Q+A with Christine Tran (@tourdelust)

Tell us about you!

I’m originally from Los Angeles but now live in New York with my fiancé. I always knew I wanted to live in this city, so I made the move a couple of years ago.

Have you always been interested in this kind of work? When did you decide to pursue Instagram full-time?

Growing up, I never really knew exactly what I wanted to do but I enjoyed working with people and knew I had a creative side. When I started my blog, I had no idea it would turn into a full-time job as it has now. Close to my one-year mark, I was getting more brand deals and press trip invitations around the world, which was when I “knew” it was time to pursue this role full-time.

I love how creative your feed is. Can you describe your creative process, and how you decide what makes the cut?

I like to keep my images bright, fun, and airy which makes it easy to keep my feed well-rounded and consistent despite posting a wide variety of travel themes and lifestyle images. I edit all my photos in Lightroom using my own presets, which keeps the tones/colors consistent and helps ensure my feed “flows” as you scroll. I use an app called UNUM to help plan my feed, so if an image does not match my current aesthetic, I may decide not to post it or re-edit the image to have it flow consistently.

What is your favorite part about what you do?

There are so many great aspects of this job, but I love being able to travel the world and meet people in this creative space. It’s great getting to connect with people from all over the world who have similar interests and who are so talented. I love learning from others and having new friends everywhere I go.

We were so excited to host you in Costa Rica! What was the biggest highlight?

I love being outdoors in nature so getting to visit waterfalls is something I’m always super excited to experience! Plus, I hadn’t been to Costa Rica before, so was looking forward to experiencing a new country.

Your feed is very tied to travel. How do you choose where to go next?

I’m always open to visiting new places. There’s beauty in every destination, and I love learning and meeting people from different cultures around the world. I visited Turkey in May and it has become one of my top three favorite countries. There’s still a misconception that Turkey is not safe, but I found it to be the complete opposite. Locals helped me whenever I was lost or had any questions. The country is full of beautiful architecture, nature, and amazing spots like Cappadocia. 

Do you have any tips on how you pack for these kinds of trips?

I always research my destination to see the places I’ll be visiting. If a place like Costa Rica is fairly lush and green, I’ll likely bring brighter clothes to stand out. I love wearing dresses and rompers with prints and bright colors—not only because they make images pop, but because it’s also easier to pick one outfit piece then choosing a top and bottom to match. Accessories like handbags, sunglasses, and hats are also great props that help with images. Since I have so much to pack, I always bring a large check-in bag and use packing cubes, which help me stay organized and manage to squeeze in a lot of outfits!

Where are you headed to, or dreaming of, next?

After Costa Rica, I’m headed to Norway. Hopefully I’ll catch the Northern Lights!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Want more?

• 7 Stunning Places to See the Northern Lights
• How to Explore #LikeAJetsetter: VIP City Experiences Worth Every Penny
• The 9 Best Hotels in Costa Rica

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