I was a Selfie Queen before the term was invented. My parents would say I’m just a Drama Picture Queen because ‘get that camera out and use it.’ Seriously, who buys a $200 digital camera, brings it on vacations, but doesn’t use it? (And can’t even say it’s because they have a cell phone with camera because they don’t use it either.) That’s why I hassle my parents about putting it to good use.

It’s payback, after all, for how they conveniently stopped using the video recorder once I was born so that my brother was gifted a converted-dvd of childhood videos of himself while I was gifted videos of my brother’s childhood that lacked me.

Needless to say, I like taking and getting pictures of myself, especially on vacation. And because I can’t take myself too seriously, I end up with some interesting photos. But I know I’m not the only one.

We all see it, where we silently judge ‘what are those people doing’ because it seems so strange for them to stop and take pictures there of all places. Or we wonder why they need so many pictures in the certain spot. Let alone at all. Can’t they just enjoy the destination and feel the sun on their face into of a shadow of a camera?

But let’s face it: we’re a selfie-absorbed society now where if you didn’t take the picture, were you really in X destination? Or maybe we simply enjoy taking photos. There’s no shame in loving pictures, and loving yourself for being in them. Especially when you can look back on your vacations and travels, and say ‘I got some really unique photos.’

Why take the typical tourist photo, when you can meander off the beaten path and take some strange, but unique photos?

After all, maybe one day, you’ll even write an article about the strange places you’ve taken photos.

When you’re poolside at night in San Juan, Puerto Rico
 

When you’re staying in a strange motel

Strange experiences with your best friend bring you closer.

When you’re dressed in your onesies in the snow on a staycation in Minnesota

Who doesn’t bond when they’re in their onesie?

When you’re on the side of the road in Indiana

Weird moments make the best memories.

While you’re driving* a speedboat in Mexico

*She was driving, I was snapping.

What’s the strangest place you’ve started a photoshoot on vacation?

Brianna Krueuger is the Chief Editor of Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright Brianna Krueger