When a Photography Hobby Gets Ideas Above Its Station

I started Scotland in Frame because I loved to take and share photographs.

It really was as simple as that and then, somewhere along the journey, though, something changed.

The photographs began connecting me to people, places and businesses in ways I hadn't expected or even thought about. People started engaging with the images, sharing them, wanting to buy them (and I didn't have a clue how to setup for this) and following Scotland in Frame across several different social media channels.

When I reflect on the last year or so and then detail out just some of the things that have happened:

Prints are now being sold from the wonderful Wemyss Bay Station Bookshop, right inside one of the most beautiful (and my favourite) railway stations in the UK.

I have two images coming up for exhibition in Glasgow in November.

My work is hanging on the walls of local businesses, including  The PictureHoose, where customers can discover and buy the images directly using QR codes.

One of my photographs ('Before the Breeze') was used as part of a marriage proposal.

Another photograph ('Sunset over Luskentyre') inspired someone to make the journey from rural England to the Outer Hebrides to experience the landscape for themselves.

Six of my framed Millport images were displayed for sale at Fintry Bay Café. All six sold, and I've just received a full repeat order for another six.

Then there's the Scotland in Frame 2027 Calendar.

More than 1,000 votes were cast to help choose the photographs that would appear in it, and more than 40% of the entire limited print run has already sold - months before 2027 has even arrived, this is crazy!

And somehow, across Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads and LinkedIn, the combined Scotland in Frame social media community has now grown to more than 10,000 followers and connections. This means that there are even more messages, conversations and stories behind these numbers.

I absolutely love:

Seeing one of my photographs hanging in someone's home on the other side of the Atlantic.

Someone telling me that a calendar has given them ideas for places they'd now like to visit.

Another local business asking whether they can put my work on their walls.

Sitting at the breakfast table writing personal 'thank you' notes principally because I've been humbled by someone, somewhere, has chosen to spend their money on something I created.

Those are the moments that really matter to me -  and the ongoing momentum encouraged me to create an online presence.

I am genuinely thankful - and humbled - by every single person who has bought something, shared a photograph, left a review, recommended Scotland in Frame, followed one of the pages, stopped for a chat or simply pressed the occasional like button.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

What's next?

Well, soon, I'm packing the cameras and drone heading off to Skye, Harris & Lewis, armed with a new (along with many other lens and drone) 100 - 400mm lens and absolutely no idea what I'm going to come home with.

That's really exciting.

Beyond that, there are several other projects quietly taking shape behind the scenes which I'm really looking forward to sharing when the time is right.

So perhaps my wee photography hobby really has got ideas above its station.

And, if I'm being absolutely honest...

I bloody love it and wouldn't change it for the world.

Watch this space.

Stephen
Scotland in Frame