Photography is what I love to contribute the most to Google Maps.
I love what a single image can show. What stories they can tell. What hidden gems they can shine. I love how a single image can sell you on a destination; perhaps from the water views or the look of their nachos. My favorite pictures are of places I enjoy going to the most though. I feel like in a way, I can give back to that establishment or park if I post an image that may bring in new faces through the door. I have been making pictures since I was three years old with my moms’ old film cameras. I still, till this day, shoot on film and have even uploaded some of those images onto Google Maps. I believe it is rare in a digital era, but can’t help to think of a cherished memory a fellow Google Map user may remember from seeing a 35mm film image of an iconic location.
Although I reside in Miami, I head down to the Florida Keys often. Being only an hour drive, I also consider myself a Local Guide down there, perhaps more than my own hometown. Being from Florida, I am also a sucker for a nice sunset on the water while listening to live music. I have posted many sunsets on Google Maps. Especially from local restaurants that can always see new faces coming through their establishment.
I have also posted long exposures or black and white images. Sometimes the right black and white image can add drama and emotion to a location and make you see something in a way you haven’t previously.
My hope is that a person may come across an image of mine and give them the urge to go see it in person for themselves. To make their own image, their own memory of the same spot and in turn, perhaps stumble on a new park/restaurant/venue to explore that may await just past that spot.
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Thanks for the response @brittym on my 35mm film post. I’ll have to connect with @SP31 someday when there is a local meetup.
Also, West Palm Beach is so close, but yet so different. Always feels like you traveled across an entire state from how different it can be. Very nice area, need to head up there more often. So much easier now with the new train.
@infinitepixels Yes! The Brightline train is awesome! A smooth, clean, luxury ride with incredibly friendly staff and gorgeous stations! Plus they email out a lot of discounts. There are discounts next weekend to go to/from SunFest music festival I also caught a discount using it during South Beach Food & Wine Festival.
@brittym it really is great. Must be great to avoid some of the headaches of trying to find parking in South Beach for the SoBe Food & Wine Festival. I took it a few weeks back for a blues concert up in Ft. Lauderdale. There was also a code at the bottom of the concert ticket for a Brightline discount. The venue was walking distance from the station. Will definitely repeat. Virgin bought it now, so it may change a little, hopefully, nothing more than maybe the Virgin colors.
Thanks for the tag, @brittym ! Hey there @infinitepixels - loved reading about your background and what drives you as a Guide. That photo of the Freedom Tower is excellent!
Haven’t been able to have any meet-ups recently but adding ya to my Connect List of Miami Guides! Hopefully this summer or in the following months I can get something up. Would be great to connect!
You do need to be a little bit patient to use film photos with Maps. When you get the scans back weeks later you have to remember why you took them in the first place and where it was @brittym
I want to introduce you to a fellow Miami Local Guide, 
I also caught a discount using it during South Beach Food & Wine Festival.
now THAT is an incredible idea! 
I knew 