Nothing wrong with re-using photos with a different story to tell, heck some people use the same photo over and over for every article. I re-use photos from time to time, never taken any flak for it...as long as the text is original, it's still an original works. Haha,your own pixbay!! That's awesome.
Yeah that must of been a bummer to see your account worth so much and now so little. That does sting for anyone who intends to do this professionally. It did spark false hopes in many I believe. I was too small at the time to really be all that concerned about that but I'm not gonna lie, some days I look at my stake and think to myself, if only that was worth what it was at it's peak and it would fund the new camera I desperately need (mine is 9 years old and pieces are starting to fall off). Realistically tho, I think it has potential to go back to that point and beyond if they can figure out user retention issues and get adoption in higher numbers. Just be patient and hodl what you make. Sure it could also all just fall apart too but I like to be optimistic on occasion. Not that many people know what cryptos are yet so it's relatively early even for those starting now. Eyes on the prize and fortune favors the bold!
2 posts a day is a lot! I applaud anyone with that sorta dedication even if it's from time to time. I post once or twice a week and I need a break from that sometimes haha. Congrats on getting more views and better returns for your art. You have put in a lot of work and time and deserve every bit of it, hopefully it continues on the uptrend. We all enjoy being on the trending page from time to time, especially consistently. Glad to see some are benefiting from the new parameters that didn't under the old steemit. I guess that give me hope that maybe one day be my turn in time, although I can't complain the visits from various teams like 
RE: Still Pissed Off About That Time You Did Something Awesome and Nobody Noticed?