Hi friend, how are you doing? I hope you are staying safe and well wherever you are in the world. Like you, I’ve been staying at home since the COVID-19 quarantine started. While I’ve enjoyed walking around in PJs all day and having my mom at home to cook me food, I’ve also experienced some challenging moments.
As a travel blogger, it’s been hard to see the world shut down over the span of merely a couple of weeks. What do you do when your entire industry is basically canceled? Cue existential crisis. I explained some of my thoughts in the caption of this Instagram post. I felt pretty vulnerable at the time of posting, but everyone’s warm and encouraging responses gave me courage.
After days of watching my web traffic tank and feeling bummed out, I was ready to pick myself back up again and put my energy into more productive things. And just like that, an inspiration came to me when I saw Getty Museum’s online challenge where they asked people to reimagine iconic artworks at home. I thought it was so clever.
I wondered if I could recycle the idea and recreate one of my travel Instagram photos in my house. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got. I love creative projects like this! Heck ya, I’m going to do it.
Chefchaouen Morocco
After scrolling through my Instagram gallery, the first photo I decided on was one I took in Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco. In the photo, I was at sitting at a dreamy looking orange juice stall posing with a freshly squeezed juice in my hand. I loved my Morocco trip, especially visiting the Insta-famous Chefchaouen. The whole town was like a fairy tale.
Could I possibly pull off remaking this photo? Well watch my entire behind the scene process here:
With a bedsheet and a carpet, our living room was transformed into this little blue city in Africa.
I totally surprised myself with the final result. When I posted this recreation on my page, everyone was floored by the comparison. I mean, can you even spot the difference?
Kyoto Japan
My second recreation was a picture taken in Kyoto Japan. Those who have known me for awhile know that Japan has a special place in my heart. After two years of living there, it’s like a second home to me. So I welcomed an opportunity to don the traditional Japanese yukata I brought home a couple of years ago (It took a Youtube tutorial and almost half an hour to put on), and went on my lawn for a little photoshoot. The neighbors were probably really confused about what I was doing but I was having too much fun to care. Check out how it turn out:
I do wish my Yukata was red like the kimono I wore in Kyoto but I guess nothing can be perfect. How would you rate this recreation on a scale of 1 to 10? 😛
Watch my behind the scene process of this recreation here:
Hokkaido Japan
Another one from Japan! Strolled passed the park in front of my house and saw all the dandelions in bloom and it reminded me of the summer I visited Hokkaido and frolicked around in a field of sunflowers. Got my brother to do this quick shoot with me. I admit the results aren’t 100% what I pictured. But it was fun to roll around on the grass now that it’s finally warm outside.
Udaipur India
I tried my best to recreate this colorful corner of the bustling streets of India by pulling out the most vibrant items in my closet. It actually took awhile to build this set but I had fun rediscovering my own clothes in the process. It made me think that I would do well hosting a yard sell sometime…
Travel photo remix by other creatives
I was so glad a couple of my creative friends decided to join in on the challenge. Check out these fun creations!
Coron, Philippines
“Through this exercise I was able to re-live my best recent international travel in which we went to the Philippines in 2018. I loved the original photo because I enjoy playing on the beach and I can recall the turquoise hue of the ocean even now so I wanted to capture the vibrant blue in the re-creation.”
– Andrew || Instagram, Youtube
Papagayo, Costa Rica
“In the first phone, I was drinking coffee in Papagayo, Costa Rica as I gaze into the jungle listening to the monkeys….how relaxing. In the second photo, I am gazing into the backyard in Ontario, Canada. The sounds are of two kids screaming this time and instead of the lush greenery I see….toys. Not quite as relaxing…”
– Lynn || Instagram
Tongariro Pine, New Zealand
“The original photo was taken during fantastic hiking in New Zealand – Tongariro Pine, 8 hours hiking. The recreation was taken in my backyard, you are right. It was a hot day in Florida and I suffered to put on my rain jacket and gloves..”
Join the #TravelGramAtHomeChallenge!
Want to join the #TravelGramAtHomeChallenge too? Here are the guidelines:
- Recreate one of your travel Insta photos using whatever you have at home.
- Post the remake image on Instagram along with the original tagging #TravelGramAtHomeChallenge and me @theblessingbucket
I will reshare your creation. As well, I hope to curate a blog post featuring some awesome work with links back to your Instagram page.😊
Your corridor can become an ice cave❄️…
Your back yard can become a rice field🌱…
Your bed can become an ocean🌊…
Your balcony can become Paris 🇫🇷 …
Traveling is a state of mind people ✈️
Let your imagination run wild! Have fun and I can’t wait to see what you create! 😍
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12 comments
I am totally in – I love this fun and creative idea. I have so many ideas on what picture to use that just the idea to try to pull things together makes me laugh 🙂
This is so creative and I love it!! Such a fun idea and your house looks so stylish! 😉
I love this idea! I can’t wait to see more! Such a good idea in this crazy time. 🙂
This is so cute!! All travel lovers need to take this up – I would have some much fun recreating some of my favorite photos! Thanks for sharing !!
Loved this! such a fun and creative photo. Might be doing the same hehehe
Yes! Join in the challenge!
Hahaha, this is so much fun!! I’ve seen people recreating classical art pictures, but I never thought of doing this! LOL
Thank you! Yes I was inspired by the Getty Museum challenge 🙂
This is so much fun! Please do more!
Thank you! Yes more are coming 😉
This looks like such a fun challenge. I might just have to join!
You should! Would love to see your creations!