I needed a break, I needed a place to escape, so when The North East Collective was holding an instameet in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I knew where I needed to be.

With final exams and projects piling up, the pull of a weekend in the mountains couldn't be avoided. I had never traveled to the White's before, and I knew it was somewhere I needed to be.

Instagram for me has been an incredible tool for sharing my passions and my art, as well as meeting with like-minded kids like myself who love to get in the outdoors and just create. There may be a lot of issues with social media, but really, if you only put positivity into these platforms, and positivity is all you seek, you won't be disappointed.

What is an Instameet?

The first time I went to one of these meetups, I had no clue what to expect. I was nervous, knew no one, and was positive I didn't have much to offer to the group as a whole, so I brought my two pals, Joe and his doggo Jake, along with me to a meetup for the East Cost Creatives last spring.

It was awesome.

I got to meet tons of people from the community, practice my skills, and learn a few tricks of the trade from some amazing creatives in the New England area. Being at one of these events is all about meeting new people who love to do the same things as you, network with them, and learn more about the things that you love.

You do a little hiking, take a ton of pictures, make some new friends, and presto, that's an instameet.

Car Camping in the Whites

The most recent instameet I went on was for The Northeast Collective. I'd never hiked in the White Mountains before, but this was going to be my third meetup, so I was hooked. 

I knew through Instagram a few other people who were going, so I reached out to one of them, an amazing photographer named Max, as I had to drive late Friday night to arrive in time. He and a few others were car camping at the trailhead the night before, so I drove up to meet them.

Pulling into the parking lot, I was nervous. I really didn't know anyone, and I had come alone this time, but there were people hanging out in the frigid cold who came over to introduce themselves.

It was great, we laughed, drank some beer, and talked late into the night.

Then, we retired back into our vehicles to sleep through the freezing cold of the night.

If none of you have ever slept in your car before, it's much easier to do in the summer.

I've set up my rig with a mattress pad, some lights, and lots of blankets, so I was cozy, but being underprepared isn't so fun when your breath hangs heavy and white in the air.

Lonesome Lake Hut: The Instameet

Rising bright and early, we rose from our cold cars, dressed, packed, and prepared to meet with the rest of the crew who were coming in for the day.

After everyone was set, a massive group of kids toting an eclectic assortment of cameras made there way towards their destination: the Lonesome Lake Hut.

The trek up to the lake was icy and dangerous, and the group split up as people surged ahead or fell back.

Walking around the lake, I found myself in a winter wonderland, with stunning views of the Franconian Ridge from beneath the lake hut.

As I said, getting to know people is what these meetups are all about, and the best way to do that is to ask to take their picture.

When the sunlight is amazing, you just can't help yourself either...

Crawford Notch: Instameet Location 2

After lunch at a local brewpub, the crew met up at the second location in Crawford Notch. Half of the troops had left to evade the looming storm that threatened to cover the Whites in half a foot of fresh powder.

We braved the oncoming elements, and made it the short distance to a train trestle to grab some shots.

In the failing light, the layers of mountains rose all around us, heaving out great, misty breaths as snow began to fall.

We reveled in the moody lighting, grabbing portraits and shots of the trestle until the light, and the storm couldn't be forgotten any longer and it was time to flee for home.

Footprints In The Snow

Moments like that are hard to come by, but they are worth remembering. I found so many amazing people through social media that I would have never met in my lifetime if I hadn't picked up a camera and started shooting photo's.

Getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to other local adventurers is something we should all do. It drives us to collaborate, to create, and may one day give you a couch to sleep on, or a hiking friend when you need it the most.

So, if you're nervous about reaching out or going to a meetup, that's great, we all are, and I find that being nervous helps run your mouth when you're out of your comfort zone.

So, reach out to those other creatives you love to follow on the gram, grab your camera, and send it on some amazing adventures!