It’s time to announce the Snapdragon Insider of the Month for November. This month, we’ve got a special surprise, because our Snapdragon Insider of the Month is also the winner of the #ShotOnSnapdragon #PlacesToPersperveChallenge with Condé Nast Traveler. If you missed the contest on our social media, the #PlacesToPreserveChallenge was a photography contest where Snapdragon Insiders showed off their best nature pictures for a chance to win a photography excursion with Condé Nast Traveler and a professional photographer.

Without further ado, let’s give a warm welcome to photography superstar, Bree (@xobreex3 on X and @xo.breex3 on Instagram)! Here’s what Bree had to say about being a Snapdragon Insider and her experience with Condé Nast Traveler:

How did you get involved with the Snapdragon Insiders community?

I share a lot of pictures on my social media and one day I was scrolling on X and saw a beautiful picture that was tagged #ShotOnSnapdragon. I was intrigued, so I did a little research and, of course, #ShotOnSnapdragon led me to the Snapdragon Insiders community. I immediately knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of, and I joined Snapdragon Insiders that same day. 

As someone who enjoys tech and takes many pictures on a device with a Snapdragon® mobile processor, I was thrilled to have discovered this amazing community of like-minded people. Now I always use #ShotOnSnapdragon when sharing my photography on social media, and I like to join in on the monthly photography challenges. It’s a really cool thing this community does and it always gets people involved and taking new types of photos. 

What do you love most about being a Snapdragon Insider?

I really love the people. A community is only as great as the people within it, and this group of diverse tech enthusiasts, in addition to the whole Snapdragon team, is really second to none.

What was your reaction to winning the #PlacesToPreserveChallenge?

My immediate reaction was shock and excitement. I went into the contest not really expecting anything to come of it. I was pleasantly surprised when my submission was one of the eight finalists, and then I was even more excited when I won. It was really a surreal and exciting moment for me.

Where was your winning photo taken and what device powered by Snapdragon did you use?

That photo was taken in Oʻahu, Hawaii at Makapuʻu Point when I was on vacation with my husband. It was a lookout on the side of the road and we got out of the car and were just stunned with the view, so I snapped that picture with my Samsung Galaxy S22 — which has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform.

What was your experience like shooting with a professional photographer in Utah?

It was incredible — I loved every minute of it. We went to three different locations: Bryce Canyon National Park, Under Canvas at Lake Powell, and Red Hollow slot canyon. At Bryce Canyon we shot at sunrise. At Under Canvas, which is a cool glamping experience, we did some night photography. And at the slot canyon, we captured the beauty of the natural architecture.

I got to shoot with Taylor Glenn (@taylorglenn on Instagram), who’s a super talented photographer from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was just really incredible shooting with Taylor and getting to see some of the most beautiful places in Utah. He has a great eye for photography and it was insightful to see how he brings his photographic vision to life. 

Overall, it was an amazing experience. Our shared passion for photography made shooting together so much fun. Plus, it was nice to take time to just be surrounded by nature without the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

What device powered by Snapdragon did you use for your shoot with Condé Nast Traveler?

I used the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. I actually got it as part of the #PlacesToPreserveChallenge, which definitely made the experience even more special. Particularly for the night photography at Under Canvas, it was great to use the night mode. It takes many pictures and combines them to create one stunning image. 

What’s your favorite photo you took in Utah?

That's a really hard question, because there were so many photographs that I took on this trip that I love. But if I had to choose one, it would be this picture I took in Bryce Canyon.

There was a little section of rocks and they were kind of glowing orange and they almost looked like one of those Himalayan salt lamps. I thought that was a really cool shot.

How would you describe the Snapdragon Insiders community?

The first word that comes to mind is inclusive. From the moment I joined and started sharing my photography in the monthly #ShotOnSnapdragon photography challenges, I’ve felt completely welcomed and have made many connections as a result of that.

If budget/location wasn't an issue, what's your ideal photo/video shoot location? 

I always find myself gravitating to the ocean, so I’d love to go somewhere like Fiji or the Maldives. There's just something about the contrast between the white sand beaches and the gorgeous turquoise waters that I find captivating. Also, I imagine the sunrises and sunsets from those cool overwater bungalows are phenomenal.

Any final thoughts on your experience with Condé Nast Traveler or Snapdragon Insiders?

The experience as a whole is one that I'll never forget. From getting to shoot with a professional photographer to seeing the Milky Way for the first time during our night shoot, this trip was spectacular in every way. I'm extremely grateful to Snapdragon for the opportunity and happy to be a part of the Snapdragon Insiders family.

You can see more of Bree’s photography and read more about her experience in the Condé Nast Traveler article. To see more incredible #ShotOnSnapdragon pics and stay up to date about future contest opportunities, make sure to follow @Snapdragon on X and join the Snapdragon Insiders community. 

Where is your dream photoshoot location? Let us know on Discord.