I like to tell people that my favorite time of the year to photograph is when the days are short and the shadows are long. Winter, after all, is a great time to experience the wonders of the desert southwest.
        

        Being human, we possess an awareness of the concept of time. As we age, this awareness only becomes more acute. I believe this is why photography appeals to so many people. When we watch a sunrise that happens to be especially colorful or mesmerizing, we may remember it for a few weeks, or even a few years. But that same sunrise will never occur again. It will remain only as a memory, and that memory will eventually fade and be lost to us. However, when we photograph a sunrise, or a child's 1st birthday party, or a pet behaving in an adorable manner, we are capturing those moments in time, potentially forever. 
        Not only does photography help us to keep a visual reminder of our past and present, but it also allows us to share our life experiences with others in the future.
        

        For me, photography has been a way to preserve moments in nature (as well as the occasional event or portrait) and show people things that they may have never had the chance to see for themselves.
       

        So, whether you use professional photography equipment to create an image that you've been planning for months, or you simply snap a quick photo of something interesting in your daily life using your phone, photography appeals to most of us on some level.