Instant camera photos are back in a big way. There are so many options and its the perfect inexpensive way to add personality and fun to your travel journal. Plus it’s a great way to share in the experience of travel with your travel companions. Kids especially love using instant cameras and there are great models that they can easily use for their own travel journals. Read on for my recommendations.
Best Instant Film Camera for Travel Journaling
My favorite instant camera to use while traveling is the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera.
It’s not the cheapest that Instax carries, but I think it’s features are well worth the investment. The Mini 90 has a high performance flash that can go into many different modes. You can et it to lighten, darken or turn off the flash completely, which you can’t do with the other models. It has a lot of cool modes that you’ll want to use like macro when you’re taking pictures of fresh fruit in an open air market, and landscape mode when you take it out at the end of your hike up a mountain to capture the beautiful view. There’s also a self timer and a selfie mirror so you can be in the photos easier. It also comes with a rechargeable battery and a nice neck strap. Since my trip is special to me and I’m spending a lot of time and money already, I like to have nice photos to capture the experience. To me, spending the extra for a nicer model is worth it.
Best Instant Film Camera for Travel Journaling with Kids
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is definitely the best option for kids. Kids as young as 3 can use this camera easily and its so fun. The less expensive version of the Mini 90, the Mini 9 is the basic model and with its lower price and durable body, its great to give to kids to capture what their version of the trip. The film is the same as the Mini 90. Buy it in bulk to save a bit.
If you are buying this for kids, I would suggest spending a bit extra for this value pack that comes with some fun extras. With this value pack you get:
- The Mini 9 Camera
- 40 sheets of paper/film
- Carrying Case- an essential for kids
- 4 Color Filters- these you can put over the camera lens to make each photo tinted to a different color. So fun!
- Selfie Lens
- 2 Photo Albums- a great option travel journal option for kids
- 2 AA Batteries
- Assorted Frames
Originally sold for party photo booths, with this pack, all you have to do is provide some pens and paper, and your kids will have a unique travel journal kit all their own that they can use to amuse themselves while you’re enjoying your trip.
Film
The film comes in many options. There’s the basic, which is the original polaroid camera photo, with the white frame and they’ve also come out with some really fun other options that add a fun touch to your travel journal.
Basic
Fun
- Monochrome Film– This shoots in black and white. Great for moody locations or just to mix it up in your travel journal
- Airmail Frame Film– with this film, the frame of your photos will have an airmail pattern, the perfect theme to use in your travel journal
- Candy Pop Frame Film- with this film, your photos will be framed in polka dots. So great for kids!
Best Film Variety Packs
- This bundle set comes with 10 Sky Blue Frame + 10 Black Frame + 10 Monochrome + 20 Basic
- This party bundle comes with 10 each of Film Rainbow & Stained Glass & Candy Pop & Shiny Star