How to Document Your Weekend

A few weeks ago, Matt and I drove to Amador County for a three day weekend.  A weekend I wanted to document because we were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, and to me, that’s a Really Big Deal.  So on Friday morning we headed over to the California foothills armed with a loose itinerary (and long list of winery recommendations).

Okay, so I actually only have one tip for documenting the milestones in your life: Take lots of photos.  Look at the big picture but don’t forget the details.  If there is something you want to to remember – the scenic views, a beautifully prepared meal, or even the gorgeous bathroom in your hotel room that you’d like to replicate pieces of at home – take the picture.

Sometimes I hesitate because I don’t want people around me to think Ew, she’s one of those people who photographs every meal and posts it on Instagram.  I forget I’m not supposed to care what other people think.  But they’re probably not even paying attention, they might even be Instagramming their own meal!  So don’t worry about them, if they’re judging they will soon forget, but you won’t, you’ll have your memory.  And of course (do I really need to say this?) enjoying your time with whomever you’re with is the most important thing, you don’t need to style your whole dinner table, take the shot and then put your camera/phone away.

It’s also helpful to keep a small notebook on hand and to write down places that you enjoyed, or fun facts that you learned while on a tour.  That stuff is often non existent or very hard to find later on the Internet or in your guide book, and if you wanted that bit of information to tell a story or make a photo album, you really don’t want to be wasting your time searching, that’s just annoying.  If you don’t want to carry a notebook then use the notes app on your smartphone.

The key is to take all the pictures you think you need to remember the weekend, and then take even more.  Take pictures of the things that you think are beautiful, that make you smile, and even the things that go wrong – those might make you laugh later.  These are all the things that make wonderful memories.