The Perks Of An Insta-Obsession

You guys, I really really like Instagram! I can't remember the last time that a social networking obsession lasted this long for me... it's true love. Maybe you share the same feelings as me? 

As I scroll through the saved photos on my phone, I'm amazed by the number of meaningful moments that my phone has captured. Sure, there are a lot of photos of cupcakes and new shoes too, but even those make me smile. But really, there are so many photos of Jeremy and I from our first year of marriage that literally would not exist were it not for this silly iPhone app.

After our first year of marriage I started archiving our photos together and a shockingly large number of my favorite photos came from my phone. At that point I had a perspective switch. I started to think of my SLR camera and my phone as equals. Sure, the quality is not equal... but the accessibility makes up for it. They both have serious advantages. It's exciting. Now I find myself taking my iPhone photos more seriously, saving full size versions and printing them out. I love this. 

Not only am I taking more photos than ever before in my life, but it's EASY. I'm a huge fan of being able to create images that I am proud of literally anywhere we go. I find myself getting more creative due to the limitations of a phone camera. This is fun. It's a hobby that doesn't demand much time at all. Along the way I am documenting life.

Have you noticed this transition in your life? Do you think of your phone as your "real camera"? Do you print photos in albums or keep digital albums? What about family movies? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I know it's a little geeky but I find myself thinking (often) about how mind-blown my 16 year old self would be to have a digital "camera" with this many options. We're living in the future, y'all! Elsie

PS. Follow us on Instagram @elsiecake + @emmaredvelvet

Comments

[Naomi A.]

Gotta tell ya... I was completely against Instagram a little over a year ago. But I'm in love with it now! I'm looking forward to getting my own iPhone, so I can actually use it more than once a week, when my husband's off work ;)

[Krystal]

I love instagram, but use my regular camera more than the app. I like to take regular photos and then upload them to instagram later. Thanks for sharing :)

[Erin]

Elsie, I know just what you mean! I've started printing groups of 6 Instagrams at home on 4x6 photo paper (collaging them in photoshop and writing little notes/doodles here and there with my tablet first, of course!), and mixing them in with "regular" photographs in my albums. I find that somehow the most meaningful pictures are coming from my phone now, who'd have thought? :)

[Emily]

Totally insta-obsessed over here! I love capturing little snippets throughout the day that I wouldn't normally run and grab a camera for. Especially with my kids. Like you said some of MY favorite pics of my little ones are on my instagram. I love how it makes me feel a little bit like a professional photographer (far from though really ;) ) I really want to print mine out but haven't yet my plan is to copy my bro-in-law and print them on magnets. His fridge is full of insta-beauties and I love it!

[Stephanie]

I have so many digital photos and seriously need to print them and load them all into one external hard drive. Organization is so hard to come by for me!

http://sartorialstateofmind.blogspot.com

[Danica Pardini]

i love instagram as well and i totally agree. it's easier to snap an instagram then whip out a huge fancy camera. instagram wins!

[AniKohar]

I totally know what you mean! My fiance and I hardly ever take our point and shoot cameras anywhere now....they're pretty much obsolete. We're still hoping to get ourselves a dslr soon, but the phones will still probably get used more just because they are so convenient!

[Mika]

Love the photos! :-)

[Rima]

Yes... I don't know where my life would be without Instagram. My insta archives are filled with lots of memories that would probably wouldn't be captured with a dslr or even a point & shoot. The handy of having a light and super portable camera in a phone takes capturing memories to another level. Super convenient.

Rima
http://www.bolubyrima.com

[robbie]

i just bought an iPhone this week. i can't wait until it gets here! i've been awkwardly trying to instagram with my ipad... but it's just too big.

[Daisy Nguyen]

I seriously do not know what we did without our smart phone! I was just thinking about "back in the day" when we had to buy film, and sometimes, had to "manage" how many pictures I took, and then had to have it developed! I am TOTALLY addicted to the smart phone and all it connects me to - instagram, Facebook, friends!

Let's follow each other!

XOXO
-Daisy Nguyen from PS BANANAS fashion blog:
http://psbananas.com
BLOGLOVIN
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[Brooke]

Holy cow, I totally agree!! I generally get stressed out by most mediums of social media but instagram is TRULY amazing and never stresses me out. Some of my favorite shots have come from there too. Yay successful apps!

Brooke

[Marielle]

I don't have instagram, but I designed a camera necklace once for a project (I study Industrial Design). It was meant for the exact purpose you tell here; being able to quickly snap everyday shots that are meaningful throughout the day. At the same time it was a personal object and you could connect it to a digital picture diary with a connected service to get that printed if you wanted. It was basically a new way of journaling and documenting life's everyday small moments. :)

[jenny stokes]

I love instagram blog posts. They are easy and fun to read/see. Looks like you are having fun!
jennybodell.blogspot.com

[Sarah]

I've had one or two digital cameras but when I got my iphone I was camera-less, so thinking of it as my only camera wasn't a transition that needed to be made. That being said, after finding some excellent photo editing apps (especially the sharpen tool) I can't really say I feel like I want a "real" camera! I love the ability to take a photo and edit it using the same tool! And it's so compact! And I just love instagram! It's so awesome having all my little memories archived <3

xoxo Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

instagram: dottidee

[Maria @ All Things Luxurious]

I, too, love Instagram. I have a camera and it is fairly new, but it doesn't take pictures as prettily as my iPhone camera! I can't wait to get a better camera for Christmas, but in the meantime, I am loving this. And I probably still will once I get a better camera -- it's so easy! :-)

[Megan]

I totally agree and I love it! I think of my iPhone camera as my main camera now. Unless I'm trying to shoot some higher quality shots for my blog, I usually just use my phone because it is always there. And I agree, I love capturing the little moments that would not have otherwise been captured!

[Sarah Kyle]

I can totally relate to this post! I find myself going "oh you don't need that heavy camera today, you'll take awesome pics with your iphone anyways."

My question, how do you save a full sized version. Does the print end up looking good? I really need to start making family albums!

[Patricia]

I really need to start instagramming more, I think. Although I'm not finding it as quick as easy as my camera, or at least not as much as my point and shoot. Maybe it's because I have an older iPhone (3GS) and so it takes awhile to load and whatnot. All the more reason to upgrade, I guess!

Also, I think my favourite pictures that you instagram are the simple ones, like those starbucks cups. Those are the moments in life that are most worthy of documentation, I feel.

[Kristen from Try, Try Again]

I totally remember thinking that it sounded ridiculous the first time I heard of a camera phone...now I'm all about it! I just started a blog and one of the things that was intimidating to me about it in the back of my mind initially was that I don't have a real camera and don't know how to take pictures, but I ended up deciding that the shots I capture here and there with my phone are enough for me. And yeah I'm all about Instagram too, I may not add pictures that often but I check it one million times a day for everyone else's!