You came, saw and conquered. But did you document? Recording your trips makes them more tangible, and photos can keep the fleeting joy of travel close at hand forever. While old-school scrapbooks have made way for Facebook albums, the motto “pics or it didn’t happen” rings true through the decades.
So, your bags are packed and (hopefully) your phone or camera is charged. So, are you going to Columbia or to the corner mart? Are you photographing a toucan or a taco truck? Are you taking a b-roll video or a spontaneous selfie? There are no wrong answers, but we do have some recommendations for documenting your adventures like a pro. Go forth, snap happy and snap often.
For the Adventurer
Multiple camera mounts are a must if you’re planning on partaking in any “extreme activities” on your trip, from rock climbing to skydiving to kayaking. We suggest SP Gadgets since they come in all shapes and sizes, and are compatible with several series of GoPro.
Mounts enable hands-free action shots and unique angles such as the view from your helmet or ski tips. If you’re in the ocean, mount it on your surfboard or hold the camera à la Clark Little. Whether you’re hanging 10 or high and dry, camera accessories eliminate shaky stills or selfies that are too up-close-and-personal.
For the Cinematographer
If a picture is worth thousand words, then a video must have even more to say. You went swimming with nurse sharks and your GoPro footage is legendary…now what? If you’ve only taken photos, the GoPro app should suffice for quickly sharing them around the interwebs. But if you’d like to quickly slice up and spice up your videos, use the Quik app to create a beautiful video with just a few taps. This eliminates the need to bring a clunky laptop in your carry-on, but you may consider packing a spare charger.
For the Animal Lover
What about the secret life of pets? Gain insight—and probably TMI, TBH—by snapping photos of your furry friends from their point of view. The Snap Pet camera looks like a pet of the future, letting you take photos from afar and automatically uploading them to your phone. This is great for snapping shots of your furry family members while you’re out of town, as you can leave the Snap Pet by their favorite perch while you’re away.
Or perhaps you’re visiting an oasis brimming with wildlife. If you’re in Alaska, leave the Snap Pet on your porch and safely snap pics of nosy bears. If you’re in the tropics—let’s say Costa Rica—score some footage of Howler Monkeys from a safe distance, since they’re known to defend their families by throwing feces at tourists.
For Throwback Thursday
Yes, digital cameras have changed photography forever—but sometimes it’s nice to preserve that special moment on a polaroid or film camera. But how does one upload film to Facebook? It’s simple with the PhotoScan App by Google. No, this isn’t taking a picture of a picture. It’s enhanced digital scanning that boasts automatic edge detection, perspective correction, and smart rotation. Obtain professional photo scans in seconds, backing up decades of photos to your hard drive for safe keeping.
For Hemingway
Visuals accompanied by stories—audio or written—paint a more detailed picture of the trip. Writing is a fantastic way to record details and dreams about faraway places. Whether you use this as a private outlet or public display of affection is up to you. But one thing is for sure: never let page count or pen supply prevent you from letting words flow. A tablet lets you channel Jack Kerouac on the road, capturing thoughts as they come.
Whether candid, posed or written, memories become immortalized when captured in the right light. Photos allow us to escape the present—but they also help us reflect on the past. Maybe it’s the garnish on a memorable tikka masala, or a silk vendor flashing a peace sign in the crowd. Whether you’re heading around town or around the globe, ensure you document it like a pro.
