Authenticity is not a Filter

It struck me recently how much of our beloved industry is built around image. So much of tourism and events has become about creating the “Instagram moment," and AI is adding a whole new layer. The most memorable experiences I walk away with are rarely polished. They’re the ones that surprise me, humble me, or shift my perspective.

This photo was taken upon exiting the meditation hall at His Holiness the Great Dalai Lama's Library and Learning Center at Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, New York, the North American Seat of the Personal Monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I frequented this site while working in Ithaca and have dozens of photos, but this particular one has meaning.

As I stood behind my group of 10 from New Zealand in the meditation hall, watching them soak in knowledge from our tour guide, I noticed another person quietly enter the room. They approached me and asked if they could join our group and listen to the talk. Of course, I welcomed them.

At the end of the discussion, they thanked us for being gracious and welcoming. They said it was a helpful step forward for them to join our group for a short while as they had long struggled with intense anxiety about being in public or speaking to others. They shared that through studying Buddhism at Namgyal in Ithaca, they had begun to find peace.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. We talked about that moment for the rest of the trip. It changed me in a way I cannot describe.

As I build this next chapter, I’m reminding myself to design for the "feels" first. Authenticity isn’t a filter, and you can’t create authentic experiences with AI. Photos should earn their place because the moment they were taken in was worth remembering.

My challenge to all of you: Next time you experience something or somewhere new, learn the story before you snap the photo. I guarantee it will change you for the better, and I would love to hear your story.