11-13-2018 10:22 AM - edited 11-13-2018 10:36 AM
People often take photos because they are experiencing something interesting and want to document that moment. Photography is a powerful communication tool that can stir our emotions, but it can also be informative.
I’m amazed by the ways Local Guides like you are using photography to make a positive impact. The photos you share on Google Maps provide helpful information to others who visit that same location. From accessible entrances to gluten-free dishes, the photos you share on Google Maps can help others find great places to go that suit their needs.
Here are some amazing ways Local Guides are using photography to help others.
1. Capturing accessibility
Caption: A photo of an accessible parking spot near an escalator in a parking garage in Isla Cristina, Spain. (Local Guide Alejandra B)
Local Guides are making a difference around the world by capturing accessible information wherever they go and sharing those photos on Google Maps. Whether it’s railings in restrooms or wheelchair-accessible ramps, these images help aid people with mobility issues in navigating to where they want to go.
Caption: A photo of an outdoor accessible ramp next to stairs at MNC Studios in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Local Guide Suparno Jumar)
2. Photographing kid-friendly locations
Caption: A photo of a children’s toy cars and jungle gym equipment at Chevy Chase Recreation Center, Washington, D.C., USA. (Local Guide Mike Samras)Finding great places to go with your kids in an unfamiliar place can be challenging. Local Guides show parents kid-friendly things to do through their photos of jungle gyms, museum exhibits, and more. At restaurants, photos of high chairs or a kid’s menu show that it accommodates families with children. These photos make it easier for parents to discover places to spend quality time with their kids.
Caption: A photo of a variety of strollers parked inside the Zimmer Children's Museum in Los Angeles, California, USA. (Local Guide Amir Khamesi)
3. Documenting pet-friendly places
Caption: A dog on a leash walking on a field with hills in the background at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Scotland, U.K. (Local Guide Scott Mcginty)
As a “dog mom” to a chihuahua-terrier, I love taking my dog with me on my adventures whenever possible. Pet owners like me look at the photos and reviews Local Guides share on Maps to discover great parks, restaurants, and more to go to with our furry friends!
Caption: A photo of two corgis sitting on the floor next to two occupied tables at La Lumière 路靡也, a restaurant in Taichung City, Taiwan. (Local Guide Ryan Lin)
4. Taking great photos of food for people with dietary restrictions
Caption: A photo of a person across the table from a vegetable dish, holding a fork over a bowl of salad at The Butcher’s Daughter, a vegetarian restaurant in New York City. (Local Guide Marcela Turner)
Another way Local Guides are making a positive impact through photography is by capturing meals that people with dietary restrictions can eat at restaurants. Some examples include gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan dishes. Most of my family is vegetarian and vegan, and seeing photos of fresh, healthy meals captured by Local Guides can help us know where to go eat!
Caption: A variety of colorful gluten-free Vietnamese dishes with chopsticks and a fruit drink at Little V Den Haag, a restaurant in The Hague, Netherlands. (Local Guide Benjamin Richardson)
How do the photos your share on Google Maps make a positive impact? Tell us in the comments below!