We’ve all fallen prey to it at some point. Shiny object syndrome is a very real and present part of our lives. If we’re not careful it may consume us to the point of alienating loved ones and friends. As we get older,we’ve come to learn that experiences are more important than things. There are some very real and important benefits to putting experiences above physical possessions.
With all of our photo shoots, we hope to capture the love, joy, and happiness of everyone we put in front of our lens. Photography sessions are as much an experience as they are service performed for hire. A good photographer will make you feel comfortable during a shoot. A great photographer will make you wish that you could keep going even after the session ends.
Remember how it felt to have the new phone in your hands? The smooth texture of the metal, the lightning fast speed at which you could stream videos? Receiving something new elicits a gleeful happiness that can be hard to match. While we may relish the new piece of jewelry or latest top from your favorite clothing store, that feeling is sure to be outlived.
This is because we learn to adapt to the new object in our lives. The novelty of the latest electronic gadget loses its appeal because it becomes part of our daily lives, and thus no longer holds that appeal that first drew us to it.
When we choose something experiential in nature, we are placing value on that experience. In effect, we are saying that we identify with whatever it is we are engaging in. Someone who loves music will value tickets to their favorite band or singer over just hearing their song on the radio. Likewise, someone who values family and friendships will want a picture of them to remember them by when those people are not around.
It’s difficult to share the feeling you get when you buy a new pair of shoes. What about how it felt during date night, or during that hiking trip with friends? When we invest in an experience, often times it is something that we can share with others. When we have shared experiences, we are able to form deeper bonds. Purchasing something online is a solitary and isolated act, but engaging in shared experiences brings us closer in community with other human beings.
When we buy physical products, the next thing we have to do is find a place to put them. Sometimes this need to buy the latest and greatest can get out of hand, resulting in a cluttered bedroom or house. The nice thing about experiences is that the end result is not always walking away with something physical in your hands.
When you're actively engaged in an activity, there is little room to be distracted. This forces us to be more mindful and present. For example, painting or pottery classes are very much a hands-on activity. If you allow your mind to wander, then the resulting piece will most likely be disappointing. Experiences focus our attention and efforts on what’s immediately in front of us, rather than allowing our minds to check out. Anyone who’s sat at the dinner table with phones all pulled out can appreciate this.
It’s easy to get into the trap of trying to keep up with the Joneses. Who has the most expensive car? Who has the nicest clothes? Physical stuff makes it way too easy to compare ourselves to others. Experiences, to a certain extent, make it less of an issue when it comes to comparison. Everyone who goes into a movie theater all saw the same movie. There is little to no comparison between our experiences with others because the activity was the same for everyone.
When was the last time you tried something new? Did you go out of your comfort zone? While not everyone feels comfortable going skydiving or bungee jumping, public speaking for some people can be just as terrifying. When we seek new experiences, our world view expands. Volunteering for a homeless shelter opens our eyes to the challenges of others. Training for a 5k or a marathon allows us to push ourselves mentally and physically to new levels. Physical products do very little to open us to new worlds.
Experiences are more important than things in a number of ways. Experiences allow others to see what we truly value, while at the same time creating avenues for closer connections with friends and loved ones. Senior portraits and family photo sessions are a great example of an experience that is shared with those closest to us. Exploring new and exciting areas with others, all the while documenting the experience for future preservation, is one of the best experiences we can think of.
Ready to schedule your next senior, family, maternity, or couples photo session? Contact us today! We’d love to hear from you.
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couples, experiences, family, maternity, photo, photography, seniors
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