Every time I go on vacation, I swear I tell myself: *”This time, I’m going to get *all* the content.”* And then somehow, I blink, the trip is over, and I’m left with a camera roll full of blurry food pics, a few half-hearted attempts at vlogging, and maybe one cute outfit photo… taken on the wrong day, in the wrong light, with the wrong lens.
If you’re a content creator, an influencer, or just someone who wants to be one and only gets one epic holiday trip a year, I feel you. The pressure to balance creating travel content with actually enjoying your vacation is real.
And if you’ve ever returned from a trip feeling like you didn’t get enough, you’re not alone.
But after too many regret-filled post-trip reflections, I’ve learnt a thing or two. So let’s talk about how to create travel content while vacationing — without letting it ruin your experience. These are the exact steps I followed for my 2023 EuroSummer trip, and spoiler: they actually worked.
Want the video version of this post? Watch below! Otherwise keep scrolling for the sparknotes!
*Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on them and make a purchase, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you.*
Why Creating Content on Vacation Feels So Hard
Let’s be real — being a content creator doesn’t mean you’re on a permanent vacation. Most of us have a day job and aren’t jet-setting monthly with PR budgets and assistants. I can maybe swing one big trip a year…which means the pressure to “make the most of it” from a content perspective is intense.
And it sucks because part of me wants to just be in the moment. To not care if I got the shot or if my hair looked like a sea-dampened puffball. But then I think about how I’m trying to grow this creative business, and how travel content performs so well online. It starts to feel like if I don’t document it, was it even worth it?
Okay, dramatic. But you get it.
Now let’s cover some steps to avoid feeling this way.
Step 1: Gather Inspiration Before You Go
This step is key. One of the biggest reasons I freeze up when the camera’s on me is that I have no idea what to do. No clue how to pose, what angle I like, or how to not look like a lost tourist-turned-gremlin.
Real scenes from our honeymoon around the world…
So before my trip, I went full-on Pinterest rabbit hole mode, I saved:
- Poses I wanted to try
- Reels/TikToks with trending audios
- Composition inspo — framing, lighting, vibes
- Outfit inspo too (more on that below)
I even practiced in the mirror a bit (yes, I felt silly, but it helped). I made folders on Instagram and Pinterest and categorized audios on TikTok. That way, I wasn’t scrambling mid-trip to remember what I wanted to create.
Pro tip: Practice a few go-to poses or movements so you’re not frozen like a statue when the camera’s rolling.
Step 2: Choose 1-2 Core Content Concepts
You don’t need to film a 12-part YouTube docuseries about your trip. Pick ONE or TWO key concepts that, no matter what, you will get done.
This helps with:
- Avoiding choice paralysis
- Feeling satisfied even if you don’t get everything
- Planning your gear and schedule accordingly
For me, I planned to film a lens series for YouTube — featuring just one of my camera lenses per country (spoiler: I missed London and doubled up in Ireland, but it still worked out). Having that anchor gave me purpose without overwhelming me.
Other concept ideas to get you srarted:
- “What I Wore” mini vlogs
- Food tour reel
- “Day in the Life” style aesthetic video
- Photo dump carousel for Instagram
The key? Be flexible, but have a plan.
Step 3: Plan Your Outfits (Seriously)
I cannot stress this enough, and I know it sounds vain but your outfit can make or break your content. Or at least, can make or break how you feel about your content.
I advice packing for yout trip with your travel content in mind, think about making a little capsule wardobe.
Here’s what I did:
- Tried everything on before the trip
- Made sure each item mixed and matched
- Took mirror selfies to remember combos
- Left behind anything that didn’t have at least 2 uses
I still packed light, but every outfit was something I felt good in — and that I knew would photograph well.
Step 4: Plan Your Gear (Without Overpacking)
This is where I usually mess up. I bring everything — 3 cameras, 4 lenses, 2 tripods, a mic for every mood — and then… use none of it.
So this time, I got intentional.
Ask yourself:
- What’s the main camera? (Phone? DSLR? Action cam?)
- What kind of content are you shooting? (Vlogs? Reels? Photos?)
- What accessories do you actually need? (Tripod? Mic? Remote?)
My “one-lens challenge” also seriously helped reduce the overwhelm. I was only using my camera for that YouTube-specific concept, and my phone was for casual, in-the-moment stuff.
Planning your gear also involves deciding on how you want to carry it all. Check out these posts with my recommendations for Camera Bags and Camera Backpacks!
Step 5: Get the Most Out of Each Shot
You’re on limited time. So when you do get the shot, make it count.
I made it a habit to:
- Shoot horizontal and vertical versions
- Capture video and photo formats
- Use high-res settings on my phone (4K at 60fps so I can crop in and take decent stills)
- Shoot clips that could work as both b-roll or standalone content
This gave me so much flexibility post-trip. I had options for reels, thumbnails, IG carousels, blog headers — all from the same 10-second clip.
Step 6: Brief Your Travel Buddies
If you’re traveling with friends, partners, or family — give them a heads up.
Explain:
- What kind of help you might need
- That you might disappear for a few minutes to shoot
- What angles/shots you like
On my trip, I literally told my friends: “Please just grab candids of me when I’m not paying attention.” And they did! Some of my fave content came from those moments.
If you’re flying solo, make sure your tripod is sturdy and your remote shutter game is strong. Or honestly, just ask a stranger. People are usually happy to help.
Bonus Tips for Balancing Creation & Enjoyment
Because yes, you’re still on vacation. And it’s meant to be fun.
- Batch your content: Spend one morning getting your “planned” shots, then relax the rest of the day.
- Shoot candidly: Some of the best content is just vibey clips from the day.
- Know when to let it go: If the light sucks or you’re tired, skip it. It’s okay.
- Keep a note app open: Jot down ideas or quotes for later — you don’t have to shoot everything now.
Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Great
Being a content creator on vacation is a weird paradox. You want to be present, but you also want to preserve the memories. And if your creative work involves sharing your life, it’s totally okay to want to capitalize on those beautiful, fresh, adventure-filled moments.
But don’t beat yourself up if it’s not perfect. I still look back on my honeymoon and cringe at the fact that I looked like a gremlin in every photo. But I also remember the absolute joy I felt. The memories still matter, no matter how they look.
So, prep what you can, shoot what you want, and then live your damn life. The best content often comes from the moments where you’re just being you.
If this helped, feel free to share it with your travel buddies or fellow creators. Or check out my lens series on YouTube for a peek into how I actually pulled this off.
Until next time, happy travels and happy creating.
Kaya