As photographers we are experiencing what we photograph while we are creating a photograph.
We experience what we photograph with all of our senses and usually we experience thoughts and feelings about what we are experiencing.
Depending on the intent of our photography, we can make photographs of things as they are, or we can make photographs based on how we think about how things are (emotions/feeling/opinions).
Making photographs of things as they are is akin to the intent of a photojournalist.
Making photographs based on how we think about how things are (emotions/feeling/opinions is akin to the intent of an artist.