Capturing Moments: My journey through the lens

Hi! My name is Margaret Churchill, but friends usually call me Maggie or Margie. I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, a vibrant city that never seems to slow down. I’m a curious soul who finds joy in the simple things — whether it’s reading a good book, watching movies, listening to music, traveling, working out, or just wandering the streets of my city. Over time, one passion has stood out and stayed with me the longest: photography.

Lately, I’ve found myself drawn to slow, mindful walks around the city, visiting secondhand bookstores, discovering new cafés, or spending time in library cafés where I can read and work. Jakarta may be hectic, but if you slow down, it has a lot of charm and beauty to offer. For me, this city is a living canvas, full of hidden corners, textures, colors, and everyday moments worth capturing.

My love for photography started when I was a child, thanks to my grandparents. They were both passionate photographers and introduced me to the world of analog cameras, the kind that used big wooden boxes and film, even a camera obscura. Watching how light could turn into an image, and how that image could be preserved on paper, completely fascinated me as a little girl. That wonder has never left.

About ten years ago, I bought my first personal camera: the Olympus Stylus XZ-10. It was small, stylish, and filled with features that truly sparked my creativity. I was especially drawn to the filters — grainy film, light tone, pinhole, diorama, and more — each one adding its own atmosphere to the photo. Whether I’m capturing city lights at night, a candid street scene, or a quiet moment in a café, those filters help express exactly how I felt in that moment.

More recently, I’ve also started using the Instax Mini Evo, a hybrid instant camera that combines digital features with the charm of instant prints. While both cameras support creative expression through filters, they serve very different experiences. The Olympus XZ-10 gives me more flexibility in adjusting exposure, scene modes, and digital settings, allowing deeper control over how I capture and edit an image. It’s great for experimenting with light and composition, especially when I want a polished, artistic photo for my archive or digital collection.

The Instax Mini Evo, on the other hand, invites more playful spontaneity. It offers 10 lens effects and 10 film effects that you can mix and match — giving you 100 combinations to explore. It’s less about perfection and more about capturing mood and fun in the moment. The best part? I can print a photo instantly when it feels just right, and I love the feeling of holding a memory in my hand seconds after capturing it. It brings a tactile joy to photography that digital alone sometimes lacks.

Unlike many people today, I still prefer using compact digital and hybrid cameras over smartphones. Don’t get me wrong, phone cameras are powerful and convenient, but they often feel too automatic. I enjoy the hands-on experience of using a camera that gives me control, character, and creative space. Plus, both my Olympus and Instax are compact enough to slip into any bag, so I can always be ready to capture a special moment.

Photography has become my way of understanding the world. Through the lens, I slow down, observe, and connect with the beauty and emotion of each scene. It helps me notice things I might otherwise overlook — the play of shadows on a wall, the quiet emotion on a stranger’s face, or the way light filters through a café window. Every photo is a reflection of how I see and feel the world around me.

I carry my cameras every day, not just when I travel, but also during my daily life. There’s beauty in the ordinary: people crossing the street, sunlight hitting a wall, notes left on café tables. These are the little stories I love to capture.

In a world that’s rushing back to vintage, film-inspired photography, it makes me happy to see people rediscovering the charm of digital compacts and instant cameras. For me, it’s not just about aesthetic or trend, it’s about intention, connection, and joy.

As long as I have a camera with me — whether it’s my Olympus or my Instax — I know I’ll keep discovering new ways to see, feel, and remember the world around me.