Use a dedicated camera for photography instead of a phone

A point-and-shoot camera keeps photography intentional and keeps the phone out of social environments.

Why it works

Taking photos with a phone normalizes phone-out behavior in social and present-moment situations, which lowers the threshold for all phone use in those contexts. A dedicated camera — even a cheap one — makes photography a distinct, intentional act rather than a gateway to general phone use. It also signals to others in the group that you are not available to messages.

How to do it

1. Choose a compact camera that fits in a pocket or bag — it does not need to be expensive.
2. Take it to events and occasions where you want to document without being pulled into the phone.
3. Leave the photo-sharing for later: the camera is for capturing, not posting.

Evidence

Phone use in social settings is associated with reduced conversation quality and presence; the dedicated-camera approach addresses this by decoupling photography from general phone access. (anecdotal)

This is practitioner advice; no controlled studies compare social presence or photography satisfaction for phone versus dedicated camera users in real-world settings.

Common mistake

Using the camera as a rule ("I’m using the camera, not the phone") but then pulling out the phone to share photos immediately — which recreates the checking context.