Photography has been around for more than two hundred years, capturing moments in time that are forever immortalized with a click and a flash. As technology evolves, cameras can now easily take high-resolution pictures that don’t require any effort whatsoever to develop or share. Editing and filtering apps are plentiful and can help photographers stylize and perfect any image. However, the resurgence of Polaroid cameras has sparked a throwback trend toward imperfect photography. The joy of Polaroid photography is based on its flaws, its spontaneity, and the fun of bringing back what’s old as new again.

Unlike professional cameras or phone cameras, Polaroid cameras are not super-accurate or predictable. Pictures often end up with odd lighting that creates high contrast between the subject and background. Because the photo cannot be edited, the camera captures the true essence of the moment. This type of unfiltered reality is so rare in today’s photography that Polaroids can be a refreshing break from the constant perfection we see on social media.

“Phones are boring, social media is so fake, but with Polaroids you can’t fake it,” said Viraaj Pasricha ’28.

Since the point is imperfection, people can grab their Polaroid camera and click away without worrying about the precise angle, lighting, background, or even their smile.

Polaroids are also gratifying and are a different way to share and remember special moments. Our grandparents and even our parents collected printed pictures to document their good times, but few our age have photo albums.

“They’re so much more precious than digital photos,” said Pasricha.

By taking a bunch of Polaroid pictures at an event, friends can each take some home, pin them up on the wall, and enjoy looking at them in a completely different way than staring at their device.

Ultimately, Polaroids have become so popular due to the recycling of trends. Clothing styles from the 1980s are trendy, and old-school cars like the Trans Am and IROC are coveted again. So it’s not surprising that trendy stores are selling Polaroid cameras and film while playing Tears for Fears in the background. Maybe one day our grandkids will dig up our phones and call them vintage!