Your Best Camera

August 11, 2010 - No Comments (be the first!) by Mishelle - Mishelle Lane Photography

I’ve often heard that the best camera you have is the one you have on you. I drove this message on my photography panel at BlogHer’10 in New York City, even!

Sure, Lola and Mustard Boy allow me to carry my camera in style, but sometimes it’s just not feasible to take it with me everywhere. I mean, for the most part I do take my camera everywhere–don’t get me wrong–I just don’t like to take it places where it’s safety is compromised.

Like, at the gynecologists because that’s just weird. And kind of gross.

Or, like, at our local swimming pool. I spend most of my time in the water with the kids and wouldn’t feel so great about my expensive camera sitting under my towels.

Another place I haven’t taken my camera is on bike rides or C25K training runs. Honestly, I’m just trying to breathe and survive. Snapping shots on my DSLR is furthest on my mind.

So? What’s a photogranerd to do?

Simple. Use the camera that’s always on [you].

Enter the modern day cellphone!

Various camera applications make it easy to take ultra cool, artsy-fartsy shots.

Cell phone cameras make it easy for you to keep telling the story of your day-to-day life through pictures. And the best part is that it’s always on you.

Personally, I like to send my pictures to my Posterous, but you can also send cell phone snaps to your Facebook, Twitpic, or even Flickr. For me, using Posterous, allows me to tell a cohesive story about my day-to-day life. I capture things that I normally wouldn’t with the camera on my phone, and it is presented in a way that flows quickly–just as the days of the week.

Another aspect of cell phone camera photography—that I absolutely love—is the fact that I can take quick self portraits. All to often, being a photographer and a mother, it’s easy to stay behind the camera. So, not only am I easily documenting my family’s life, I am able to document myself FOR my family.

Yes indeed, the best camera you have is the one you have on you!