Why I'm Taking The Summer Off...

Hi everyone,

I’ve decided to take a break from social media this summer, and to a large extent, from landscape photography as well. I wanted to share my reasons for this decision and what I hope to achieve during this time.

Firstly, summer is my least favourite season for landscape photography. The very early sunrises, late sunsets, and frequent harsh sunlight and blue skies don’t offer the best conditions for the kind of images I enjoy creating. Like most years, I find my motivation to get out with the camera wanes during the summer months.

Secondly, my decision is partly related to photography and partly to social media. I’ve been active on social media for over a decade, and for much of that time, it has had a positive influence on my work—encouraging me to improve my skills and inspiring me to get out and shoot regularly. However, lately I’ve noticed a shift. I increasingly find myself chasing the types of images that perform well on social media—typically sunrises and sunsets—rather than focusing on the photography that truly satisfies me. Posting regularly has started to feel like a chore, and I often find myself heading out in less-than-ideal conditions just to keep my content stream going, sometimes with mediocre results. Feeling that I need to prioritise quantity over quality is not very fulfilling.

Thirdly, I’ve been reflecting on the purpose of social media. For years, it was a joy to use—I received lots of positive feedback, my follower count grew steadily, and I felt a genuine sense of connection. However, changes to platform algorithms mean that photography accounts are no longer favoured; video is now king. As a result, my follower numbers have stagnated or even declined, and engagement on even my best work has dropped significantly. This lack of interaction undermines the whole point of social media for me and is increasingly demotivating. To put things in perspective, out of the 1,100 visitors to my website last month—the main source of my paid work—fewer than ten came via social media. Ultimately this makes me question the value of the half-day a week I spend preparing and posting images and interacting online.

So, for the next few months, I’ll be stepping back from social media and landscape photography while I consider the future direction of my work and the role social media will play in my photography business. I do have a landscape photography book to finish, so I certainly won’t be sitting idle!

Thank you to everyone who regularly interacts with me on social media and enjoys my work. I may return in some form in the future, but in the meantime, any new photos I take will be available in my website galleries.

Have a great summer!

Gary

23rd May 2025

About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.