Don’t over-edit your pictures. There are thousands of apps and programs that allow you to make your pictures brighter or more dramatic. But if you go too far, it looks like a bizarre illustration rather than reality.

Do post pictures that make people want to travel. Social media can be inspiring, and posting beautiful pictures gives people an opportunity to live vicariously through your vacation.

Don’t put yourself in every photograph. No matter how cute you are, sometimes people just want to see the scenery. Keep the selfies in check.

Do carefully curate your pictures before you post them. If you bog people down with too many photos, they won’t bother looking at them.

Don’t post cliché pictures. No one really wants to see another picture of feet by a pool or on the beach. If your sunset pictures resemble thousands of others on Facebook or Instagram, it’s time to think more creatively.

Do look around and take pictures of things that are unusual. Give your friends and family a sense of what’s special about your vacation.

Don’t check into every place you visit. It’s tempting to give people a play-by-play of your vacation, but not all your friends want to know when you’re downing a 28-ounce Long Island Iced Tea at Señor Frogs.

Don’t post pictures of your hotel room. Just don’t.

Do post one photo from one meal only. But only if it was extraordinary.

Don’t brag. Even humble brags are unacceptable. There’s no better way to alienate friends than taking pictures of the most expensive aspects of your trip.

Do put your phone away for a few hours and enjoy your vacation. Forget about social media, forget about do’s and don’ts of posting pictures on social media. Buy a fruity drink, stick your toes in the sand, and don’t take a picture of it.

Christopher Muther

Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @Chris_Muther