They’re instant camera photos, specifically from one of those Fujifilm Instax Minis you can find in Target or something. Not from a Polaroid. My friend had gotten the camera as a birthday gift.
I have three of them, and my friend (the camera owner) has whatever others we took that day. It was August 2019, and this was the last outing we would have as a group before classes started again. Even more than that, our other friend would be leaving to study abroad in South Korea for the semester. It was a last hurrah of sorts.
One photo has me posing in the forefront of a cloud-heavy sunset, with a peak of the Williamsburg Bridge in the background. Another has me and Mr. Abroad-To Be posing on the bridge of sorts at Domino Park (a lovely site for a summertime expedition. We happened to come across the location just the week before after the crossing the Williamsburg bridge from Chinatown and loved it so much, we came back for a picnic). It’s much darker than my aforementioned solo photo. I’m sitting down innocently, legs together, smiling brightly, a smile just as innocent as the position I’m sitting in. My friend is standing, posing in a way that’s much more dynamic. I really don’t know how else to describe it. The last has the three of us posing in front of a yellow Herschel mural. I’m squatting down, mostly getting my grounded side-profile, but my face is towards the camera, so I have a sort of 3/4 thing going on. Mr. Study In South Korea-To Be is to the far right, seemingly answering a phone call while mid-stride. He has the “It Factor” to pull such a pose off effortlessly. Ms. Camera-Owner is in the middle, slightly leaning forward, smiling brightly. We specifically chose the Herschel background as part of an inside joke bigger than just Herschel backpacks.
These photos were also special to me, considering the circumstances under which we took them, and that I’ve always wanted to both own and take instant camera photos. I still feel each and every component of that trip that made that day special, even to this very moment. I never forgot any part for second, not when I trekked all across Manhattan before finally crossing over into Williamsburg, the sudden and relentless rainstorm that hit, going to McDonald’s so my friend can get a slushy, walking Ms. Polaroid home then looking for a place to get a drink afterwards, etc. It was the quintessential summer day/night by every measure. Then Covid-19 happened, and these photos became so much more. They became representative of a Time That Was, and everything therein. The freedom, the safety, the mobility, the innocence, the happiness.
The great thing is however, that the same way we ended up reuniting to celebrate Mr. Foreign’s 20th birthday the February of the following year after returning home safely, we’ll all safely reunite during safer days, and/or even in spite of the not-so safe times we’re still in. The idea certainly has been discussed. As for what we’ll do, I have no idea, but a third trip to Domino Park seems quite romantic the more I think about it….
I very much enjoyed the story of how your favorite photos came to be. Due to COVID everyone’s social circle has suffered. The memories we made before will have so much more value and meaning looking back. Have you spoken to those you have taken the photos with recently?
I love the way you described the photos that I could in vision it without even having to see the actual photo. This was also very relatable. Due to the circumstances a lot of people only have memories to hold on to. Do your friends also have photos of that day?
As a photography enthusiast, I can’t agree more. A printed Polaroid picture definition holds more more significant meanings than a digital photo taken by cellphone. As time went by, I wish you can safekeeping these precious pictures and will be able to experience the same feelings over and over again that you had when you took the pictures.
This is a sweet story. There’s something about instant shoot pictures that I still love. I think it’s the tangibleness of the photo. Being able to touch it, kicks in the other senses.
Its great that those pictures remind you of great memories. Its also great that you guys took those pictures not on a phone. I think it is definitely more meaningful to have them printed out. Are you still close with your friends? Hope you are.
I really loved your story because I was also planning on writing my story about my pink polaroid that I got for my birthday a few months ago! I also feel like polaroid films hold such a deeper meaning than regular pictures. The way it looks and the design just makes the memory feel so different and unique.
thats so sweet of your sister