Getting paid to travel

When Instagram first launched Reels in 2020, I was determined not to use it. I had always been interested in photography and aesthetics, and at the time, with Reels trying to compete with TikTok, it seemed like a feature that would focus on users dancing, sharing commentary on-camera or comedy skits. I didn't think it would be a feature for photographers and assumed it would die out anyways. I was wrong.

When I moved to Hong Kong in August 2021, I started to post on Instagram more regularly. I was excited to be in a new city that's known as a photographer's playground and spent nearly every weekend capturing new places with my drone or camera. I'd also started to see the potential of Reels - one that I had previously posted suddenly went viral - however, after landing in Hong Kong, I found out that Reels wasn't available in the market yet.

A pinch-me moment

When Reels eventually launched in Hong Kong in March 2022, there was a vacuum. As TikTok isn't available in Hong Kong, this kind of video feature was relatively new to the region, and there was an opportunity for creators to fill the gap. I started experimenting and posting them myself, and started to enjoy the process of capturing everyday life in Hong Kong in a new way. Friends back in the U.S. who saw my photos and Reels said that they had no idea Hong Kong was so beautiful, which motivated me to explore and share more. At the time, I was just having fun with it, while posting 1-2 times a week. I didn't know what it would lead to, but I knew that if I kept going, it would lead to something good. I never intended to make money from Instagram, but shortly after, brands started reaching out for user-generated video content.

As the year went on, I ended up spending 3 months traveling to 5 countries. The costs of all my flights and accommodation were covered by the Reels that I created about these travels. Getting paid to travel and create is something that I never thought would be possible, but it's a dream project that I'm really proud of. I'm extremely grateful to have this opportunity to work with partners that give me creative freedom in sharing what I love - travel, food and culture.

Introductory tips for making Reels in 2023

I'm by no means an expert on Reels, but I do think that it will continue to be an important feature for creators in 2023, whether it's for fun, growth, collaborations or simply pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

If you've never made Reels before and are interested in starting in 2023, here are some introductory tips:

1. Camera Settings

There are a few basic settings that you should keep in mind to maximize quality. I use an iPhone 11 Pro Max and record videos in 4K at 30 fps. I also turn on Grid for better composition and framing, and turn off Smart HDR to better control the overall brightness. (Settings > Camera)

2. Instagram Settings

Turn on Upload at highest quality. For some reason, the default option for this setting is off. When that's the case, Instagram automatically adjusts the upload quality to fit your network conditions, meaning it will compress the quality of your video if your Wi-Fi isn't good. This is an easy fix, so make sure to check that this setting is always turned on. (Settings > Account > Data Usage > Upload at highest quality)

3. Trending audio

When it comes to choosing the sound or concept of your video, try creating Reels based on trending audio. You can identify trending audio through the upwards arrow you see next to the audio name. By clicking on the audio, you'll also see the number of Reels that have used it. The general rule of thumb is to use trending audio that has been in 20,000 videos or less. After that, it can become saturated. Don't be too stressed about this one, though. Focus on creating content that you love, rather than what's trending. Trends come and go within days and it's not worth trying to fit your content to music that you don't like just to hop on the bandwagon.

4. Inspiration and experimentation

Some people struggle finding something that they think is interesting enough to post. I encourage you to find a few creators whose style you admire, experiment using their videos as inspiration and make it your own. Some of my favorite Reels are those that romanticize everyday life and don't necessarily include speaking or showing the creator's face. A few whose style I personally admire include: @tungkonggg, based in Vietnam, and @jazziesillona, based in Hong Kong.

5. Consistency

The last tip is to stay consistent. Try to stick to a posting schedule that you can commit to, and try to post the same days and times. For me, it's twice a week. Of course, the more the better, but I find that when I try to post more, it can get overwhelming and I don't want to put quantity over quality. Find out what works for you so that you enjoy the process.

That's it! Remember not to take it too seriously. It should be something that you genuinely enjoy doing and sharing. Depending on where you live, it also helps to surround yourself with creatives that you can explore and shoot with.

How do you think Instagram or Reels will evolve in 2023? Have you found that other settings or tips work better for you? If you have any questions or thoughts, I'd love to hear from you on Instagram @bonnieszeng.