It's OK NOT to Share Your Photos Online!

I write this as I feel a dwindling love of social media and photo-sharing sites. Maybe it’s just a personal feeling that I’m letting out, but I’m sitting here thinking - “I don’t feel the need to share my photos much anymore.”

Does anyone else feel the same? Let me explain why.

Why I’m Stopping Sharing My Photos Online

The competitiveness of pro photographers online can be a breeding ground for demotivation, anxiety, and general negativity. Don’t get me wrong, I know social media can be a force for good, but that feeling is passing.

What do we get out of sharing our photos online whether you’re pros or not? It used to be a platform to get attention and hopefully opportunity but with so many bad copies, over-cooked trends, adverts, and videos it’s nearly impossible to guarantee your followers see your images now.

Do You Need to Share Your Photos Online?

The other thing I’ve been thinking about is the point of the image in the first place. I never take photos for people on social media.

I took them because I wanted those memories so aren’t they most important to me?

I feel more content with posting images on my website just for my own record and reflections. Of course, I could do all this offline too I know that, but a website gives me more control over the presentation, arrangement, and a chance for me to frame the stories behind the images.

Will I Change My Mind?

Maybe, hopefully, there’ll be a change in approach to social media and photo sharing in the future, but it doesn’t feel imminent does it?

I’m still holding out hope that someone creates the right type of platform for photographers which uses the values of early social media - it’s a big and tough ask I know, but here’s hoping.

I’ll continue to take photographs of course, but I’m going to swerve the sharing platforms. If you want to say hello, the contact page is the place.