The Canon powershot s45 digital camera is an elegant and smart camera. It’s one I can carry everywhere, to document those special moments in my life. Friends, family, places I’ve been and special times I’ve experienced are all captured in photographs.

I can still remember the day I received my first camera. It was a gift from my parents for Christmas when I was 10. I was pretty fired up to have my very own camera! As a kid who moved a great deal, it was cool to know I would always be able to take my memories with me. It was often lonely having a dad in the military, because we moved so often.

As my father’s career took us across the country and to Europe I snapped photographs of all sorts of things. I have photos of my family visiting all kinds of tourist spots, on the Atlantic, Pacific and everywhere in between. Once we moved overseas, I discovered even more opportunities to whip out the camera — skiing, Volksmarches, Eurailing and all the famous European landmarks.

On my dad’s side I come from an enormous Irish family. My dad’s first cousins alone numbered almost 100. And I have pictures — of my grandmother, aunts and uncles, of first cousins, second cousins and once-removed, and of all the birthdays, holidays and other events that families celebrate together. Because of my camera I carry my extended family with me anywhere I go.

Then along came digital photography and it appeared my camera had new possibility. I loved how effortless it was now to share pictures — with no trip to the mail box. A few minutes on the computer and I could send my photographs to whoever I wanted to. Of course, who does need a little photoshop help every now and then? How cool to be able to manage red eye, fiddle with contrast and so much more, right from my desk!

Life is different; I’m no longer a teenager, travelling with my parents, but I have kids of my own. The memories I attain are different, but my camera is even now forever with me. Now I can chronicle all the changeds in my growing family, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there are still all the family celebrations that make our lives so rich.

As far as family goes, our description is changed from the conventional meaning; we didn’t live near much physical family but we manage to find friends that grow to be family. My camera helps me to hang on to these memories for not only myself, but my family, and all the folks that share in my photos.

I have a friend who recently sought my input when buying a camera. Well, after all the pictures I’ve taken and the cameras I’ve owned, the Canon powershot s45 digital camera is my pick. When I consider the reminiscences it captures — my loved ones, my history, my future — that’s a lot to measure up to.