Instagram v. Reality: The Truth About Epic Instagram Travel Photos

Have you ever seen an Instagram (or blog) photo of a destination so breathtaking that you just HAD to go there? Before you book that trip, make sure you know the truth behind the photo. These are some open secrets among travel influencers and photographers, but less known by the general public.

Truths About Epic Instagram Photos

Hot Spots = Crowded Spots

That gorgeous mountain lake or swirling colored canyon, you keep seeing on Instagram (meant to be right?) might be a little (or a lot) crowded. Instagram influences reality. People see a gorgeous photo, they want to go there, they go there, they post a photo, more people see it and go there…and so on. As locations become trendier on Instagram they become more visited in real life. (According to the Wall Street Journal, visitation to horseshoe bend has increased 50-fold – in large part due to Instagram)

Example: You may not know it, but you’ve probably seen a photo of Peyto Lake on Instagram. It’s virtually the poster child for Banff, Canada.

Peyto lake looks like THIS in most Instagram photos (including this one of mine that I also sell in my Etsy shop):

Peyto Lake, Banff, Canada - Really Teal Lake

Peyto lake looks like THIS in real life:

Peyto Lake, Banff, Canada with crowds in summer

Still gorgeous, but crowded!

Drastic Seasonal Changes

Some Instagram photos are epic because of the location and the time of year they photo was taken. The same location can look drastically different at a different time of year. Waterfalls and alpine meadows with wildflowers are particularly prone to the seasonal effect. A little research before will help you hit the hot spot at the hot time of year.

Example: Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho has earned the moniker “The Niagra of the West,” and it is…for part of the year. For the other part, it’s a dry canyon with a trickle of water. I found it stunning it both seasons, but if you’re going to see the falls in full force, timing matters…a lot.

Shoshone Falls looks like this in April:

But Shoshone Falls looks like this in February:

Fake News Photos

Some outdoor photos are so heavily edited that they don’t accurately reflect the scene. Blah lakes become Gatorade blue with a little Lightroom editing magic. Unknowing Instagram followers are disappointed when they go to a location expecting it to look “unreal” because the photo of it was “unreal.”

Looooook I’m a photographer myself (Shameless Plug: my website & Etsy Store), and I’m not criticizing editing photos. There’s nothing wrong with editing photos for inspiration and art, but just be cautious if you’re booking a trip based solely on one professional photo

Example: My typical photography style is minimal edits to try to make the photograph reflect what I saw with my eyes, but for fun, I tried my hand at some heavy color editing on a photo from a hike this summer.

Here’s a photo near Sisters, Oregon that I think pretty accurately reflects how the scene looks to the eye:

Here’s an edited version (look at the lake color – and I’m not good at editing so think about how much people who are good at it, can change a photo [they also make it look more realistic])

Lake Near Sisters, Oregon Heavily Edited

Gorgeous Photos, Miserable Conditions

Some photos and vistas are gorgeous, but may not be worth what it takes to get them for you. Think 10 – 20 mile hikes; hot, exposed terrain; standing in sub-30 degree temperatures; or yawn worthy hikes for one nice scene towards the end.

What is “worth it” for a particular view or photo is a uniquely personal decision, but just be aware that some of the most Instagramable shots are the least enjoyable real life experiences. (think: girls in dresses in the snow…brrr.) Once again, a little research on what the spot is actually like can save you a bundle of disappointment.

Example: I tend to photograph what I’m already doing, rather than go out just to shoot, and I kinda love a good sufferfest. So, for this one, I’ll point you to the Clout Check Podcast (esp. early episodes) has some hilarious first hand stories of what some travel influencers go through for the ‘gram (spoiler alert: frostbite).

The Good News for Your Trips

Womp, womp, right? But wait! before your bubble bursts and you swear off travel because its never going to be as good as the photos, let me tell you the good news!

I’ve been traveling heavily for the, and have been nomadic for the past year and a half, and I still freaking love it. There are actually MORE gorgeous, uncrowded spots in real life than you see on Instagram. It just takes a little research, creativity, and faith in new places over FOMO of not going to THE one spot that everyone posts. Talk to people, read blogs, look at maps, use apps like AllTrails, and you’ll be on your way to an epic travel experience.