[MtnTime2896]

I am very much a historian, of sorts. There's a belief that is held by some Indigenous people that photographs can steal your soul. A hobby of mine is photography, though I don't normally take pictures of people but often landscape, as to share through an image of what I see to others who are not there to witness it. Well, I feel I'm stealing a piece of something special that is meant for my eyes at that exact moment, but I digress. The idea of stealing someone's soul through photography is something that was on my mind prior to finding out I wasn't the only one who thought this way. To be honest, I very rarely allow my picture to be taken. One, I'm very self-conscious anyway, but I'm also aware that I'm very private. I don't know how I feel about the idea that someone a hundred years from now will be looking at my picture and wondering what my life must've been like. Hypocritical, I know, because I do this as a hobby because I'm so fascinated by history.

To the question though: How many here feel like it can "steal your soul" or just feel like it's a moment in time that would be special for the person taking it? Do you like your picture taken?

[fishin fool]

I love history also and photography.
I just see it as an art form and don't think it can steal your soul.

[worrist]

I don't think it steals your soul, but as a photographer myself, i do feel that it provides a glimpse into someone's soul. So much can be said by a photography that words could never convey.

As far as getting my picture taken, I've learned to embrace it. I smile a lot more than i used to. Just like I am trying to capture a moment when I take a photograph, the person that is photographing me is trying to do the same. They deserve the same respect that afford myself.

[Thunder Bow]

I am a photographer and a Native American (Navajo). With the coming of digital photography and smart phones, every one here, takes some kind of photograph. I think this related to film photography in the past. Out here is best to ask before you take someones photo. Or take ones photo where it is permitted.

Other wise in the general public such as cities, your photo is recorded no matter where you go, like it or not. Thus nothing to worry about, except when you are on Tribal lands.

[MtnTime2896]

Makes sense everyone. I should've clarified that I wasn't being too literal with the "stealing your soul" thing. I'm one of them figurative bastards, haha. I forget to clarify when I'm being this way, I call it a writer's habit.

I was just figuratively talking about how it felt uncomfortable and, for me, feels as though a piece of me is "stolen" as I have "stolen" from different scenery myself. Stolen and recorded -- unintentionally -- for people to witness later for those who will never know my name.

[LiteraryLark]

I was the yearbook girl in high school. At the time, it was a magical feeling to create a piece of SRHS history. Now, i feel technology is taking over, people absorbed in their phones, and now I try to only take photos i want known in history. I struggle with my self esteem and it is hard to not want my photo taken unless my friends are in the picture. I feel so lonely on facebook when my profile picture is either me alone or an artwork of my obsessions. I wish my facebook photos consisted of pictures of me with my friends. Selfies make me feel so isolated and lonely.