"If it was not posted, did it really happen?" Why you should be mindful of where and when you take photos

A habit that was once deemed as a means of preserving memories has transformed into an obsessive compulsion.

While photography undoubtedly brings numerous benefits, it is vital to examine the negative consequences this incessant photo-taking culture has had on society as a whole.

Sophia Mnema, 23, a resident of Dar es Salaam, is one of the many people who have already tested the negative impact of the habit shares that she used to take pictures whenever she did something, confessing that she likes to take pictures everywhere she goes.

She says it has turned into a tradition for her to take pictures of every event that concerns her, whether good or bad.

She then shares that in 2019, she once took a picture of her late aunt's lifeless body in the coffin, which caused an argument between her and her clan.

"It was a big conflict, even after the funeral, the family still didn't want to be around me. They saw me as a cursed person," she says.

She adds: "I apologised many times but every time I met my late aunt's husband, he did not even want to greet me. One day when I visited him at his home, he chased me away."

She says that it was after her brother convinced her aunt's husband to hear her out that he agreed to forgive her and urged her not to repeat such a mistake.

"To be honest, when I was taking pictures, I was thinking of keeping it as a memory of my aunt. I didn’t think it would be such a big problem like that," she says.

She went on to say after the incident, different people attacked her with harsh words such as that she is a photo-slave.

"Their anger made me realise that I was wrong and that, not every place is right to take pictures," she says.

She adds: “I still take photos of every event except for funeral events.”

Similar to Sophia, Timotheo Robbin, 29, a Dar es Salaam resident narrated that he liked taking pictures while at hangout joints “maeneo ya kula bata/maeneo ya starehe,” which he says was part of celebrating his life, especially when enjoying his time accompanied by friends.

"I used to like to share these photos and videos on my WhatsApp status and when people comment, I feel happy, especially when they praise my fashion taste and the way we enjoy life with my friends," he says.

Timotheo shared that one day he and his friend travelled from Dar es Salaam to Arusha and while in Arusha, they went to one of the bars in the middle of the city.

During the course of the evening with his friends, he unlocked his phone and started taking photos and videos of themselves and happily singing Afro-pop songs played by the bar's DJ.

"Suddenly my friend was hit on the head with a beer bottle, before we could prepare for what was happening, I was shocked that my phone had already been taken away," he says.

He continues: "In front of me, I saw a very angry man standing and he said to me with severity, 'You are taking pictures of us, do you know who we are?'. I explained to him that we were just enjoying ourselves and we had no bad intentions."

He shared that after explaining this to the man, he restored the phone back to its factory settings and returned it to him as part of making sure that he doesn’t get his pictures ever again.

“I was afraid to even go and report this because I kept thinking to myself 'What gave that man the courage to attack two people?' We felt that he was a bad person and we left the scene,” he says.

He says that after leaving the bar, he called a taxi and they went back to the hotel.

"We thanked God that my friend had dreadlocks, that's why the bottle didn't injure him. After the incident, we never went to any other place joint until the day we left the city," he says.

He admits that the incident made him realise that it is very dangerous to take pictures everywhere he goes.

"Since that day, I only take pictures when I'm at home because I believe it would bring me more problems if I continue holding that habit. I just took that incident as an alarm and that’s why I changed," he says.

However, Ms Pennina Gondo, a sociologist in Mwanza shares that it is crucial to understand why this habit developed in the first place.

“Once you identify the underlying reasons, note them down and evaluate whether they align with your true values and priorities,” she says.

She says everyone should set clear boundaries and limits for themselves regarding photography.

“Decide on the specific situations or events you will allow yourself to take pictures at and those where you will refrain,” she says.

On her part, a psychologist in Dar es Salaam, Ms Saudia Mahamoud notes that mindfulness can be a powerful tool to combat the mindless impulse to constantly photograph.

“Pay attention to the present moment, focusing on sensations in your body, sounds around you, or even the feeling of your breath.

“This will strengthen your ability to remain fully present without relying on photography as a distraction,” she says.

She explains that one needs to explore alternative mediums to express creativity or document moments.

“These alternatives can help you shift your focus away from photography and explore new means of self-expression,” she says.

She says instead of capturing everything, adopt a more discerning approach.

“Prioritise quality over quantity by being selective in what you photograph. Ask yourself if an image truly holds meaningful significance or adds value to your life,” she explains.

She adds: “Focus on capturing moments that evoke strong emotions or have a lasting impact, rather than snapping mindlessly.”

She reveals that one of the key benefits of reducing excessive photography is the ability to fully immerse yourself in the present moment.

“Learn to appreciate experiences without relying on a camera lens,” she advises.

“Take time to simply observe your surroundings and engage in conversations. By doing so, you will cultivate a greater appreciation for the present,” she notes.

On the other hand, a psychologist from the University of Dodoma, Mr Sebastian Josephat says accountability can be essential in breaking any habit.

“Share your intention to stop excessive photography with a trusted friend or family member. They can help remind you of your goals and provide support when you feel tempted to take pictures,” he says.

He says when in social settings, set boundaries by resisting the urge to take out your camera or phone every time you see something interesting.

“Be present and engage fully with the people around you. Capture mental images instead of digital ones, allowing yourself to create lasting memories that are not exclusively tied to photographs,” he says.

“Remember that breaking any habit takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself throughout this process, understanding that you may still occasionally slip up and take unnecessary pictures.

He continues: “Remind yourself of your motivation and why you want to change this behaviour, and keep persisting toward your goal of being less reliant on photography.”