When traveling or attending momentous occasions, it's easy to get caught up in capturing each moment on camera. But it's equally important to truly experience what we are photographing without excessive distraction. Finding the balance between taking photos and staying present is an art. Join us in discovering how to appreciate cameras and keep photo taking in its proper perspective.

How Do You Appreciate Photos
The advancements in cell phone technology are worthy of our appreciation. Camera phones in our pocket or bag enable us to capture memories instantly—no darkroom required. We can share them on social media with a click; no trip to the photo shop or wait time is necessary. Just remember to put the camera down to wholeheartedly experience the events or scenes around you. In Rod Stewart’s words, “Every picture tells a story...” We couldn’t agree more! But when we become consumed with taking the best pictures of our food, skin, body, or hair instead of documenting noteworthy experiences, the "story" loses its luster. Should photo-taking cause us to lose sight of what’s important, like spending quality time with friends and family and really seeing the beauty of the world, its unique value is lost. The trick is to utilize and appreciate cell phone camera technology as a means to an end, but not let it take over. If you want to learn how to stay present when taking pictures and make the most out of this phenomenal technology, you’ve come to the right photo opportunity.

Why We Take Pictures
From an innovative invention to document historic events to taking photos of our food, it is incredible how the use of the camera has evolved. We mostly take pictures to help us preserve memories of important occasions or to share amazing sights with others. Recognizing that we can’t possibly recall all the details of events, we snap photos to be able to look back and remember interesting or meaningful moments in the future. Some people take photos as a hobby to express creativity, reveling in seeing their carefully framed artwork in print. Others use photos to record their family history and create a rich legacy. Photography is a popular art form, with many people becoming professional photographers for various purposes. We also use technology to enhance productivity and security. On a practical level, photos can help inventory what you have in the fridge before hitting the store to ensure you don’t double up on perishables. Taking pictures to catalog possessions or document accidents could prove valuable for insurance claims.

Pitfalls of Picture-Taking
In today’s digital culture, photo-taking has morphed into its own phenomenon. Although there is nothing inherently pathological or “bad” about picture-taking, it is clear that something is amiss when we are torn between taking pictures vs. enjoying the moment. Forgetting to stay present and pay attention to what we are doing when snapping away becomes a potential barrier between us and genuine enjoyment of the environment. Not only can this activity interrupt our lives, but taking a photo and not committing the scene to memory may impair recollection of events. Studies at the University of California by psychologist Elizabeth Loftus reveal that relying on photos can compromise memory retention. Like any muscle, our brains need exercise to function optimally, but when taking pictures, we essentially tell our brains that they don’t need to remember the scene before us as our cameras are doing the job for us.

Ask yourself these questions to help put pictures into the right frame and preserve your cognitive health:

1. Are you consumed with the pictures you “get,” constantly asking friends and family to wait while you snap away?
2. Is taking a perfect picture of an amazing-looking dish worth letting it (and your dinner partner’s food) get cold? (And, honestly, does anyone really care about that fantastic dish you had to take a picture of”?)
3. Are you using photos to artificially pump up how you look to the outside world or brag?

Make Your Camera Work for You
Keeping cameras in their proper “place” and making them work for you, not against you, is possible! Try out these photo-taking “edits” so it doesn’t become intrusive:

Tuck it away: Keep your phone out of sight to fully immerse yourself in the present moment. This way you won’t be as tempted to document every little thing, helping you be discriminating about what is truly photo-worthy. Notice how challenging it is not to reach for it!

Be intentional: Before reaching your destination, set your intention. Then, as each photo opportunity presents itself, adopt a mindful approach. Ask yourself why you want to capture this moment or if you’d rather stay present. When you consciously decide a photo is required, clarify what emotions or story you want to convey through your images to remain focused throughout.

Stay engaged: Observe, interact, and connect with the person, landscape, or event you are photographing. Take the time to soak up the beauty around you, be present, and enjoy!

Take the picture: We’re not saying don't take the picture; we're suggesting you go ahead and capture that memory, then get back to the business of living. Give yourself permission to take a picture or two, and pay attention to the details, colors, and composition of your surroundings when framing your shots. This will result in quality photos to help you appreciate the beauty of the moment you captured.

Return to the present: Once you get the shot, put the camera down and return to thoroughly enjoying and experiencing the moment—distraction-free.

Reframe your view: Think of photos as a garnish or drizzle that complements the “meal” of life, rather than thinking of photos as the main course. Enjoy the event or activity you’re engaging in, but don’t prioritize taking pictures—unless you are getting paid!

Open your aperture: Get out and live life to the fullest by opening your view to notice the world around you. You might be surprised at what you discover!

Selfies Exposed
Selfies reflect our appearance and behavior. Do you want to be that self-consumed person who only takes selfies or the adventurer who soaks up new locales, beautiful nature, and diverse cultures? Instead of self-centered selfies the next time you are out, offer to take a picture of a family or couple so they can have a quality photograph to remember. When you turn the lens towards others, you get out of “self” and promote good will.

Resist Photo Perfectionism
Do you fret about getting the perfect shot? If you get home and discover your photos don’t adequately reflect the sights you saw, it is okay! Chances are a professional photographer with high-powered cameras and techniques has captured the magic, and you can purchase their photos while supporting an artist! If you post the images publicly, be sure to tag them to give them credit!

Spoiler alert: Memorable moments aren’t all about the photos or how you look in them. The most attractive photos are candid, in-the-moment shots where you can tell someone is genuinely enjoying themselves, exuding joy.

Pretty As a Picture
Do you often have post-photo angst about your appearance? First, resolve not to criticize yourself. Then, if you don’t like something about your looks and would like to look back at photos without nitpicking, our clean skincare, body care, and hair health products can help. Here are a few tips for achieving and maintaining a close-up-ready attitude and better skin health, hair texture, and volume.

1. Use the photo as a barometer: Resist the urge to fixate on perceived imperfections in selfies. Tell your head or mind, “Thank you for sharing,” and use this to measure where you are in your self-love journey.
2. Crop it: When your internal “tape” starts to pick apart your features, cut out this critical tendency by replacing each negative thought with a positive one to restore a balanced perspective.
3. Change your aspect ratio: Challenge yourself to reframe how you perceive your appearance while being kind to yourself emotionally. You may notice that the redness, blemishes, or wrinkles bothering you aren’t that important in the big scheme of things.

However, that doesn’t mean you neglect your skin. You can still take care of it with the following:

1. Redness & Sensitivity: The RS2 Line for rosacea-prone skin and products for sensitive skin, from the face cleanser for sensitive skin to the soothing gentle moisturizer, decrease color saturation.
2. Breakouts: Use the best natural facial cleanser for acne prone skin, spot treatment, blemish cream, and acne mask to eliminate blemishes.
3. Early Aging: Our Power Repair® Line, plus the entire Pevonia clean skincare range, work to help prevent early fine lines, etc.
4. Sun Damage: The Micro-Retinol® Collection is a complete skincare regimen, from the specially-formulated cleanser to the science backed Retinol cream that dials back the visible effects of UV rays.
5. Advanced Signs of Aging: The Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Collection and Myoxy-Caviar® Timeless Repair Line lead the way toward maintaining graceful aging.
6. Control your exposure: Let the light in with illuminating products. Pevonia’s Vitamin C serum, Lumafirm® Collection, and Micro-Retinol® Collection have a dynamic effect, creating glowing skin that “passes” the light meter test. With our natural skin care formulas, you won’t have to worry about “underexposure” or “overexposure.”
7. Use filter effects: Blur blemishes, uneven skin tone, redness, and enlarged pores with a tinted moisturizer or natural eye cream and concealer-in-one for polished photos. Pro tip: Apply to your chest, back of hands, arms, and legs, too, to create a flawless look—no airbrush or Photoshop required!
8. Fill in empty spaces: For a receding hairline or crown hair loss, use natural products for hair thinning to thicken up your mane. You can also create the illusion of thicker hair by fluffing it with volumizing powder or hair fibers and pulling it to the front for photos.

To look radiant in photos, maximize results for your healthiest skin ever with an in-depth consultation for your ideal products and one or a series of the following professional treatments to get ready for your close-up: The Lumafirm® Lift & Glow/Freeze-Dried Facial Treatment, Peel & Recapture Micro-Retinol® Essential Treatment, Myoxy-Caviar® Mask Treatment, RS2 Rosacea Mask Treatment, Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Freeze-Dried Treatment, or Hair Energize Shampoo Bowl Experience.