Here are a couple of creative photographic ideas to look for while on your next balloon outing. Keep an eye out for balloon shadows and reflections.
You will be more likely to encounter balloon shadows while in a balloon whereas reflections can be captured from either the air or the ground.
Shadows
Unfortunately the balloon you are in will be the one you can’t photograph while flying., apart from the straight up from the basket view. Shadows are a creative option way to get a selfie of the balloon you are in. Additionally, pilots will use the balloon’s shadow to identify any overhead traffic since your balloon will be blocking your overhead view.
Shadows will be easier to find and photograph the closer you are to the ground. Make sure you add some interesting ground elements to complement and give context to your shadow.
The ground is not the only place you will find your shadow, watch for it on other balloons. A telephoto lens can help compress the distances giving more prominence to your shadow or a wide angle will give more context by including more of the surrounding area making your shadow a supporting element to the composition.
Another way to look at balloon shadows is as compositional element to enhance an image. The shadow can be a leading line or can add balance to a photograph as with this one taken at Page, Arizona.
Reflections
A second creative option to look for are balloon reflections. If balloons are flying near water watch for them to be reflected on the surface. If it is calm enough for balloons to be flying chances are the water surface will also be calm.
To get your own reflection you obviously need to be flying directly over the water. Getting reflections of other balloons is more likely and can be a fun challenge from the ground as well. The Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival is a great location for balloon reflection photograph. There are two places you’re likely to see reflections, the ponds next to the launch field and the Yampa River which run alongside the launch site. Crew and spectators will have more success at the ponds, the river is more visible from other balloons. The Rio Grande River is Albuquerque is also a great place to watch for balloon reflections.
Remember that water is not the only surface to get reflections. Chase truck mirrors or even chrome finishes if you can find a truck that is clean enough. Even sunglasses can be a creative reflection idea.
Use chase truck mirrors 
Look for a clean truck, not like this one.
Tip about polarizing filters for reflections
A polarizing filter on your lenses can enhance the color of the sky by cutting down on the scattered light or haze in the atmosphere. The resulting images will be more saturated. However the purpose for a polarizer is cut down reflections and glare. Polarized light is created when light waves are reflected from a non-metallic surface, the resulting light vibrates in different directions. A polarizing filter allows light through from one direction and absorbs the light vibrating in other directions so that you can see through the reflective surface, If your intension is to photograph reflections, you want that polarized light which is parallel to the surface. So make sure you are not using a polarizing filter while photographing reflections
