I love quotes. I love photography. Like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich- they are “perfect” when paired together. I am confident that I am not the only one who thinks that the combination of a witty or motivational statement superimposed on a whimsical or lovely photo can make you smile or feel inspired. In fact, social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have dedicated days that lend themselves to just these type of posts with images –  #MondayMotivation #TuesdayTravel #WednesdayWisdom #TBT (Throw Back Thursday) and more.

Never one to miss an opportunity to showcase my favorite photography, I have embraced creating images with my own or others’ quotes as passionately as I have ingested many a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Related:  Check out this link that “highlights” my “famous quotes”. 

In the social media world there are people who are content creators (people who use their skills to create engaging posts.). There also are people who are known as social media influencers. This second group are folks who have an audience that reacts – usually  positively (and often profitably) – to the endorsement or reviews posted by the influencer.  Some may say I am both. But, if I have to pick one- I would love to be known as a content creator.  I think developing fun and meaningful messaging on social media posts for my own or another’s brand leaves far more a lasting impression than endorsing product after product after product. My favorite is when you can meld the two together- such as working for a brand that wants you to promote a social good / philanthropic agenda.  Or if the brand has an interesting story to tell – that is heart- wrenching, inspirational, or teaches a life lesson. Plus, posting on your own social media platforms images or video that you have created, is for a person like me, an enormous amount of fun!

Photos taken in unique places are often my favorite backgrounds for posts with quotes.

 

 

 

I also like to create posts that promote education and travel together

 

 

 

Sometimes you can forgo a quote because the objects in the photo are message enough

 

 

Or nature provides you the perfect composition and no words are needed

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget that people make great social media photo posts, too!

Lastly, a photo for a social media post can include people! Some of my favorite photos are not the ones that are posed, but the candids of friends taking a photo of themselves as they live – “in the moment”.  Below is  Marlee Matlin and her interpreter, Jack  with Camryn Manheim (center) at the Nyle DiMarco Foundation party in Los Angeles in 2016. Just look at their joy!

 

Last thoughts…

Social media allows you an avenue for creativity to flow from your brain to the world wide web! I would be remiss if I didn’t conclude this post with a few cautionary tales…

1. Be sure you have permission to post photos of people.  Especially those who are not adults, but minors.  It is just common courtesy to skip posting a photo with people who happen to be in the background without their permission. At the very least, blur their faces. Portrait mode on a camera can help focus on the subject matter or people you wish to capture and not ancillary folks!
2. Limit the selfies!  Enough said.
3. Every moment doesn’t need to be photographed. Nor does it need to be to shared on social media. Especially each and every milestone of your life or that of your child’s.
4. Put your name on photos that you care about or have them watermarked.  I had the misfortune of having my photos “hijacked” by another social media poster. UGH
5. Give credit to photos that you use from others. So, if you have a photographer helping you at an event and use their photos- credit them! If you use stock photos- acknowledge that, as well.
6. You don’t need a fancy camera – although that helps. I use either my OLD Nikon 60 or my iPhone.  Once in a while I will grab my Samsung phone/ NOTE because the camera is so amazing!
7. Simply enjoy the creative process. I may not be a “top photographer”, but I enjoy photography and am hoping others enjoy my efforts.

 

A few more to close out this post…

 

 

 

This post dedicated to my dear friends, Sue and Bob, who over dinner last week complimented my travel photography .  Thanks for the encouragement, laughter and sharing the baklava!