Why My Best Work Never Makes It to Social Media

The Stories I Cannot Tell.

Something is frustrating about working on incredible projects and not being able to share them.

 

Some of my best work, stunning aerial shots, intricate FPV sequences, and carefully crafted visuals, never see the light of social media. Not because I don’t want to showcase them but because I can’t.

 

Confidentiality agreements, NDAs, and client contracts often mean that the most exciting projects remain behind closed doors.

 

While I understand the reasons, it sometimes feels like a strange paradox: creating content designed to be seen yet never being able to show it.

 

Social media thrives on sharing. It rewards visibility. People assume that if you’re not posting, you’re not working. But the reality of high-level creative work, especially in industries like filmmaking, corporate branding, and private commissions, is that much of it must remain hidden.

 

This article presents my perspective and explores why that happens, what it means for a creative professional, and how I navigate the balance between storytelling and privacy.

 

The Power of NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements

One of the main reasons I can’t share some of my best work is legal contracts.

 

Many clients require Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), preventing me from posting or discussing certain projects.

 

These agreements serve several purposes:

• Protecting Intellectual Property – Many companies invest heavily in unique visual content for branding or marketing. They don’t want competitors to see it before a big campaign launch.
• Keeping Projects Exclusive – Some of my clients are in industries where exclusivity matters. They want their aerial footage or FPV shots to be seen only by a select audience.
• Security Concerns – Government, defence, and infrastructure projects often involve sensitive locations that cannot be publicly disclosed.

 

This means that some of my most breathtaking shots—ones that required hours of planning, technical expertise, and perfect conditions—will never appear in my portfolio.

 

Case Study: A High-Profile But Unseen Project

Without breaking confidentiality, I can say that I have worked on projects for major brands, streaming services, and exclusive private events.

 

One such project involved filming a high-budget production for a well-known platform. The location was stunning, the setup was complex, and the final shots were breathtaking. But because of NDAs, I couldn’t even hint at my involvement online.

 

The client’s marketing team carefully controlled the release of visuals, and as much as I wanted to share my behind-the-scenes experience, I had to respect their guidelines.

 

This project reminded me of a key lesson from Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones that never get told.

 

Balancing Sharing and Silence

In Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon, he encourages creatives to share their process, not just their final product.

 

The idea is that openness leads to new opportunities. If people see what you’re working on, they’re more likely to hire you.

 

But what happens when you can’t share?

 

I’ve had to find ways to showcase my skills without violating client trust.

 

This means:

• Focusing on the techniques, not the project – I can share insights on how I approach aerial cinematography without mentioning specific clients.
• Creating general case studies – Even if I can’t name a client, I can describe challenges I’ve faced in my work and how I solved them.
• Educating instead of showcasing – Instead of posting finished projects, I talk about my workflow, gear, and the thought process behind my work.

 

This approach helps keep my online presence active while respecting confidentiality.

 

Why Not All Work Needs to Be Public

There’s a common assumption that if something isn’t online, it doesn’t exist. However, in creative industries, some of the best work is meant to be private, exclusive, or behind the scenes.

 

This reminds me of another lesson from Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. Great work often happens in the shadows.

 

Many famous artists, musicians, and filmmakers have passion projects that never get released. Some of the most powerful creative work is never meant for public consumption.

 

I’ve worked on:

• Luxury real estate projects where privacy was key.
• High-profile events where the footage was only for internal use.
• Corporate marketing campaigns where the brand’s team controlled the visuals.

 

These projects were no less valuable because they didn’t make it to my social media. In fact, they often pushed my skills further than public work ever could.

 

The Social Media Illusion

Social media creates a false impression of success.

 

We often see only the highlight reels of other creators, never the work that goes unposted.

 

Many professionals in my field face the same challenge.

 

They might work on:

• Hollywood films where NDAs prevent early leaks.
• Corporate branding projects that are never credited.
• Luxury lifestyle shoots where exclusivity is part of the contract.

 

The truth is that the absence of public work doesn’t mean there is a lack of work. It just means that some of the best projects happen behind closed doors.

 

I’ve had to remind myself of this often. Just because I can’t post something doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth doing.

 

Finding Value Beyond Public Recognition

So, how do I measure success if much of my best work never gets seen?

 

For me, it comes down to:

• Client trust – If a client is happy and comes back for more, that’s more valuable than any social media post.
• Skill growth – Some of the most challenging shoots I’ve done will never be posted, but they made me a better filmmaker.
• Industry reputation – In a world where many focus on public visibility, being known for discretion and professionalism can set you apart.

 

There’s also something powerful about creating work just for the sake of the craft. Some of my most fulfilling projects have been the ones where the only people who ever saw them were the client and their team.

 

How I Approach Sharing Today

Even though I can’t share everything, I still find ways to tell my story.

 

Here’s how I balance privacy and visibility:

1. I share the process, not the project – Talking about the techniques I use is a great way to engage my audience without breaking NDAs.
2. I post personal work – Not every project is for a client. I create content for myself, allowing me to experiment and showcase my skills.
3. I educate – Teaching others about aerial cinematography and storytelling helps keep my online presence active.
4. I build relationships offline – Some of the best opportunities come from personal connections, not social media.

 

My Final Thoughts

It’s easy to feel you must post constantly to stay relevant.

 

But real creative success isn’t measured by how often you show your work. It’s measured by the impact of what you create, whether it’s seen or not.

 

Some of my best work will never make it to social media, and that’s okay.

 

The clients who need to see it do.

 

The skills I gain stay with me, and the experiences I have are valuable, even if they remain behind closed doors.

 

In a world obsessed with visibility, sometimes, the most meaningful work is the work no one ever sees.