Sharing the World As I See It - What Local Guides Means to Me

Google Maps contribution stories
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Local Guides helps me share the world as I see it. I am a photographer. I have been taking pictures of things since I was a young child. A good image can transport you to a place in a way that words alone fail. And that is what I love most about Local Guides – I can use my craft to help people get out and explore the world.

That’s a very young me with my first camera. And a slightly older, but still young, me working in a dark room back in the “film” days.
That’s a very young me with my first camera. And a slightly older, but still young, me working in a dark room back in the “film” days.1936×1936 800 KB

I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling, and just finished up a one-year tour covering 23 of the 50 US states. I enjoy the exploration and using Local Guides as a way to share those discoveries. Want to know a great place on the Oregon coast to get a crab and cheese sandwich? How to get to that iconic spot to capture a classic pic of the Golden Gate Bridge? The must-see spots in Yellowstone National Park? Your best shot at getting up close and personal with a River Otter? All of these stories and more can be found in my Local Guides posts.

Griff’s on The Dock (see the list Best Restaurants Along the Oregon Coast); West Thumb Geyser Basin – Yellowstone National Park, The Golden Gate from Battery Spencer, The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon
Griff’s on The Dock (see the list Best Restaurants Along the Oregon Coast); West Thumb Geyser Basin – Yellowstone National Park, The Golden Gate from Battery Spencer, The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon1936×1936 791 KB

When my photos received over 10 million views on Google Maps it blew my mind! That is an almost inconceivable number of eyeballs looking at my work. It makes me so happy to think that my pictures help inform people how to best spend their precious time and money. I’m also amazed at what people chose to look at! My most viewed image – a collection of paper lanterns at a tiny hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa has been viewed over 500,000 times. I also appreciate the exposure that Local Guides provides to these small, “mom and pop,” enterprises that otherwise would likely be overlooked.

Images are powerful. You never know what is going to capture people’s attention – color, patterns, texture. These paper lanterns have been viewed over half a million times.
Images are powerful. You never know what is going to capture people’s attention – color, patterns, texture. These paper lanterns have been viewed over half a million times.1155×899 277 KB

I love to explore and find those perfect vantage points, the wonderful eateries, the quirky, rare and unusual - and then share them with the world for others to enjoy! That is what Local Guides means to me. I hope to see you out there!

The Oregon Coast; Wild Donkeys of Custer State Park, Need a sugar fix? Voodoo Donut is always a good choice; Shoshone Falls, Idaho.
The Oregon Coast; Wild Donkeys of Custer State Park, Need a sugar fix? Voodoo Donut is always a good choice; Shoshone Falls, Idaho.1936×1936 992 KB

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Hello @Dillomaster it looks like your post was accidentally caught in our spamfilter (which is pretty strict here; it can be triggered even by simply making edits to a recently published post). I have now released it from the spam folder.

Best of luck with your application for Connect Live!

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@JanVanHaver Thank you so much for catching my post in the SPAM filter! Yes, I had done an edit to change the category to Local Stories. Good catch!!

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