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Wow, clear that I'm going to watch #droughtvoices after the show (and after the appointment web!) #tamyUSA

Tweets @MissPointless about the #droughtvoices special on the French Canadian Television show #TamyUSA.

Today, we’re chatting with Tamy Emma Pepin, who recently traveled around the US filming a TV show that explores how mobile photography impacts travel and human relationships (and used HotelTonight to book her rooms, natch).

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Tell us a little bit about yourself/about your show.

I’m a Montreal-based producer, host, photographer and storyteller. I work a lot in television, but at this point, isn’t it just about screens? Sometimes they’re in front of couches, other times they’re in your hand and soon they might be on your fridge. What drives me is telling compelling, meaningful stories and collaborating with the people and brands that stand for something authentic and positive.

Most recently I co-produced, wrote, directed and hosted #TamyUSA, a thirteen part travel series for TV where I explored America’s west coast and south mainly using Instagram to navigate the country and meet people I wouldn’t have found with your more traditional travel guides. It’s a road trip show for the new millennium. I’m obsessed with how technology has changed the way we document and see the world. I also get a lot out of collaborating with organizations like Oxfam who recently exhibited a series of my photos on inequality in America at the World Press Photo Exhibition in Montreal.

What was the inspiration for the show?

I’m very interested in cultural shifts and seeing how culture and ideas travel across the world. In 2012, I was road tripping across Morocco snapping a lot of photographs and sharing them on Instagram. One day I was in a cab and I scribbled down the idea of creating a show that explored how mobile photography was impacting travel and human relationships. It’s crazy because I’ve created friendships and been to so many places solely because I discovered them on some app. The fact that you can access such powerful border-crossing connections on a phone blows my mind every time. I don’t take the amazing time we live in for granted.

There’s a book, The Art of Travel, that discusses how a lengthy journey and major projects might be set into motion by nothing more than a photograph of a palm tree in a brochure or painting. That is still happening today, except on a different medium and without a middle man, telling someone what images to put in the brochure.

At the same time, there’s the idea that Instagram is such a curated, idealized vision of the world in which people try really hard to maintain a perfect personal brand. I was curious to meet the people I follow and see what was left out the picture; the way they move and talk, what they think, their vulnerabilities. There’s so much beauty in what we keep out of public reach.

How did you use HotelTonight while filming your show?

I used (and loved) HotelTonight before the show even started! It was a perfect fit for the series and complements Instagram well. I’m a very spontaneous traveler and it gave me a lot of freedom. The speed, simplicity, photos and reviews were always spot-on. During the shoot, I usually booked my room on the road, the day-of, or the day before reaching my destination. Whether I was looking for something cool, luxurious or cheap, a couple of swipes and my room was booked. Then the map pops up and next thing you know, I’m there.

What's the first thing you do when you get to a hotel?

I drop my bags and throw myself on the bed, because what’s better than the smell of clean hotel linens? Nothing.

You stayed in a lot of great hotels - what was your most memorable one?

I’m a sucker for small independently run hotels with great design and a staff that cares.

During the filming of #TamyUSA, I obviously had the chance to stay in so many great places. The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs is a classic and if someone gets tired of going there, they should not be trusted. I also really enjoyed the Heywood Hotel in Austin with its modern design, super friendly passionate team and quaint roof-top patio. Just lovely.

What is something you always have when traveling? My phone and charger. Chargers don’t get enough love.