One Editor’s Viewpoint: Ellie Jacobson

Finding connection from snapshots of life, photos, six words (and sometimes beyond), and the internet

It all began at this moment.

“For me, the camera is a sketchbook, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson

Editorial Update, December 2022: As of December, Ellie Jacobson stepped away as an editor for SWPSC, but will continue to be a writer. — Mary Chang Story Writer — Creator & Editor of SWPSC.

Okay, I wasn’t on Medium at that moment, but it does capture foray into finding connections on this crazy thing called the internet, way back in the day. I believe the above photo was taken in 1995. My first big purchase on my first credit card. It came with this software called America Online (AOL).

As an introvert, connecting with people via words was my jam. I met my first serious boyfriend on some random Minnesota message board. I remember doing a psychology paper on how men and women were treated differently in chat rooms, where words were the only form of communication, trusting that those words were even authentic.

Fast forward to now where we connect more so with photos than ever before because of technology, via social media and blogging platforms like Medium.

Discovering Medium and the Six Word Photo Story Challenge

I joined Medium as a reader two years ago during the pandemic with no intention of writing here. But of course, over time I got sucked in and started writing regularly with the 30-day Challenge a year ago this month.

Over time, I discovered the publication, Snapshots, and the photo challenges. I’ve loved taking photos since I could remember, capturing the love of my kitties, nature, and my travels over the years (not much different from today).

When I saw Mary Chang Story Writer’s six-word photo challenges, I was hooked. As a lover of writing flash fiction (I love the challenge of 100-word stories), writing a six-word story to an original piece of photography was right up my creative alley.

My first six-word photo submission was in August 2021 with this Peace Garden photo. Taking photos while traveling or just taking a walk around the block, I’m the one with my phone always on the ready to snap a photo, sometimes to the chagrin of my walking mates (c’mon already!).

And of course, capturing the fun moments with Mr. Percy is my other love. This was my first Mr. Percy six-word photo story.

I was thrilled when Mary began the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication (such a good idea!).

It’s not just about posting quick articles but sharing a snapshot of a moment and sharing it with the awesome community of professional photographers mixed with us amateurs. Learning about each other’s loves and worlds, one photo and six words at a time.

Drawing inspiration from others

Time is moving ever so quickly with the ease of communication via technology in the palm of our hands. It’s nice to take a few minutes each day to see what is going on in each other worlds in a way that feels genuine and supportive.

As a reader and an editor, I love seeing the out-of-box creative photos and captions. It’s a way to make each other stronger photographers and writers by seeing how others interpret the monthly challenges and the unique viewpoints we all bring to the screen.

Thank you to Mary Chang Story Writer for starting this challenge and publication and for asking me to come along with you as an editor. And thank you to Sandi Parsons and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles for completing the team!

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.” ― Susan Sontag

View all my six-word photo stories

About the Writer

Ellie is a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota. She is writing her first novel, a psychological suspense novel, while finishing her MFA at SNHU.

Need writing inspiration? Check out Sparks, Ellie’s newsletter filled with Medium writing prompts to spark your creativity.

Want to read more? Or even join Medium as a writer? Join Medium and have unlimited access to so many excellent writers & get started on your own Medium writing journey.

Let’s connect: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Writing Group

✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, ©2022 all rights reserved.