Shots of sunsets over Santorini, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and perfectly cropped, perfectly placed patterns in Marrakesh are the things of many travel-lovers’ Instagram feed.
But how do these Instagram travelers get the perfect shot every single time? Okay, so I may not be GypseaLust, but one can try right? After years in the social media industry and with a bit of creativity, I’ve picked up a few tricks of the trade that will have your Insta “like to minute” ratio up in no time!
So grab your smart-phone, get ready to start snapping and follow these simple rules:
N
atural light is your best friend
The more natural light… the better! Try to avoid places with stark, sterile, artificial lighting. Choose a window seat at a restaurant or eat outside if you can. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. You will spend less time editing out weird glares and unwanted shadows.
Experiment with various editing apps
Go against the grain and try your hand at editing in various apps before uploading to Instagram. I know Instagram’s new editing tools are always improving, but to keep things consistent, I try to use the same filter/editing tools every single time. My favourites? PhotoEditor and VSCO. A bit of contrast and saturation also goes a long way. Just saying.
Instagram boyfriends help
Okay, all jokes-aside, it is always hard trying to capture that perfect shot when travelling solo! Scope out the crowds and brush up the courage to ask a stranger. Try and offer as much direction as possible to get the winning shot. Tripods and selfie-sticks can fill the void and help get the shot. Or as mentioned, an Insta boyfriend does come in handy.
Always shoot in portrait
Gone are the days when Instagram was restricted to “the square.” Always shoot your photos outside of Instagram (using your normal camera) and shoot in portrait mode. You’ll be able to visualise the cropping better when shooting in portrait. Once you shoot in square, you can’t undo the crop. The more you have to work with, the more you can adjust after!
Get creative (and a waterproof case!)
This one is easy. Just have fun with it and don’t be afraid to get creative! Some of my favourite Instagram travel accounts to follow for major inspo are, Do You Travel, World of Wanderlust and Oh Couture. Keep the creativity flowing and try new things! Oh and if you’re going to the beach, make sure you’ve got a waterproof case handy… or insurance.
Got a case of Wanderlust? Check out some of the latest trips from travel adventure experts, Topdeck Travel. Or if you need help with some content creation, give us a call: 07 3252 5735
