The Dos and Don'ts of Instagramming Your Vacation
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Too often, our Instagram feeds are filled with vacation posts that make us want to roll our eyes. Whether it's due to humblebragging, excessive posting, or one too many selfies, a lack of Instagram etiquette (especially while traveling) is hugely annoying.
To help you avoid being THAT person and making your friends want to unfollow you after your next big trip, here is a list of dos and don'ts. Little changes can make a big difference.
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Do: be selective about which photos to post.
Carefully curating your Instagram photos makes for a better account overall. People use Instagram to see beautiful things, so sharing only your best pictures is the best way to go.
Don't:
- Photo-dump — even if you're in another country and only have Internet access for a few minutes at the end of the day, don't post five photos at once. You'll overwhelm your followers and clog up their feed. Remember, you can always #tbt later.
- Forget Snapchat — if you want to share lots of pics from your trip with friends, remember that you can also send them on Snapchat. It's a better platform for less beautiful moments.
- Instagram things that you can do at home — if you get a Starbucks frappuccino in Cancún, nobody needs to see it. You can have one at home anytime.
Do: photograph something local.
You're in a cool location, so why wouldn't you share a peek into what it's like there? But enjoying the culture and making a spectacle of it are two very different things. Try taking pictures of exotic foods (like fresh coconuts), bustling markets, and cool technology from your vacation destination.
Don't:
- Photograph locals "in their habitat" — would you want a tourist taking pictures of you while you drank your morning coffee or went to church? It's rude, intrusive, and exploitative . . . don't do it to others.
- Appropriate other cultures — don't wear something insensitive or take part in your destination's special rituals inappropriately just to get a picture you think is fun.
Do: show off your swimsuit . . . tastefully.
I'm a huge fan of body confidence, gratuitous selfies, and fashion snaps, but everybody has seen typical swimsuit shots from the beach a million times. Mix things up by giving a peek of your bikini while you swim, hike, or do pretty much anything except pose.
Don't:
- Make people question whether your legs are hotdogs — so many people Instagram the same angled beach photo that there are entire blogs devoted to it.
- Share a "belfie" — just don't do it, please.
Do: geotag and hashtag. Just be cool about it!
Using Instagram's geotag and hashtag features are an awesome way to help others plan their next trip, gain followers, and keep people updated about your adventures. But there are a few rules to follow.
Don't:
- Humblebrag with your geotag — it's awesome that you're staying at the Ritz, but it's much more interesting (and less show-offish) to geotag the restaurant where you're eating.
- Use too many hashtags — a massive block of hashtags is annoying for everyone who follows you. Do you really need #vegan #follow4follow #blessed on a picture of your sandals? NOPE.
- Geotag where you are at that moment — if you've got a public account, tagging yourself in a location while you're still there can be pretty unsafe. Do it after the fact, because you don't know who else is around, looking, and being creepy.
Do: capture the atmosphere.
You can share pictures of yourself any time, but vacationing is a special time to focus on the incredible location, the people you're with, and experiences you're having.
Don't:
- Take selfies or too many posed shots — if you're with others on your trip, share a candid moment of them all instead of a picture that looks like boring stock photography. Same goes for you; no selfies posing in front of the mirror in your hotel bathroom. We'd rather see you paddleboarding or riding a zip line.
Do: use your vacation to make a big announcement.
Are you pregnant? Engaged? Starting a new job when you get home? Insta-announce it while you're on vacation for an even more exciting reveal! There's no better way to celebrate a new life moment than while you're treating yourself.
Don't:
- Recycle overused captions — four out of five engagement photos use #SheSaidYes or "he liked it, so he put a ring on it!" in the caption. It's getting old! Be direct about your news, and you won't risk annoying followers.
Do: go for unexpected shots.
Innovation is everything when it comes to the perfect Instagram snap, and your followers will appreciate seeing something fresh. Go for underwater shots, unique angles, and different times of day (sunrise or nightfall) to make your photos stand out.
Don't:
- Take the same picture everybody else does — just because your friends took a photo posing on the hotel balcony doesn't mean you have to do the same. Go for something more interesting.
- Stick to locations that your followers know — everyone knows about the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but they may not know about Parisian street art! Uncovering hidden spots and unconventional sites makes vacations so much more intriguing . . . for you and for others.
Do: let people know about your vacation, but in a unique way.
It's great to let people know about your upcoming vacation so they know what to expect, can give you recommendations, and can check back for updates.
Don't:
- Snap the basic airport shot — instead of sharing a photo of your neck pillow, magazine choices, and snacks, try something we haven't all seen before. Pointing at your destination on a globe or showing a fun postcard is a much more unique way to clue followers in.
- Broadcast trip details with your followers — sharing specifics about your trip (such as travel dates) with the public creates a huge opportunity for burglary. Instead, only share these things with trusted friends and family members.