Instagram Verus Reality
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media in Travel Photography
While traveling in Portugal, I began pondering the complex relationship between the pleasure of personal exploration and the commercialization of travel photography. I am writing to you from the Lisbon airport, hoping my second cup of strong coffee helps me string together cohesive thoughts on the impact of social media on our perception and portrayal of travel experiences, all before I board my next flight.
On my trip, I started reading 'User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design Are Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play' by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant. Though only a couple of chapters in, a section has already struck a chord, sparking reflection on the tangled web of travel, social media, and being a photographer/artist, as well as how we impact other travelers and the places we visit.
Instagram, as Kuang and Fabricant describe, was originally 'intended as a service for sharing photos in the moment.' Yet, what was once a spontaneous snapshot of life has transformed into a meticulously curated exhibit. I'm not merely talking about editing or adjusting your exposure or using a preset; rather, I'm referring to the meticulous curation of places through images. The irony is not lost on me: social media has shifted from sharing an experience to inspiring an experience, with the emphasis on sharing 'vacation goals' rather than realities. This feeling of inauthenticity became so pronounced for me during this trip that I decided to start showing videos of what the places looked like before showcasing the photos I captured. Personally, I'm not trying to misrepresent a place, but as a photographer, certain details, light, and compositions catch my eye. And I am patient. I will wait for a clear moment or be very intentional about how many people are in a photo, choosing to use people to show scale, as opposed to showing the chaos of tourist spots.
Stories on Instagram were a calculated tactic by Instagram to alleviate users' self-conscious hesitation to post to their feed, as receiving low or no engagement can suddenly make it seem like your experience was not good enough. By shamelessly adopting the idea of disappearing stories from Snapchat, Instagram offered its users a way to share in the moment once again. However, stories have followed the path of the feed, and now, social media gurus claim to know the secret to achieving higher views and engagement. One advises posting only a couple of slides, another tells you never to reshare, and let’s not forget the recommendations to use stickers for polls. Brands are keen to know your views, and we find ourselves counting story engagement much like our feed engagement.
Over a glass of wine, watching the day fade over Lisbon, my friend Des and I mused about the leap from photographing travels as a personal memoir to eyeing each frame for its earning potential. It's a peculiar dance for us photographers, toggling between the joy of capturing a moment and pondering its market value. There’s no judgment here; it’s simply the modern creator’s dilemma. And while some may balk at the use of ‘creator,’ the reality is many artists now view and use social media as a platform to market themselves. Indeed, if you place your work on social media, you are creating content. Moving on.
The thing is, while I search for my perfect shot, I'm also transforming my leisure into labour. I am portraying places not as they are, but as I see and experience them through my artist's eye. This perspective is what leads to 'Instagram versus Reality' content that both amuses and saddens. For this reason, I began to share the reality first in my stories. I didn’t want someone to make the trek to a beautiful and seemingly secluded place, only to discover it was crowded with others searching for the same experience.
I've mentioned already my preference for including a person in my landscapes, as it can be challenging to grasp the scale without them. However, I aim to include just one or a couple of people. This raises the question: How do I reconcile the desire to share my experience and the reality of the space, while simultaneously enjoying the moment and acknowledging the reality that photography is my livelihood?
As the sun set, Des and I didn't find the answer to our dilemma. It likely will remain an ongoing debate as we, like many artists, continue to grapple with the need to market ourselves and be seen—to secure clients or sales and make a living—while focusing on our art and being cognizant of social media's influence on perceptions of places and spaces. Instagram, originally intended for sharing spontaneous moments, has shifted towards showcasing the most aesthetic moments.
My flight is boarding, so it's time to wrap this up. The core of this reflection isn't just about navigating the complexities of social media ethics; it's about reconnecting with the reasons we started capturing moments in the first place. Whether through a lens or a caption, the essence of our experiences—and how we share them—matters. As I continue to post, ponder, and, perhaps, overthink, I'm learning to balance the personal with the public, the immediate with the eternal.
After all, isn’t life the ultimate uncurated experience? Let’s not lose sight of that in our pursuit of the perfect post. Portugal has served as a poignant reminder of this truth, and I aim to keep this perspective close to heart.
Note to self: share the perfectly imperfect journey of life.
Personal Work
I must share some images from my trip to Portugal! I still have many to edit, but the experience was stunning. I explored Lisbon's narrow cobblestone streets, watched surfers from the beach, hiked trails along cliffs, and admired the powerful waves colliding in the ocean. It was an inspiring trip. I'm fortunate that my brother and his family live there, and I had the opportunity to visit them.
Hey you made it to the end! I have a little secret for you!
I really did write this from the airport, that isn’t the secret. The secret is I cry at airports. I am that person. I have family all over the world, so when I say goodbye, I often m unsure when I will see them again. But this trip, I was meeting my friend Des in Lisbon, so I had to say goodbye to my brother and his family at the house. I cried all the way from their hometown to Lisbon. Then I went to the airport to pick up Des, where I proceeded to cry again as I have not see her in five years! And you bet I cried today when I said goodbye. I am not embarrased by this, in fact I probably will shed a tear when I see my partner tonight as he is picking me up from the airport.
So if you ever see me crying at an airport, just know it's because I love someone and hate saying goodbye.