It all began after attending a brunch organized by Amsterdam International Women, a lovely gathering for women entrepreneurs. One of the participants shared how she records short voice messages to capture a thought or emotion in the moment. She said it helped her reconnect with her confidence, even if the recordings were just for herself.

That stuck with me.

As a photographer, I’m constantly moving from one session to another. But the feeling after each one, the location, the energy, how it made me feel, those little things fade quickly. So I started doing something similar. Not voice notes, but short video diaries, right after my sessions, filmed in selfie mode, like a story. Most of them are just for me. But a few, I began posting.

Why Video, Not Just Photos

Sometimes, we talk a lot about the images we take, but not about what it felt like to take them. These little videos capture my voice, my expression, the vibe of the street or garden, or boat I just left. I talk about:

• How the session went
• What the light was like
• What made the moment special
• How I felt

I don’t include my clients unless I have permission, which is rare because I want them to feel relaxed and free during the shoot. But even without them in the frame, these video diaries have become a behind-the-scenes peek into my work and thoughts.

I made this one to talk about the year 2024.

And this one is Live from The Tulip Barn, a beautiful garden in Voorhout

How I Make Them

They’re usually short, about 2 or 3 minutes when I record, but I trim them to around 1 minute so they’re easy to watch. I use the 0.5x camera on my phone (I love that wide angle for capturing a bit of the background), and edit everything in CapCut.

Most of the time, I share them on TikTok, and sometimes on Instagram, especially in stories. It’s casual, quick, and it helps me document the process while it’s still fresh in my mind.

I also made some to describe the routes that I'm walking during photowalks. This one is talking about things to find in Rokin.

Why I Keep Doing It

The best part is that these diaries help me remember all the little details. When I sit down later to write a blog post or prepare content for social media, it’s much easier because I have already captured my thoughts and the atmosphere of the session. Especially since I only share client photos 4 to 6 weeks later, these videos help me reconnect with the feeling of that day.

I don’t do them every single time. Usually, I film when I feel something: joy, inspiration, maybe even surprise. Or if I have time between sessions. It’s become part of my routine. Not forced. Just mine.

Would you like to try this too? You don’t need a script. Just open your camera and talk to yourself like you’d talk to a friend. You might be surprised by how much you remember later, and how special it feels to hear your own voice saying, “That was a good day.”

Until next one,

Joanna