Making Memories— And Capturing Them

As a father of three and a photographer, I have an irrepressible urge to document my children’s lives through pictures (and video), especially during our vacations.

- Jar Concengco

It’s important to me that we make memories together, but even more significant if I could chronicle them. I can vividly recall that time when an old lady offered my son gimbap (Korean sushi roll) while we were on a train in Seoul, thanks to a photograph; or my son’s facial reaction when he pet a baby tiger in Chiang Mai because of a video I took.

Traveling with kids is already a challenge—managing each child’s mood, finding areas in your destination that are family-friendly (for instance, we didn’t know that a nice café/restaurant we were eating at in Kyoto allowed smoking indoors), and creating an itinerary that they can keep up with. Documenting the trip, however, is another level in itself. We’re lucky because the cameras on our phones have increased in quality, so much that I have relied on it many times, foregoing my DSLR. I am now using my iPhone more than ever during trips. Doing so also gives me a lighter backpack while walking around the streets abroad.