I’m a photographer and I’d really like to encourage my partner to take more photos of me/us/everything and I’m thinking of buying him a polaroid camera like the Instax 210. Do you think that’s a good choice for his first camera? and also, do you think it’s important in a relationship for both parties to want to document their time together via photographs? cos i know some people don’t but they never seem quite as close as the couples that do..

This is actually a super interesting question. Ive never been asked this, or anything really even similar to this before.

First things first. The 210 is a fun camera. I have no rational reason to dislike it, but oddly its never worked for me artistically. I prefer the Instax Mini in the Instax world. I think it has to do with the aspect ratio, but honestly I’m not sure. As a camera though its a good one thats fun, the size maybe an issue if you’re hoping he’ll bring it with him everywhere.

To your second part, which is the part Im particularly interested in, my first instinct is to say that Im truthfully not sure “how” it will impact your relationship to document it or not to. For me, as a photography, even when I wasn’t being a “photographer” I still have always obsessed of taking pictures of my life. However Julie has never really taken a ton of pictures before. She definitely takes far more now than when we first started dating. Ive never really pushed it on her, but more so have always been there when she expressed interest. Shes got a couple cameras of her own now, and does like to document our lives as I do. Its fun to see the things we do through completely different perspectives. I asked her why she takes more pictures now and she said “because I am happy now, and I like to share the happiness.”

Which brings me back to your question, do I think that makes our relationship stronger? Id say in so far as it brings us together with something we both love, yes it does. As medium that we use to collaborate within, absolutely! By having lots of documentation of our relationship, and as a result that documentation being out in the internet; thats a harder part to put a value on. For me, I think there is merrit in that. I think, again for me, I share me feelings through the images I create. I obsess over shooting Julie because I love to capture my moments with her.

Because of that, sharing that love strengthens my feelings, as a photographer, with her. People seeing that and connecting with that is a nice feeling, and has brought a lot of amazing people into our lives, that otherwise may have just tried to come into “my” life; if you get what I mean. (This is what typing while I think looks like, sorry for the rant)

Conversely I don’t know that your relationship would be in any deficit without the photos. If taking photos isn’t his thing, then I think pushing it on him would make it feel disingenuous. Additionally I think its important to never leave a genuine moment to take a picture. My general rule of thumb is that Ill document a moment when it feels appropriate, but I wont try to create a post.

All in all I think a photographers perspective on the effects of documentation on a relationship will always be slightly different than someone that isn’t that photographically motivated. As a photographer I love it. As a non-photographer Julie has come to love it. As a couple we’ve enjoyed sharing who we are and for us that has made our relationship all the stronger.

Hope there is some sense to be made in there.

Derek