Become a Travel Photographer

A Guide to Self Taught Travel Photography

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It’s a question I get fairly often from my readers searching out new hobbies and looking to up their social media game; “how did you learn travel photography?”

I’d love to say it was simple for me, but it really wasn’t. It has taken a lot of hard work combined with a little trial and error.

Travel photography encompasses several different niches of photography. The niches I focus on all have their own styles, technical aspects and require different types of gear.

But these skills CAN be learned by self-study.

Getting a foundation that you can build on IS pretty simple these days! The good news for you is, I’ve learned from trial and error and can recommend the best strategies I’ve found that will get you started.

If you want to become a travel photographer, here is how I recommend you begin…

Drone photo of a grassy point in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia at sunset.

Learn the basics of photography

It’s hard to be original in this day and age. Basically everything out there in this great, big world has been documented by someone, and when you arrive at your first travel photography location, you’ll likely find yourself standing alongside tens to hundreds of other people working with that exact same subject, at the exact same time, Every. Single. Day.

This can make you feel discouraged… Don’t be.

The beautiful thing about photography is that everyone’s perspective is a little different. I could send you and another person to take photos of the exact same ten subjects and there would be subtle (and sometimes HUGE) differences between them. That’s your eye, and no one else has it… just YOU.

Now in general, if you want to stand out from your typical traveller snapping endless pics without any strategy, the BEST thing you can do for yourself is learn the basics of photography.

There are many technical aspects of photography that aren’t exactly intuitive, so for a newbie with a dream, I recommend finding a good course. The good news is, it’s the age of information and you can learn just about any new hobby online!

Which is what I did. I cannot speak highly enough of Emma Davies’ course, “A Year with my Camera”.

Emma makes a living as a flower photographer in the UK and happens to be a fantastic teacher on the basics. Her course is available as two workbooks with the addition of a Facebook group that is an incredibly positive environment for learning.

The course is designed to take one year to complete and the Facebook group moves through assignments along with this schedule. However, the workbooks can be completed more quickly or slowly, and you can use the group to reinforce what you have learned once you’ve finished at your own pace.

Once you’ve learned the basics you’ll be ready to shoot with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, AND likely be much improved in your iPhone snaps as well!

Fox pups cuddling together in front of a field of lupines in Prince Edward Island.

Think about what you want to document

Ok. Now you know the basics. You’re feeling comfortable with a camera and more confident every day. Next it’s time to think about what you want to photograph.

There are SO many different niches whose skills put together make up the category of travel photography;

Landscape photography
Nature photography
Wildlife photography
Architectural photography
Street photography

…I could go on.

For me, I am MOST interested in nature and landscapes. I enjoy the slow pace, attention to detail (Type A here!), and time spent in the outdoors. This is what makes me happy. What makes the time fly by.

Find what drives you and brings you happiness. Then focus in on it.

Sunset over Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Fine tune what you’ve learned with a focus on your preferred niches

Now that you know what you LOVE photographing, you need to learn more about taking AMAZING photos of those subjects.

I turned to YouTube for this.

There are many talented photographers who are willing to give you advice online. Type something like, “learn landscape photography” into YouTube’s search bar and you will be amazed. I have spent hours watching videos and practicing. It’s a great resource.

The Nazrid Palaces at Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

Get the right gear!

Let’s talk camera gear. At the very least you are going to need a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a couple of lenses of the right focal length for your niche, and a few accessories.

I travel with a Canon 6D Mark ii camera, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens, Canon 50mm f/1.2 lens, Canon 70-200mm f/4 lens, a few filters, SD cards, backup batteries and a super light tripod.

I pack it all in my Peak Design camera backpack that I love and couldn’t travel without.

You don’t need this much gear to start. Do your research and find some good starting lenses for your niche.

If it’s wildlife you love, get a zoom lens. If you love those wide panoramic shots of vast landscapes, a wide-angle (35mm or below) would be best. If you love getting up close and personal with details in architecture and flowers, get a macro lens.

Do some YouTube research to find the best loved models.

Pro Tip: There are companies, such as Sigma, making third party lenses that are much more affordable than those bought from the big brands that still take fantastic photos. I found starting with them was a great way to keep cost down when I was a newbie myself.

Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellfoss, an iconic photo for travel photographers in Iceland.

Start booking

You’re ready. Now, where will you go first with all of your newfound skills?

Get yourself a good destination guide book.

I personally love the Lonely Planet guides, including my absolute favourite, The World. Some other great Lonely Planet guides are Great Escapes and Where to Go When. Their photos can be a source of inspiration and they include many useful tips.

I also use 1000 Places to See Before You Die, which was gifted to me. It doesn’t have pictures, but it has everything you need to know about your desired destination.

Be OK with your photos not being perfect

Wherever it is that you dream of visiting, whether it’s a roaring waterfall, a site of historical significance, or a place full of unique culture in its people and traditions, I am sure you will learn so much from the experience of photographing it. Skill comes with practice and you’ll be surprised how quickly you find yourself taking shots you LOVE.

However, to get there, you’ll have to take some shots you don’t care for. And that’s OK!

In fact, ALL photographers take shots they don’t care for. Even the most experienced ones. You will improve with time but your goal should never be a perfect shot every time. Mistakes happen. Bad lighting happens. Bad luck happens. It’s all OK.

An overexposed photo of a flower in Maui.

Bad lighting inside the Royal Palace in Seville, Spain.

Honestly, sharing those was UNBELIEVABLY cathartic.

Now get out there and take some kick ass photos. And please, share them with the world. You will learn that your perspective is different than all those others we spoke about who are standing beside you snapping the same pic, and the rest of us would love to see your perspective as well. This is how we all grow.

Feel free to direct me to your travel photos, if you share them online, by leaving a comment below. I can’t wait to see them!

If you want to check out my very first set of travel photos, read through 7 Days in Maui!

Happy Snapping!

Hill XO

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