Capturing great travel photos and video using mobile devices like an iPhone, GoPro or a point and shoot like the Canon G7x Mark II is easier than you may think. We discuss what worked for us on a recent trip and something that didn't live up to the hype.

Why You May Want to Leave Your DSLR at Home

Think about the purpose of your trip. Is it a photography or video trip, or is it a vacation?

One thing I've learned is that it's really very hard to combine the two types of trips into one. If you're on a family vacation and you bring a lot of gear to take photos, then you're missing out on the purpose of your trip. Maybe your family understands, but you miss time with them and vice versa.

In other words, you may not be together while you're out taking photos.

If it's a photo or video trip, no worries. Go explore. Plan a list of shots that you want to take and execute your plan. I've done this plenty of times when I was single. I didn't disappoint anyone.

Thinking about lugging your DSLR along to capture nice photos with your family?

It sounds like a great idea. If you're not on the move, it may truly be a great idea. The time it becomes a lousy idea is when you're out away from your room or rental home. As you wander the streets with your DSLR, it gains weight. Seriously, you'd think the camera was munching on snacks and putting on pounds as you walk.

If the weight of your camera isn't manageable, you probably won't take it with you. If you do lug it along, you may end up miserable with it.

Smart Phones are Ubiquitous

If you decide to shoot with your smart phone, you won't stand out in the crowd. Nearly everyone carries a smart phone these days. Nobody bats an eye if you whip out an iPhone to take a few photos or video.

The reaction you get with a DSLR may be a bit different. While most times I was out shooting photos with my Nikon were trouble-free, I had a few incidents because of my “professional camera.”

Some places really don't care for people with DSLRs.

Twice I've had officials at Walt Disney World harass me for taking photos with my Nikon DSLR. Never mind that almost everyone else was taking photos of the same thing, I had a “professional” camera and it drew attention. Yet I've never seen them harass a photographer with an iPhone, GoPro or Point & Shoot camera.

These cameras are lightweight, inconspicuous and actually create some very nice results these days. You may end up with better travel photos and video as a result. They give you the freedom to involve yourself in the location and still capture nice images when the right subject or moment appears.

Should You Plan in Advance or Get Lost in the Destination?

A lot of travel photographers share the advice that you should allow yourself to get lost in your destination. It's not a bad thought. You'll discover things you never knew existed. Maybe you'll get some photos that others missed.

Some people love to plan, though. I'm actually one of them. There are some benefits to making shot lists and plans before you go. This is particularly true for video.

That's because you need to tell a cohesive story with your video clips, and understand how your shots will transition from one clip to the next.

Don't overthink those transitions, though. They can be nice and perhaps clever, but people don't really care how clever you are. They just want a nice video with a story. Something that tells them about the place, what you did, or better yet, what they can do if they visit.

So should you be a planner or a wanderer? I think you can succeed either way. Go with your gut feeling. Do what makes you happy. Just remember that busting out of your comfort zone every once in a while may lead to some new results you like.

What is Your Travel Story?

The point of capturing travel photos and video is to tell a story.