visiting the golden gate bridge

I found these images I shot in art school a while back. I was doing a project on the golden gate bridge and the magnetic effect it has on people. What is it about having your picture taken somewhere that deepens your experience of that place? Is it a confirmation that you were there, or an affirmation of a life well lived?

If you don't record the experience with a photograph, and then forget about it, did it really even happen?