Musings on my #newday posts
I went for many long walks during COVID with my iPhone camera in hand. I took pictures of nature in my townhome's backyard open space. There are creeks, bridges, and ponds. There are birds, ducks, and geese. There is a change of seasons, from colorful fall leaves on tree branches in the fall to pristine white snow branches in the winter to green budding branches in the spring and summer.
I decided to post a picture daily on FaceBook and Instagram using a #newday hashtag. The captures touched a handful of people who could not go outdoors and told me they looked forward to my posts each day. I was touched.
I continued the practice and expanded the scenery by going for walks at the beach at sunrise, nature areas at sunset, forest preserves on cloudy days, and the local botanic gardens at the change of seasons. Sometimes, I take 20 to 100 captures of one scene and choose the best one to publish. Sometimes, I touch up the photos and straighten the horizon line or remove objects that detract from the beauty of the capture. When I capture a scene, I often use the iPhone technology to focus on the area that should be a focal point.
Thousands of brilliant iPhone photographers with thousands of followers take and share stunning photos. Fewer than 100 friends consistently like and comment on each of my images. I am sure others see and appreciate my daily offering and do not comment.
Sometimes, I create stories set to music for the captures, and sometimes, I produce longer reels. I am thrilled that I have reached a wider audience. It is a gift that I am privileged to capture and share this beautiful scenery.
Since this activity is intuitive and fulfilling, I seldom think about the process of capturing and sharing my #newday posts. The components of the process are observation, point of view, reflection, and presentation. And I might add realistic expectations.
I observe what is in front of me and reflect on my content as I choose the one picture that will land in the inboxes of my connections. When selecting one image, I consider the audience's point of view. I double-check that I am presenting the picture in the best way possible. I am not trying to grow my following, yet I trust it will grow organically over time. People who will enjoy my pictures will gravitate towards them.
There are many parallels between taking pictures and ghostwriting. In many ways, consistently taking photographs, considering the audience, focusing on the central theme or story, and presenting the photos in the best way possible to a specific audience has made me a better ghostwriter. I would love to help you tell your story in your voice to your desired audience, focusing on what stories, thoughts, value propositions, or legacy are most important to you.