Does The Photo Really Reflect The Reality?

Recently I was walking through a zoo, and stopped for some lunch with my family. Out the corner of my eye I saw a family of four. The mother was attempting to take a photo afar of her two kids and Husband on the step of a fountain. She shouted for them to smile while the Father had his arms wrapped around them . Nothing unusual so far right? The Father then stepped down off the fountain to look at these photos she had taken on her phone, and appeared to nod disapprovingly at them. He then returned to the same step, asked the kids to smile again while all three of them adopted the same pose. Again he came down, didn't approve of them and returned to get another photo. This cycle continued for several minutes. The children were clearly becoming less and less interested in having their photo taken, their smiles became less disingenuous and by the end of it both parents were shouting for them to smile on command. Eventually another family gate crashed what was going on before they decided to move on.

It got me thinking how many millions of photos we encounter that we perceive as a genuine reflection of ones reality, though is the complete opposite. People have become more concerned with how life should look, than how it actually is. What I don't understand is why? The rawness of a genuine photo shines through and encapsulates the moment so much better, than a photo that has needed to be staged and taken over 15 times. Then of course edited, just for someone to double tap like it and comment saying 'Beautiful'. So it does make me ask... Are we taking these photos to capture memories for later, or are we taking these photos to serve as a conscious want to have x amount of likes which apparently evidence the approval of others? What happened to just enjoying the moment? Why does everything need to be polished? It's genuine bu**sh**... And lets not get started with the hashtags that accompany some of these facades. #positivevibes #livingmybestlife... are just some to mention. At risk of sounding cynical, I think positivity is something which should be embraced and celebrated 100%! However, as I once read, "If you have to tell the world you're living your best life... its more than likely you're not". I have encountered some of the most negative, drama fuelled individuals and groups for that matter, who proclaim to live and project 'positive vibes'. In real life, the truth could not be further.

So... back to the question 'Does the photo really reflect the reality?'

Maybe... sometimes...however, if there is one thing to take away from this, is that seeing is not always believing. So when you get down and depressed, and wish your life was like that of someone you've come across on social media. Try and remember it's more than likely not a true reflection of their reality :)