I am one of those annoying people who would photograph almost anything, given the chance and a patient companion.

“Stuff” wears out. Dishes break, linens grow threadbare, furniture sags. The extraordinary memories of  your travels, near and far, will stay. And with photos, you can call them up any time you need to—to share a story, evoke a knowing smile, inject a little energy into a droopy Tuesday, or pull yourself out of a funk.

The integration of the cell phone into virtually every moment of our lives has many, many drawbacks. The ease with which you can photograph people, places, and things you love is not among them.

Photo: A Florence moment, in the courtyard of the magical Hotel Monna Lisa. Yes, in Italian, it’s two n’s.