GREAT FALLS – Last year, MTN News anchor Tim McGonigal started a selfie series called Friendly Faces, which continues to bring joy and positivity to online feeds everywhere.
“One of my favorite sayings is by Will Rogers, who’s a great cowboy enthusiast who says, ‘Strangers are friends that we’ve never met,’” Tim said. “And so once we meet, I’ll tell them what the thing (Friendly Faces) is all about and then we’re friends.”
Tim said the idea started on his birthday as a way to increase his social media presence and highlight people’s life stories and experiences or how they help their local communities.
He’s posed with everyone from family, friends and coworkers to snake wranglers, furry friends and even a statue – introducing his followers to a new friendly face every day.
“It’s enjoyable, I’m always thinking of events that I’m going to or places that I might be out at that I could get some people and get some pictures with them,” he said.
Tim’s daily posts create a sense of pride and accomplishment for its inductees; something he said he’s proud to bring to a social media world that can often be negative.
“Other people have said some things, ‘This just made my day,’ and that makes me feel really good that I know that I could boost someone and help them,” he said.
While posting a picture every day can be its own challenge at times, Tim said he plans to keep snapping selfies.
“Y’know some people have said, ‘Man, you’re just gonna stop this after a year, right?’ he added. “And I don’t think I will, I think I’ll keep doing it, trying to figure out ways to expand it, I don’t know how I could do that but no, I think it’s a good thing.”
Tim’s Friendly Faces are also featured on the Facebook group Montanica, which has over 71,000 followers.
To see more Friendly Faces, follow Tim on his Instagram page.
Reporting by Keeley Van Middendorp for MTN News
