Some days it’s hard to write.

You’re feeling uninspired and the well is momentarily dry.

Maybe it’s because you didn’t plan today’s post in advance and you’re scrambling for something to muse about. Maybe the current state of affairs in the world leaves you feeling drained and empty.

Whatever the reason, I can usually find ideas from several reliable sources that spark creativity. The two that come to mind today, World Photo Day, are pictures and the Hashtag Holiday calendar.

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Photography

Photos often elicit emotional responses based on the subject matter. Animals engaged in silly behavior tickle our funny bones. Misty forests and empty beaches evoke calm. Devastation from acts of terrorism startle our very souls. 

Our own family albums are robust with memories of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and graduations. These are the right-of-passage celebrations routinely captured for an honored spot in the pages of our personal history books.

But, what about those mundane occasions that I call “still-shot” moments? In a flash they transport us back, sometimes decades, to a time and place that make us feel like it was just last week. 

I have many of these pictures. One is of my brother and I flying a kite in the neighborhood field. It was the early 70s. There are a few patches of snow still clinging intermittently to the brown grass, signaling what was probably a March day. I remember those spring seasons as being more drawn out; alternating between light snowfalls, chilly rain showers and winds that signaled a change was eventually coming.

Recognizing our plaid coats and winter boots, I can almost feel the dampness from that cold, overcast day. The kite was a Jolly Roger pirate design and the sound of its thin plastic rattling against the gusty breezes echo in my mind. I can see my Dad’s face, a young father in his forties, wanting to capture a time that he knew would be gone too soon.

The old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” despite being overused, is nonetheless true. Photos are powerful and impact both our senses and memories, sources ripe for creative endeavors like writing. 

If you’re stuck for inspiration check out some images. Websites like National Geographic, NASA, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are just a few of the endless opportunities found on the Internet. Even a scroll through stock photo sites can jostle ideas about topics you hadn’t considered before.

And don’t forget the family photo albums. You may start out looking for something specific to write about and find a dozen other unrelated gems!

Hashtag Holidays

Long before the Internet, nonprofits and global entities created “awareness days” to educate the public on important local and global issues. 

Fast forward to 2020 and these awareness days have morphed into hashtag commemorations. These unofficial holidays work well with social media, which uses hashtags, or labels, to easily group information with specific themes or content. They are a great tool for brands to reach their target audiences, while the public can connect and share with businesses and each other. 

You can find a hashtag holiday for just about any category:

• Animals
• Art & Entertainment
• Cause
• Culture
• Food & Beverage
• Health
• Relationships
• Religion
• Seasonal
• Special Interest

The sub-categories are endless. Some examples:

• National Walking Day – (Health)
• National Bloody Mary Day – (Food & Beverage > Cocktails, Liquor)
• National Hat Day – (Arts & Entertainment > Fashion)
• National Cuddle Up Day – (Relationships > Love, Romance)
• National Squirrel Appreciation Day – (Animals > Pet, Wildlife)
• National Oreo Cookie Day – (Special Interest > Brand)

With so many subjects to choose from, it’s easy to pair an observance with a topic you’re considering. Or, it may just prompt an entirely new idea!

So, for #WorldPhotoDay I’m including a few of my own favorite captures, taken with an iPhone. As I go through the camera roll I’ll keep an eye out for any random ideas that come to mind. 

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there’s a wealth of material in front of us at any given moment. Some days we just have to look a little harder.