By Jessica Russo
It's easy to be jealous of influencers. After all, it seems like they have the life. Extravagant trips, perfect outfits, magazine-worthy meals, and experiences we've only daydreamed about.
Okay, so you may not have a zillion followers or someone sponsoring your every move, but there's no harm in pretending! Pull off the influencer look on your next vacation, and have followers daydreaming about your trip.
Invest in a “good” camera
Even the most beautiful sights can look underwhelming without the right camera. If you want professional-looking photos that look like they're out of a travel brochure, you may want to invest in a DSLR camera. With that being said, today's smartphones have pretty awesome cameras. If your phone is on the newer side, it should do the trick!
Don't be shy
Lots of people get nervous or embarassed in front of a camera. We're here to say: don't be! Come on, you're on vacation- you'll never see most of those people again, anyway! When your trip comes to an end, photos and memories will be all that's left. Don't make us say we told you so!
Take candids
Staged pictures are nice, but something about candids evokes more emotion. Whether you're mid-laugh or lost in the beauty of a sunset, let your pictures speak for you.
Photo-journal your food
There's nothing like taking a gorgeous photo of perfectly plated food in a stunning restaurant, but there's something special about capturing authentic culture through food at a local dive. Photo-journal your food, and caption your photos with stories about why it's a staple in the community. Everybody loves an interesting anecdote - and food pics.
Decide on a color palette
Did you ever notice that influencers' Instagram feeds are beautifully cohesive? It's not an accident! Think of your Instagram feed as a room in your home. Make sure all your photos "go together," in terms of color, mood, and feel. Two great apps to help you get this down pat are Color Story and VSCO.
Dress to Impress
Let's face it - no influencer became famous traveling around the world in tshirts and sweats. While it's important to feel comfortable, it's also important to feel cute! Consider the style of your destination, and think about specific sites you'd want to take photos in front of. For example, if you're traveling to Cartagena and want to take photos in front of colorful buildings, you may want to wear white in order to stand out. Search for specific sites and destinations on Instagram to see what others are wearing there for style inspiration!
Be. in. photos.
There's nothing more boring than going home and flipping through 1,000 pictures of sites and scenery. Sure, you need to take some, but photos are extra special when they capture memories. Whether you take advantage of a selfie-stick or ask a fellow traveler to take a picture of you, those will be your favorite pictures from the bunch- we promise.
Bring multiple outfits for the same day
Think influencers go to different places every day? Think again! Oftentimes, influencers simply change their clothes from morning to night, so their followers can think they've posted a picture from a different day. Even if it's as simple as changing your scarf or jacket, a fresh look adds diversity to your pictures.
