Taking photos on holiday has always been an important part of documenting your travels, in order to keep the memories alive and showcase where you’ve been. However, the past decade has seen photo albums take a back seat, as social media platforms like Facebook become the primary place for people to post photos for friends and family members to see.
Over the last few years, Instagram has really come into its own. The image-based platform has 500 million monthly active users that post photos of their everyday lives, including their holidays and travels around the world. With a range of photo-enhancing filters and a selection of hashtags to match your pictures with, it’s no surprise that Instagram now rivals Facebook as a platform on which to host your holiday photos and make your friends and followers jealous.
The Top Trends
Each year we see a different range of travel trends on social media, and 2016 has been no different. Trends such as #hotdogsorlegs and #angelwings were hot in 2015 and have laid the path for some of the following popular trends that have swept across social media this summer:
- Boomerang
The Instagram Boomerang app lets users create one-second long GIF-like videos on a loop. All you have to do is take five burst photos using the app and Boomerang stitches them together to make a video that plays backwards and forwards.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEUab2nS2a2/
- Pool Floats
Nothing makes a pool more fun than a selection of food and animal-themed inflatables. Celebs around the world have been snapping themselves with a range of fun pool floats, including swans, flamingos, pizza slices, and donuts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDzL7SYkNkc/
- Squad Shots
This summer was all about holidaying with your friends and taking the ultimate squad photo to show the world. With photos like these, who wouldn’t want to be part of the gang?
https://www.instagram.com/p/5yJxQiqUDJ/
- FollowMe Photos
The “Follow Me” photos trend was originally started by Russian photographer, Murad Osmann, after he accidentally took a picture of his girlfriend, Natalia, pulling him forward when he was trying to take a picture in Barcelona. Now they are popular all over the world, as couples try to replicate the pose.
https://www.instagram.com/p/5XcwSfms6m/?taken-by=muradosmann
- Ice Cream Fails
Ice creams are the ultimate treat on a sunny, summer holiday, and while we picture them looking delicious, colourful and perfect for pictures – unfortunately that’s not always the case. The fab ice cream fails trend showcases how the sun can cause ice creams to drip everywhere and, occasionally, end up on the floor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG7qYtgPBhk/?taken-by=buzzygirl
- No Filter Photos
While Instagram and Snapchat are popular for their range of filters, one trend that has been on the up this summer is #nofilter photos. Who needs a flattering filter when the suns out and you’re getting your tan on?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEZe0o9uKqz/
- Pokemon on Holiday
Pokemon Go has been huge this year, with people around the world trying to “catch ‘em all”. This doesn’t stop on holiday though, with the cheeky Pokemon making their way into a range of holiday snaps over the summer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHxj-e_DlCc/
- Plane Window
There’s nothing more exciting than jetting off on holiday, and some eager snappers have taken holiday photos to the next level, by starting once they are on the plane. Pictures through plane windows during take-off or mid-flight have really “flown” in popularity this summer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJTSpgpgdby/?taken-by=krisjenner&hl=en
- Sunsets
When it comes to stunning scenery, nothing beats watching the sun go down as you relax on holiday with a drink in hand. You can’t go wrong with a sunset snap and it’s a great way to showcase the stunning location of your trip.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFuobtzFiMP/
- Snapchat Filters
While Snapchat is a different social media platform altogether, there was a big trend this year of Instagrammers uploading their pictures using Snapchat filters. The most popular seen throughout the summer were the dog filter and the butterfly filter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK3flbyBJD-/?taken-by=kyliejenner&hl=en
The Future of Social Media and Travel
Social media is a huge part of our world and that’s not going to change anytime soon. We’re now a nation focused on documenting our lives online for everyone to see – whether that’s through statuses, updates or images.
There’s no doubt that celebrities are leading the way when it comes to sharing real-time photos for all their fans to see, especially when it comes to showing off their holiday. Brands like eShores are trying to help their customers enjoy their holiday like a celeb and leave the photography and social media to them.
The luxury holiday specialist has launched a new service called InstaPaps, an add-on package for all their multi-centre holidays, that sends a photographer on your travels with you, so you don’t have to worry about missing a moment. There is also a deluxe package available that helps you feel like a star on holiday, offering hair and makeup services and VIP treatment at every bar and restaurant you visit.
With new features Like Instagram Stories and Facebook Live becoming more and more prevalent since their launch this year, it makes you wonder where exactly the future of social media is going to take us on our travels in 2017.
