After a delightful weekend, I was editing some of my photos.  What struck me during this edit process is that I have some lovely images of the hikes that we've taken in Bend, Oregon over the weekend.  But, there weren't alot of images of my daughter and I hamming it up for the camera.  

We were on some pretty popular trails and it was not uncommon for someone to take their cell phone and snap an image that includes themselves and the rest of the group.  Arms outstretched, they capture the moment and the moment documents that they were there.

I have a few photos of my daughter and I, but I noticed that the images that really worked for me recording the moment without our presence.  I didn't feel the need to "prove" that we were there.  I just wanted to capture the mood of the serenity and the beauty of the scene.  

For example, at the end of our 8 mile hike, we went from Green Lake to Todd Lake in Oregon.  Both beautiful places.  There was something about capturing the serene beauty of Todd Lake without having the two of us smiling and interfering with the view.  Now, when I look over this image, I can conjure up all of the thoughts and feelings while we were there.  Just a different view that what some others might think about when taking photos and recording memories.