Announcements Page

Hi! After enjoying a three-month break from social media, I’ve decided to ease back in to landscape photography - and social media - though definitely not in the same way as before. This time, the goal is to share my work and experiences without slipping back into the old, exhausting routines of trying to do two landscape shoots per week, just to get content and sharing it on multiple platforms (with decreasing followers and interactions). Instead I plan to put the photography that I want to do first, and push social media into a definite second  place!

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I’ve decided to simplify things and focus exclusively on Instagram for sharing new photography work, at least for now, and that means that I will no longer be posting to Facebook, X or Bluesky, at least for the time being.

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Most weeks, I will  aim for one photo trip, and if I manage it, the images will feature in a ‘Sunday vote’ the following weekend on Instagram—giving my followers a chance to pick their favourite shot, just like before. If I don't manage to get out, then there won't be a Sunday post. There’s a possibility that I’ll also share individual photos from these outings, with a bit of behind-the-scenes insight into the process and the techniques behind each image, in the days leading up to the vote. However, this additional content may not start straight away.

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After three months of barely picking up my camera outside of client work, I’m looking forward to rediscovering the enjoyment of landscape photography, whilst drastically reducing the time spent on social media. Honestly, I haven’t missed the constant posting, and being quieter online seems to have done little to affect my bookings. Stepping away has made it clear just how exhausting the social media routine had become—trying to create new content, juggling platforms, and chasing likes is something many photographers find draining. It’s easy for the pressure to take over, causing burnout and sapping the creativity from what should be an enjoyable process. I’m certainly not alone in feeling this way.

 

The pursuit of more engagement—likes, reach, endless updates—often distracts from simply making good images and enjoying the process. I’m shifting my focus towards thoughtful photography, mainly fine art and long exposure, choosing projects that genuinely interest me rather than forcing sunrise outings just for social media appeal. Each shoot will tell its own story, including the classic hero shots and quieter, behind-the-scenes moments.

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By committing solely to Instagram and stepping back from other platforms, I can avoid the old cycle of daily posting and chasing numbers. My aim now is to share less often, highlight the strongest work from each trip, and offer a bit more insight into how the images come about.

 

The ‘Sunday vote’ will continue as a way to involve those following along, but only when I have new material to share—there won’t always be a post every week. Ultimately, I’m hoping this shift helps me reconnect with the reasons I started photographing landscapes—to enjoy the creative process and share genuine moments—while also making interactions online feel more meaningful and personal.

 

Thanks for sticking with me; I’m looking forward to sharing work in a way that feels right for both myself and anyone following along. And just to show that I have already started getting out with the camera, below is a photo from the Dartmouth firework display last weekend, which may appear on Instagram soon.

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Gary Holpin