Real life is a pain in the ass. That’s why it’s worth it.

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Digitization has made everything too convenient – from lunch, to a lift, to love itself. But only by going through physical, painful, slow and frustrating moments, can we experience the true beauty of real life.

Real life—like analog photography—is challenging and rewarding.

To prove it, we asked photographers from around the world to document the challenging realities they face in order to live their awe-inspiring lives. And whether they’d change a thing (hint: they wouldn’t).

“[We] sleep backstage and watch the sunrise from the highway. ... All of that is worth it.”

CJ Harvey, USA

CJ lives out of her comfort zone (and her suitcase).

After ten years documenting touring bands, CJ is living proof that to make the gig—and get the shot—you gotta live out of your comfort zone (and your suitcase).

We gave her our most take-anywhere-able camera yet—the Polaroid Go Gen 2—to document the many physical experiences the digital world will never replace. Want to document the ups and downs of your adventure?

Capture real life on the Go.

“Skateboarding is a pain in the ass, but we love it.”

Vitória Mendonça, Brazil

Failure isn’t a part of the sport. It is the sport.

To borrow Vitória’s words: Skateboarders like to suffer. Failure isn’t just a part of the sport – it is the sport. By carrying our super-portable Go Gen 2 around on a skate day, Vitoria documents how all that pain is worth it for the one moment you nail it. Trick or picture. Want to chase the feeling of achievement?

Capture real life on the Go.

“Despite all [the frustrations] people become parents again and again - all over the world.”

Katie Silvester, UK

Kids are as frustrating as they are rewarding.

Having kids is equally challenging as it is rewarding. But are the two related? Katie Silvester interviewed her sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew to find out if all that frustration is worth it in the end – documenting the entire process on the easy-to-use Polaroid Now Gen 2 (when she could wrestle it away from the kids). Want an easy-to-use camera for life’s growing moments?

Capture real life on the Now.

“Venturing into the unknown can surprise you. And become a cleansing of the soul.”

Ry Shorosky, USA

The open road is a beautifully lonely place.

Nothing encapsulates “a slower way of life” than trucking through the American Midwest, Polaroid Now+ on your hip. Through his creative use of the Now+ app-connectivity and filters, Ry Shorosky explores how an exploratory approach to life—and photography—can be both isolating and exhilarating. Want to explore your creativity?

Capture real life on the Now+.