Selfies may seem like a trend emerging alongside the advancement of technology, but the art of self-portraits has been around for centuries. Some of earliest selfie photographs can be traced back to the year 1900 and people sat for portrait paintings long before that.

Some may say that selfies represent how self-absorbed the new generation has become and while studies have shown that we take pictures of ourselves because we want the attention, they have also shown that we share these pictures because we want to feel connected to the people we interact with online. Our culture’s focus on social media and technology can make interactions feel impersonal at times, but when we share our faces, we’re sharing a greater part of ourselves.

Many hotels and tourist attractions are taking note of the popularity of selfies. There are now vacation packages, contests, and other rewards opportunities for travelers who take selfies during their journeys. It serves the dual purpose of encouraging guests to explore new places as well as providing a “word of mouth” advertising opportunity for these destinations. When we see our friends having a great time at a particular hotel or theme park, we’re likely to at least visit a website and find out more information.

One example of a selfie vacation package is the Puerto Rican La Concha Resort’s “Take a Selfie Adventure” package. Guests can take creative selfies to obtain discounts on rainforest tours and visits to the rum distillery and factory, and other surprise gifts. The package is valid through August 31, 2015. To learn more, visit laconcharesort.com.

At the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in California, the “Spring Selfie” deal earns guests a selfie stick and $50 per night resort credit. The resort also provides recommended selfie destinations in Palm Desert. This package is valid through December 31, 2015. To learn more, visit marriott.com.

CheapTickets.com is currently holding a contest for the best spring break selfies. The “Trelfies,” or travel selfies, contest is open until April 13, 2015. Participants can submit selfies from their spring break and the five top-voted pictures will be rewarded with flight vouchers and $250 to spend on the website. One grand prize winner will win five flight vouchers and $1,000 in “CheapCash.” To learn more, visit cheaptickets.com.

For great tips on how to take the best selfie, improvephotography.com has a list that focuses on the compositional elements of a good photograph; such as lighting, background, and framing. And when it comes to travel selfies, it is also important to tag your destination and use hashtags in your caption to let people know where you are.

Author:  Olivia Varnson, a sports enthusiast and journalist living in the Gainesville, GA area.