Some milestones are special not just because of the numbers behind them, but because of the journey it takes to achieve them.
I have finally earned the Master Director badge on Google Maps. This badge recognises Local Guides who have uploaded 1,000 videos, added videos of at least 100 places, and earned a minimum of one million views. I have crossed that last milestone with 1.8 million views of 1010 videos for 221 places !
What makes this achievement particularly special is that video has never come naturally to me. I have always been passionate about photography, and I firmly believe that a well-composed photograph can often tell a story more powerfully than a 30-second video. For me, capturing that one perfect frame is an art; recording a video sometimes feels more like a chore! Yet, the spirit of being a Local Guide is also about stepping beyond one’s comfort zone, experimenting with different ways of documenting places, and helping others discover the world through our contributions.
This badge, therefore, is more than a recognition of the videos I have uploaded. It is a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding journeys take us beyond our natural preferences.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has watched my videos, shared their views, offered encouragement, and supported me along the way esp @TravellerG with his “video first” suggestion. Every view has been a little encouragement to keep going, even when the camera in my hand would much rather take a photograph than record a video!
I may always remain a photographer at heart, but today, I am happy to celebrate the director in me. Here’s to capturing more places, preserving more memories, and continuing to contribute to the wonderful world of Google Maps Local Guides.
One frame at a time, one video at a time, one story at a time.
