Travel Photography Do’s and Don’ts
- The Enthusiast's Guide to Travel Photography: 55 Photographic Principles You Need to Know
- Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places
- Lonely Planet's Guide to Travel Photography
photo by Solovyova via iStock
I’m asked for my list of travel photography do’s and don’ts a lot. In fact, it’s one of the questions I’m asked most frequently. People are genuinely curious how I can afford to live the lifestyle that I do, but moreover they want to know how to get the most of their own travel photography trips.
Most of my travel photography tips are easy and not terribly sexy, like being overly cautious when walking with your equipment or being overly polite so as not to give your home country - or photographers - a bad name.
But everyone once in a while I see somebody do something so cringey, I have to write it down. This is that list.
Ask Permission in Their Language
photo by nito100 via iStock
With technology nowadays, it takes 30 seconds to Google how to say, “May I take your photo,” in hundreds of languages. Use this power.
This protects you as much as it protects the privacy of someone who may not feel comfortable being in a ton of strangers’ photos.
For example, in many areas with high rates of tourism, people will dress up in the traditional garb of that country and expect payment if you take photos of them. So, if you take their photo without asking, they’ll chase you down for money.
Plus, it’s simply polite. More often than not, you’ll find plenty of people willing to pose for you. And if someone says no, move on!
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Don’t Get Stuck Behind Your Camera
photo by erikreis via iStock
Travel photography is only half about the photography. It’s also about the travel. You’ll never find incredible scenes to shoot, or incredible food to capture, if you’re stuck behind your lens all day every day.
A good rule of thumb is to set a timer when you are shooting, either for a half hour or hour at a time, and to then go enjoy the rest of whatever that place has to offer you.
A good photographer knows when to pick their camera up, but a great photographer knows when to set their camera down.
There’s no better way to practice this than with travel photography, because you will be so tempted to capture all of the exciting, new things you’re experiencing.
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Editor's Tip: Rather than carting around a whole set of ND filters as you travel, bring along one variable ND filter! Variable ND filters like my Haida NanoPro MC (shown above) offer tons of versatility in a small package. You get light-stopping power from 4-stops to 9-stops in a single filter, which saves space in your bag while also saving you time in the field. Rather than having to constantly swap out ND filters, all you do is turn the housing to adjust the darkness of the filter. I especially appreciate the knurling on the filter housing because it makes it SO easy to adjust. It's simply a far better setup for slowing the shutter or opening the aperture if you ask me!
Be Patient
Photo by Alex Ovs on Unsplash
Do you want to know how this person snapped this photo of the Eiffel Tower? They were out during a period of time nobody else was (most likely during August, when many Parisians escape the city for their summer breaks).
They also exhibited incredible patience. If you’re planning to take a travel photography trip to a part of the world where everyone takes their travel photography trips, then you’re going to be fighting crowds 75% of your day.
It can get exhausting, which is why remembering to get out from behind your camera lens is essential. You never want to be that photographer yelling at tourists to get out of your shot.
Photo by Michael Grant on Unsplash
This is what the Eiffel Tower truly looks like. There are crowds of people in the park below, tourists climbing up and down it, and vendors hawking whatever it is the tourists will buy.
The last time I was in Paris it took a 4:00 am alarm, a grueling hike, and about an hour of shooting to get that perfect shot I wanted. I promise you, this patience will pay off.
Don’t Injure Yourself Chasing the Perfect Shot
Photo by Valdemaras D. on Unsplash
By this point, we’ve all heard about selfie deaths when people are trying to take their perfect travel photography shot and end up falling off a cliff or falling in front of a bus instead.
I have a few travel photography tips about getting the “perfect shot.” I never approach animals, I don’t break cultural norms, and I don’t let my need for one photo injure myself or others.
Generally, if there’s a sign warning you not to do something, you can bet it’s because it would be dangerous for you to do that thing.
If you’re uncomfortable while taking the shot, that’s your intuition warning you. Listen to it!
Learn How to Make Money While Traveling
photo by surasaki via iStock
My beginner trips for travel photography list always includes some information about affiliate marketing, because affiliate marketing has allowed me to live the life of my dreams and I don’t know why more people aren’t doing it.
Basically, affiliate marketing is when you include links to products on your photography blog and if any of your readers purchase that product from that link then the company pays you for the referral.
The problem with learning affiliate marketing for travel photography is that it’s difficult. You not only need to learn all of the affiliate marketing basics, but you then have to learn how to apply it to whatever niche you’re interested in.
However, there are schools for affiliate marketing, and Travel School was established specifically for travel photographers.
The company’s founder, Emilian, learned all of the tips he needed to learn about scaling his business, creating multiple revenue streams, and marketing, so you don’t have to.
You can learn from his mistakes and start doing travel photography full-time. Yes - full-time! With the support and guidance of TravelSchool, you can pursue the passion that you love with less worry about how you’re going to pay for it.
The tips, tricks, and techniques you learn with TravelSchool will prove invaluable to you as you build your affiliate marketing business. Check it out, and I’m sure you’ll see the value TravelSchool offers!
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