The Humboldt Regional Newcomers Centre recently opened an I am Here Because it is Home exhibit at the Humboldt and District Gallery, and what a great idea.
The exhibit was designed as a way to showcase the journey newcomers go on as they transition to living in Canada.
Using images people can tell stories in a lot of ways.
But aside from the stories the images tell, it is the message I take away from the exhibit that strikes me most: get out and take pictures.
In today’s society the access to cameras is endless.
Most people today carry a cell phone, and even those who are still using a flip phone more likely than not have a camera included.
While that old flip phone camera might not be the greatest, many of the cameras today take incredible photos.
And it is easier today.
Gone are the days where you had to be selective with your pictures because you only had so much film.
If you see something that might take a nice picture, take it.
Worst case it does not turn out and you delete it. Take advantage of that.
Photos are a great way to preserve a memory. Our brains may not always remember something, but a picture does.
I will be honest, I hate getting my picture taken so I avoid it at all costs.
But you shouldn’t.
There will come a day when you wish you could remember this person or that event. If you have pictures you can’t forget.
Recently we were talking at work about asking for photos of sons with their fathers for a feature we are running in the paper.
During that conversation it donned on me, I don’t think I even have any.
Don’t come to that realization.
If you have a chance to snap a photo, snap it.
So good on the Newcomers Centre for not only encouraging people to take those photos, but encouraging them to share them.
They are our memories, they need to be remembered.
