Be Here Venango partnered with IU6, Eight & 322 Art Collective, and the Franklin Public Library to host An Alphabet Adventure at the Franklin Library, where participants learned photography techniques before heading downtown Franklin with a unique challenge: finding letters hidden in nature and architecture.

Suddenly, things we passed every day looked completely different.

A tree branch became the letter “Y.” A handrail transformed into an “S.” Window frames, shadows, and brickwork revealed patterns hiding in plain sight. This wasn’t simply learning how to take better photos.

It was learning how to see familiar places in a new way.

That simple exercise carries a very important lesson for every business and organization. When we spend every day in the same place, we naturally stop noticing the details. We know where the entrance is, what services we provide, and how our organization operates. But a first-time customer or visitor doesn’t.

What do they see when they arrive? Is the entrance welcoming? Is the signage easy to read? Can someone quickly understand what you do?

Improving the customer experience doesn’t always require a major renovation or rebrand. Sometimes it simply requires fresh eyes.

This summer, we encourage you to take your eyes for a walk. Step across the street and look back. Walk through your front door as though you’re visiting for the first time, or invite someone new to share what they notice. You may uncover opportunities to market or improve that have been there all along.

The best photographers aren’t the ones with the most expensive cameras. They’re the ones who notice what others overlook. The same is true for great businesses. Seeing your organization through the eyes of a visitor can lead to stronger first impressions, better experiences, and a community people are excited to explore. Take a moment to pause and notice what’s around you.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s July 2026 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.