have a dedicated camera, dust it off and take it for a one-hour walk.
2. Shoot your everyday: Take three artistic photos inside your own home. Look for unique angles or morning light.
3. Share your story: Post your favorite recent photo online and tell the story of why you took it, not just how it looks.

How are you celebrating your love for photography today? Grab your camera, look around, and go capture something real!

Blessed be,

Jennifer