Guilty Pleasure
Confessions of a Street Photographer
I will admit it, right here for all to witness, that which is my guilty pleasure. In it I do not think I am alone. On the contrary, I believe it to be a rather common source of gratification. Ok. Deep breath. Here we go. I like to shop. There, I said it. It is in writing and cannot be recanted with any sort of credibility. It will forever live in the world of newsletters. I like to shop.
I begin with the browse, either at my favorite stores on my favorite streets or while luxuriating at home with my feet up, my dog snoring on one side of me and my cats (of which I have two) on the other, purring their approval. Just the thought of finding something that tickles my fancy brings a sense of excitement, igniting my nucleus accumbens, the part of the brain known as the reward center. It pulsates and vibrates as it revs up for the purchase. As I peruse the sweaters, pants and shoes or that coveted item for my home or even my dog, I get that tinging excitement of the impending acquisition. At times it takes a few rounds of “do I really need this?” or “should I really spend the money?” before I succumb to my trigger happy finger or quick-on-the-draw credit card release and bite the bullet. Then comes the wait.
Depending on my purchase, from a silicone spoon holder on Amazon to an adorable shirt from Rag & Bone or my next pair of waterproof Vessi’s, I may have to wait somewhere between 24 hours and two weeks. Either way, the anticipation of the arrival of my latest purchase moves me through my day with warm, pleasurable feelings of eager anticipation. I check my email periodically for the first emotional payout, those eye-caressing words “congratulations, your item has shipped!”
If I shopped at a brick and mortar, the gratification is obviously immediate. Once I’ve been handed the bag I eagerly make my way home where I shuffle through it, unpacking all my new treasures. Oh the joy.
I imagine I sound as if I spend and spend, wracking up debt on my credit card while attempting to hide my addiction from those around me. The reality is, for how enticing the feeling is, I have a fully formed internal restraint system, giving in to my guilty pleasure only on occasion. Moderation, in the end, brings the greatest reward.
Thank you as always for taking the time to read. Please feel free to comment and should you enjoy the content, share and subscribe.
Click here for Instagram
Till next time…
Ciao 👋
Talya Amati Lewis
Photography is a language we all speak. No translation needed…📸
Thanks for reading Amati Photography Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
I’ll research a technology item for months before making a purchase. Once I’ve received it, I sometimes worry that I’ve made the wrong choice, or that something better will soon be released. At least the research phase is guilt-free—aside from what can be a significant waste of time. Street photography is a bit like that for me. The satisfaction of taking a shot worth keeping is soon overtaken by the desire to capture something better.
The third photo is my favourite because of the beautiful colours. The first photo could be an illustration for Buy Nothing Day.