The New York Times - Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese

I am going to have a remarkable summer. I am not getting married this year (and for the first time in what feels like a decade, none of my friends are, either). I have no plans to go to Sicily, or the South of France, or even to the Jersey Shore. But I do have a disposable camera.

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And I’ve found that if you let it, the magic of a disposable camera can transform an entire season of your life. At the risk of sounding too heady over a piece of plastic meant to be thrown away, let me explain.

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There is something that feels both nostalgic and ridiculous about wielding a disposable camera in 2023. It will surely lack the quality, convenience, and instant gratification that an iPhone camera provides. But a disposable offers things your phone could never: A bit of whimsy. A twinge of mystery.

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Will this photo even turn out? Will I look amazing? Did I blink? How will we remember this moment, and who will we be, by the time we see it developed, months later?

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That satisfying little click can spread a sense giddiness over everyone in its viewfinder. Lean into its power, and you’ll find a disposable doesn’t just capture moments of happiness, it begets them.

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When I’m debating piling into a friend's car for a day trip to the beach, or considering a romantic sunset walk (with my dog Ellie, that is … ), my disposable camera—and the urge to fill up a roll with hazy, happy memories—nudges me out the door. On their own, none of these little moments are necessarily noteworthy. But when I eventually flip through a glossy, imperfect stack of snapshots, I’ll see a full season of saying yes. Through that lens, a summer spent staying put in Brooklyn starts to look pretty remarkable.

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The best disposable camera→

Thanks for reading, and happy snapping.

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