So, the number of times this post has been requested is out of control and I’m truly sorry that it’s taken me so long to get this up. BUT, here it is. Today, I’ll be sharing how I make the most of my vacations for the Instagram feed. This is truly the time where you can make some iconic layouts on your profile. I mean… when else are you eating beautiful meals every day and witnessing iconic view? Yeah, that’s what I thought! I’ll be sharing some of my top tips and best feeds from my vacations in Orlando, Los Angeles, and New York City!
I am currently gearing up to spend a relaxing and work filled week at home over my last spring break. {Some may say that’s sad, but I’m ready to sleep in my own comfy bed and get some stuff done.} But, I also want to live vicariously through y’all. Where are you headed this week or for your spring break? I’d love to follow along on those beautiful feeds! Sound off in the comments!
1. Plan outfits that you like & feel comfortable in.
This is pretty much a good rule of thumb no matter where you are traveling to. I like to do a little pre-trip shopping and pick up some new fun pieces that I can mix with my current favorite pieces. I always have a white v-neck or tank top and some denim. Throw in a bomber jacket or comfy denim jacket to layer on top and I’m good to go. I also highly recommend wearing comfy shoes to truly be able to explore. I think all of my shoes are from Steve Madden at this point, but I love my wrap sandals for a cute spring and summer option or my Old Navy Moto boots for fall & winter.
2. Have a consistent color theme.
The easiest way I’ve learned to do this is by having my outfits follow the same color scheme. My New York wardrobe kept it very neutral with a pop of yellow to make the feed more interesting. Most of the backgrounds were bright, warm, and blue! I also make sure to keep my filter the same for all my pictures. My favorites on VSCO are A4-A6, S21-S3, and HB1-HB2. I’m currently using HB2, but my New York and Los Angeles feed used S2!
3. Show don’t tell.
I picked up an amazing tip from a travel blog post a while back! [I have no idea who it was or else I would definitely link.] Basically, when I want a picture that I can’t take myself and have to search the crowd for someone who looks most millennial and most Instagram-savvy, I try and show them exactly how I want the photo to be taken. It works really well and is much more efficient than trying to describe with words. Just trust me, show don’t tell.
4. Food & locations are perfect filler content for the feed.
Some of my favorite photos are of the iconic brunch spots that are sprinkled throughout major vacation spots. The incredible Berry French Toast from Toast in LA was one of those experiences. The white tables and outdoor seating were quite literally the best. I’m always drooling over the decorative donuts and delicious pasta dishes, so please post them and then share them with me. I will comment how good it looks, every.single.time.
5. Change up poses and keep it moving.
I always try to explain this to people when I’m in a portrait session: keep it moving. Change up your poses while people are snapping your photo. It’ll make your pics look more organic and less posed. Hold your sunglasses and pull your bangs back; do a little spin. Really turn your inner model on. As my fave Jessica Whitaker says, know your angles, know your self!
6. Research hot photo spots and save them.
Sure, everyone wants to have unique photos. But, some shots are definitely worth the recreation. I am always searching for cute murals, cafes, and tourist spots to get the best pictures. I create a folder on Instagram and save all my ideas. That’s one of the ways I’ve found some of the cutest murals. You can always change up an iconic location by trying some cool angles are playing with lighting! I have made some really cool photos by opting for a backlit shot [taking a picture with the camera facing the direction of the light source].
Okay, so now that I’ve shared my tips with you, I expect some fire feeds sent my way! If you use any of my Lightroom presets [100% free, btw], tag them with #gabbywhitenpresets! They are perfect for a classic place like New York and will put an interesting twist on more nature-focused locations! Happy traveling everyone.
keep on keepin’ on
