Travel Photography Tips for New Travelers
- Earn Money While You Travel
- Find the Path Less Travelled
- Scout Your Locations, Just Like You Do at Home
- Keep a Shots Diary
- Pack Less
Photo by Mantas Hesthaven Unsplash
I love writing about travel photography tips because traveling while doing something you love is one of the most exciting things in the world.
This list is going to cover everything from how to earn money while you travel to how to remain organized while traveling to tips for capturing the best photos of your travels.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Earn Money While You Travel
Photo by Christine Roy on Unsplash
Sure, your travel photography will probably make you money eventually, but eventually doesn’t pay the hostel bills.
There’s no simple answer to how to earn money while you travel, but there are a few tried-and-true methods.
For example, you can do a work trade program and work in a hostel’s bar or front desk for free lodging. You can also pick up work in the tourist industry in almost any country where English speakers regularly travel.
photo by CarmenMurillo via iStock
But, by far the easiest way to earn money while you travel is through affiliate marketing on your website.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with affiliate marketing, it’s a way for people to make money off of their websites and blogs by including links to products or services.
These companies will in turn pay you if someone buys their product or service off of that link.
Affiliate marketing is a phenomenal way to earn money while you travel because it doesn’t require you to be in any one place at any specific time.
Our friends at Travel School makes affiliate marketing really easy to learn too.
There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel; let the professionals teach you what affiliate marketing is and how it can help you travel further and longer than you ever thought possible.
Their comprehensive educational program offers you proven, actionable steps to follow that enable you to continue making money in the long run while also building immediate revenue.
If you’ve always wanted to work remotely, you need to check out this site and get started earning money sooner rather than later!
Find the Path Less Travelled
Photo by Thomas Schweighofer on Unsplash
Travel photography tips for beginners are nothing more than reteaching yourself how to lose yourself like a child again.
If you’re visiting well-established photography locations, like Rome for example, then you will be tempted to visit the same travel photography locations as everyone else.
photo by martin-dm via iStock
And sometimes this temptation is too much to bear, so I use a system for my travel photography. I will allow myself 5-10 shots that look like everyone else’s. I will focus on my lighting and composition for these shots, while understanding the subject matter is nothing new.
Then, I will try to travel the city to find views I haven’t seen on a postcard before.
Getting off the beaten path isn’t just invigorating, but it also challenges you to find new things to see, experience, and photograph.
And you’ll often find that when you get away from the tourist-filled areas, your experiences will be much more memorable and authentic.
Plus, getting away from the crowds never hurts!
Scout Your Locations, Just Like You Do at Home
photo by ArtMarie via iStock
When you’re in a brand-new, exciting location, it’s sometimes easy to stray from the rigor of location scouting. Fight this urge.
Most travel photography tips for beginners are all about learning to stick to the routine you had set up at home so that you don’t forget anything. This one is no different.
One of the best steps you can take to location scout in another country is by asking the locals. Most will be more than willing to tell you about undiscovered areas, many will even take you there (just be sure to be aware of your surroundings).
photo by warrengoldswain via iStock
There are also plenty of apps you can use to find local photographers who would be more than willing to share their expertise with you.
Start with Facebook, and see who might be based in the location you’re visiting. More often than not, you’ll find a willing compatriot to show you the sights.
Learn More:
Keep a Shots Diary
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
I’m one of those people who can’t live without a morning cup of coffee (and sometimes an evening glass of wine). When I’m traveling, I’ll take the time to write down notes from the day or previous day over some coffee or a martini.
You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to add keywords to each photo, but it’s also a really great way to think back on your travels.
If you’re like me, you’ll find so many wonderful places and experience so many incredible things that you can’t possibly remember them all.
Keeping a shots diary will help you keep things straight as you’re reviewing your images. And since photography is all about telling stories, the more details you can remember about each shot, the better story you can tell with your photos.
Pack Less
Photo by Brandless on Unsplash
Out of all travel photography tips, this is the one you will learn fastest: pack light or you’ll regret it.
Of course, it’s 2019 and companies like NannyBag exist, so if you’re visiting Europe for a month like I did earlier this year and you absolutely need to pack more than a carry on, you can pay someone to watch your extra equipment while you take a day flight from London to Dublin.
Granted, this isn’t an ideal situation, but at least it’s an option!
Photo by adrian on Unsplash
Every time I take a travel photography trip, I bring one camera body (and my phone), a mini-tripod, way too many memory cards, one flash, two or three lenses and my camera bag.
It hasn’t failed me yet.
This kit is versatile, lightweight, and easy to carry, and that being the case, I won’t have to pay for NannyBag again!
There are many other travel photography tips for new travelers out there, but if you follow the advice I’ve outlined here, you’ll be in a good position to have a great (and productive) trip!