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How to Become a Travel Photographer (And Get Paid)

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If you have a passion for photography and dream of one day becoming a travel photographer, there are certain things you need to do in order to make that dream a reality. In this article, we will outline some steps on how you can become a travel photographer.

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How to Become A Travel Photographer and Get Paid Professionally

Travel photography is an all-encompassing field. It incorporates all sorts of photography styles and career paths within it. But what does professional travel photography look like? It’s incredible shots of rolling landscapes , captivating portraits , and exciting food!

And how do you get started? Like almost every unique photography style, you begin by creating! It might not make sense, but you need to get out there and start taking travel images.

Step 1: Determine if It’s the Right Photography Style For You

First, do you like to travel? How do you feel about long flights, stuffy airports, and unpacking and repacking your gear ? What about living out of a suitcase?

Travel photography is not for the faint of heart. Many see it as an easy career path, yet that is not the case. A freelance travel photographer has to deal with many demanding situations. Poor , aggressive locals, or long journeys are common difficulties. Traveling can suck away all your energy. And it makes it all the more difficult if you have limited time to capture the images you need. You may think, Oh, great… I get to go to Paris!  But you may only have 36 hours to capture four different locations, leaving you little time to enjoy the area you are in.

There is a lot of stress involved… Not everyone speaks a language you know or understands your dietary constraints. It is a job like any other photography career and not always as glamorous as Instagram feeds portray it to be.

Travel photographers must be tolerant, flexible, and patient. And, of course, they must know how to work with a camera.

Step 2: Learn a Wide Range of Skills

Knowing how to use your camera is essential. Learning a wider variety of photographic skills is vital. And understanding how to capture landscapes, take portraits, or take a street scene with a long exposure will go a long way.

The more techniques you have under your belt, the better. Photography is a visual art and very hands-on, so you must show you can do it by showing you can do it.

Travel photographer education requirements vary. A photography course can help you learn photo basics and editing skills if you are starting from scratch.

But you do not need a degree to become a travel photographer. Some might find it easier to find work with a certificate or qualification, and having one might help open up some opportunities. Still, it is not a prerequisite if your images are strong and captivating.

Step 3: Define Your Travel Photography Niche

Becoming a freelance travel photographer requires a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, the photography business is highly competitive. Part of this hard work is finding a way to stand out.

Your work will reflect your vision of the world, which is unique for every travel photographer. It would help to find a way to show your viewpoint in your travel photographs. Create a signature style that stands out from your competitors.

To become a freelance travel photographer, you must define your niche. You can focus on a specific technique or subject within your travel photography journey. Ask yourself what you like to photograph the most or are good at taking pictures of, and stick to that.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio of Your Best Travel Images

A portfolio is a series of images that you have captured. It can be an online portfolio or a print version, letting clients see the kind of travel photos you take and how you take them. It is a visual guide of the photo quality they can expect from you. Without a portfolio to look at, clients will likely find it challenging to give you work based solely on your word.

If you do not have a lot of money to start traveling, you can start locally. Research photos clients are looking for, then capture them and present them. The images you do not sell could also work well on stock image libraries or websites as sellable prints.

As you start building a reputation as a travel photographer, clients will want to hire you. Keep creating a body of work until you start finding commissions, and then keep exploring. In the end, clients are looking for stunning images. Only a photography portfolio can show that.

Step 5: Create a Travel Website or Blog

Creating your website or blog to showcase your work is essential as a travel photographer. These tools will help you show your clients you are a professional photographer . Also, it makes it easier for potential clients to find you and reach out to you. Using one of these platforms will help you organize your work and display it in your preferred format and style. You can get creative and use a design that makes your content more appealing.

Creating a blog or website is very easy. You can use a free website builder like Wix or Weebly . All you have to do is sign up, select a pre-set template and upload your work. There are many travel bloggers  you can follow and get tips from. Then you write your first travel blog post!

Step 6: Sell Your Images Digitally

Selling your travel photography can be a sustainable business idea. Many travel photographers sell their images on a digital platform. And it’s the bread and butter of their money-making machine.

To start, I recommend adding your images to an online platform. These will help put your name out there. Also, they serve well as a portfolio of travel photography for others to view. Potential clients are always searching for examples of work.

It might be challenging to sell your images when you start. But there are a few places to begin posting your pictures.

Stock Photography and Photo Websites

Unsplash is a free stock photography site that others can use for free content. The page is well known, so they receive lots of exposure. If someone uses your images, they can place them on their page with your link or name. You don’t get paid, but it can help spread your pictures and reputation.

You also can use a platform like 500px , where you can license your images with a few clicks. Plus, as mentioned before, you can sell your pictures through many stock photography websites . The site  dropstock.io will even upload your photos to many stock websites for you!

Having images for sale on a stock photography website is beneficial. You can sell pictures while you eat, sleep, and travel by licensing your work. As the number of images grows, so does your chance to make money .

If you are still building up a reputation, you can sell travel photos through your website. That way, you don’t have to pay the commission to stock photography sites. If you build up a good network of companies or blogs that need images, they might even come to you first.

Step 7: Sell Your Travel Images in a Physical Format

You might be the kind of travel photographer who is not into the digital world. There is still a market for making money and a living from travel photography.

One way to do this is to create prints of your images and sell them through specific art websites. Etsy is one good example. Fine Art America is another one. Some travel photographers even use eBay due to the number of people who use the website and the low cost of hosting a print.

You could approach galleries when you have a series of works. There is a chance you find buyers through them. They will take a commission depending on the space. But in turn, they provide an outlet that many people have access to.

Selling Prints Yourself

The benefit of selling physical prints is that you can sell them online and in person. I have created photography books , postcards, and photo prints . And I sell them in art markets, art shops, and hostels.

You can sell prints on your own out on the street, but the money can come in dribs and drabs. There is no guarantee that you will sell enough of them to be worth your time standing out in the cold (or heat).

Unlike digital images, prints can’t be stolen or reused without your say-so. But they might need a lot of your time to produce, plus the initial capital required to print these can be high.

Step 8: Find Photography Work Where You Travel

As you travel to foreign places, you can offer your services to travel businesses. Many are in great need of images from the destination you are in. These could be travel magazines , newspapers, or local tourism boards. Anyone in the travel or tourism industry needs strong images. I have stayed in hostels for free by exchanging professional interior photographs for free accommodation.

Many businesses prefer working with the same person if they provide high-quality images. They might even commission you to capture the images they need. Be aware that this type of work may have to be under the table, depending on your visa. If you are going somewhere abroad, research opportunities each area might present. For example, a beautiful image in a tourism brochure can say a lot about a company. It can show that they will pay top dollar for images. You could also see if the area you’re traveling to has trending stock photography  themes to take advantage of.

Step 9: Capture and Write Great Travel Content

The number one idea with travel photography, like any other niche, is to create strong content. Success is due to the quality, the post-processing, or the techniques you use. It could also be due to the uniqueness of your approach.

Strong content is crucial. Your images need to be top-notch if you want to sell your work through a gallery or online. The more compelling your travel photos are, the more people will search for them and your services.

One other area you can look at is photography writing. If there is an area of photography that you know about, why not write about it. It could be about time-lapse photography or your experience as a portrait photographer . The possibilities are endless.

There are many places you can do this, for yourself, a travel company, or a photography website. The benefit is that not only are people reading your helpful content, but you also get to share your images.

Step 10: Use Tours and Workshops as an Extra Income Source

When I first arrived in Budapest, I tried to find a job. I looked at all the photography possibilities I could. However, nothing seemed to fit my style, work ethic, mentality, photography style, or background. As a documentary photographer , I contacted newspapers and magazines but didn’t land a position. It was not an easy time.

So I started thinking outside the box. And I realized that, with a bit of marketing , I could host street photography workshops . It fitted with my travel photography passion and experiences. Luckily, I had a background in both photography and tutoring. It was a success, but it took a while for me to get my name out there. The good thing was that it only took a day or two to develop some free advertising online. It allowed me to start immediately.

For every travel photographer, there is something they can teach. It could be composition , landscape photography, or location scouting .

Step 11: Pick a Place to Travel and Go

Many resources can help you get started as a travel photographer. Yet, I believe in baptism by fire. If I were just getting started and had a small travel budget, I would pick a place to travel and go. That’s it. You can work out everything else once you have a place to go. You could do a documentary piece in India or capture the cloth-dying process in Morocco.

Once you have a destination, you can start researching. Learn about photography etiquette, what time the sun sets, and where to stay. Then, with a clear idea of the “where” and “what,” you can find who might be interested in the images you take.

As mentioned, if you can write, then your opportunities widen. GoNomad , for example, is always looking for stories to publish. Magazines and online publishers will pay for content because they do not need to do the research or find and commission someone else. It’s even better if you have images to go alongside your writing.

So, find paid photo projects, put some of your travel photos on stock photography websites, and sell a few physical prints—the more avenues of income you establish, the better chance to have a travel photographer salary successfully.

It doesn’t matter if your goal is to work for National Geographic or make a living from your prints and website. Becoming a professional travel photographer requires a lot of work. But don’t worry! Many travel photographers started with the basics, like a beginner’s photography course , and just went for it. You will get there!

We hope these travel photography tips help you figure out how to become a travel photographer and carve out a travel photography career!

Try out our Fantastic Photo Adventures course to learn unique and creative storytelling techniques and get out and start your journey into travel photography!

• How to Become a Professional Travel Photographer
• Career Tips
• By Lisa Michele Burns

Travel Photography: A Guide to Getting Started as a Travel Photographer

The title of ‘Travel Photographer’ is the pinnacle for many creatives with that ever enduring sense of wanderlust.

You would think all you need is a camera and a plane ticket to become a travel photographer, right?

In theory, yes. But in practice, you’re competing with a world filled of talented creatives all vying for the opportunity to be a full time travel photographer.

That said, there is so much room in the industry for skilled photographers as the need for quality content is at an all time high.

Social media and online publications are soaking up visual content like a sponge. The urge to publish engaging and unique imagery, viral videos and inspiring posts means photographers are in demand right now!

Are you ready to get involved?

I’m writing this guide from over 17+yrs in the industry as a travel photographer, you’ll find my personal portfolio here at lisamicheleburns.com  – there’s so much space in the industry if you can create photographs with a refreshing view of the world, and I hope this guide will help you discover how you can work as a travel photographer and join me in this exciting industry!

Read below to find information on the following steps to starting a career as a travel photographer:

– Setting Goals – Learn Photography – Create a Niche Style – Build a Portfolio – Create a Website – Finding Clients – Getting Published – Build Your Social Media Presence – Master the Art of Self Promotion

How to start a Career in Travel Photography

1. set goals.

Before you even look at your camera or think about the amazing places you’ll visit take a step back and look inside.

Write down exactly why you want to be a travel photographer. Is it to get your photo on the cover of National Geographic? To travel for free? To visit far away places and document them as a photojournalist? Or is it simply because you love taking photos and seeing new places?

Setting goals and thinking about the reason you want to be a travel photographer sounds like a pretty easy step to skip but believe me, you want those goals to look back at one day. When you’ve had a bad few months without work, when you’re knee deep in mud because you took the term ‘getting the shot’ a bit too far…you want to be reminded of why you’re doing it.

Writing a set of achievable goals will also give you a path to follow. Travel photography has no real set career path so be sure to write some short term goals and long term goals to work towards.

2. Learn Photography

So this step may seem obvious but you’ll be surprise how many fail to take it seriously. If you are really keen work in the travel photography industry and become a full-time travel photographer you need to know your camera inside out.

Having 500 people ‘like’ your photo on Instagram doesn’t cut it in the world of media and publishing if that photo doesn’t print sharp above 1000 pixels wide.

Knowing the right settings, image quality standards and having the eye to see and capture the world creatively will put you ahead of the pack.

I’m not a big believer in getting a formal education for a creative skill (different for everyone!) but if you prefer to learn from books there are a number of courses online that will help you out. There are various ways to learn photography and depending on your learning style, it’s usually best to find the method that suits you best as we’re all different! Take a peek at this quick guide I wrote about learning styles + 8 ways to learn photography.

Another way to learn photography is to take your camera out and use it until you know how it operates in various lighting conditions, landscapes, indoors, outdoors, upside down, underwater, looking up, looking down. You probably get my drift here.

Knowing how to use your camera is essential to success as a travel photographer because more often than not, it’s those spur of the moment shots that generate the goods. If you can quickly adapt to the surroundings and know what settings to change in a split-second in order to capture a moment, you’re in with a pretty good shot of becoming a professional photographer.

Practice taking photos of friends, pets, your local surroundings, basically anything and everything in order to expand your knowledge of photography.

LEARN MORE WITH THE WANDERING LENS

Creative Courses + Resources for Photographers: If you’re interested in discovering your creative vision and building a portfolio with the aim of finding work as a photographer, The Wandering Lens now offers self-study courses , eBooks and Workbook Bundles. The online courses and downloadable workbooks can be accessed at any time, from anywhere in the world – it’s about creating accessible resources to help you in your photography career. The bring together over 17+years of experience and lessons from working in the industry. I want to see others share their talents and get published, sell prints, find clients – to have the confidence to achieve whatever it is you want to within the field of photography.

Want to work as a travel photographer yourself?

To learn more about becoming a travel photographer, join me for an 8-week online course called The Freelance Travel Photographer Course , where I share anything and everything you need to know to succeed in the industry, based on my 17+yrs as a professional travel photographer. Alternatively, you can register to receive my free email series focused on travel photography as a career. Register for the free travel photography email series here.

Travel Photography Tips –

Some articles from my site that might help you out…all can be found in the Photo Tips section but here are some more specific posts – How To Creatively Compose Travel Images Landscape Photography: Tips for Wide Angle Landscape Photos Learn How to Take Underwater Split-Level Photographs

To develop a consistent style once you’ve got the hang of your camera, then you need to learn some editing skills to give your images a professional edge. Programs like Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop ( sign up for a free trial here ) work wonders in giving your images a little oomph. You can download my personal collection of presets here that allows you to do quick edits at the touch of a button.

I’m still learning 12 years after my first professional travel photography gig and that’s all part of the fun! Staying eager to learn means photography won’t ever get boring!

3. Create a Niche Style as a Travel Photographer

With the world of social media creating a never ending sea of content, standing out as a travel photographer is essential.

It’s not about risking your life in order to be the only one doing it, it’s about creating a consistent quality within your portfolio.

You want people to see a shot and say ‘I know who photographed that’, or at the very least to view your portfolio be wowed by your unique perspective of the world.

Creating a niche style is about developing a vision that portrays your view of the surroundings. Some people specialise in drone aerials, others underwater photography or travel portraits. Whatever your niche is, stick with it and find a way to stand out within the arena.

Putting together a list of things your interested in, then brainstorming a way to creatively capture them will kick things off. You’ll soon notice the way to capture them might blur together and become very similar, your niche style will then take on a mind of it’s own.

Developing a niche is a matter of trial and error. You want to be passionate about your niche and have a real desire to continue with it. The more effort you put into creating, the more results you’ll see appearing professionally.

Read more – ‘My current creative obsession’

4. Build a Portfolio

I’ve read before that it takes at least 10,000 photos before you can really start to call yourself a photographer. I don’t agree.

Building a professional portfolio is about compiling a collection of your best work, whether that was your first shot or 6,428th shot.

A portfolio is your go to link for sharing your work. You want it to highlight what you do and how good you do it.

It can be in the form of a PDF booklet that’s ready to email clients or publishers, an online gallery or you can use sites like Flickr or 500px.com

A few tips on creating a great portfolio: – Keep a folder of your best shots and curate regularly – Be your own worst critic – Sort images based on destination, colour or style

Having a folder of your best shots for each destination will allow you to quickly access them when you need to grab them for a client.

Personally I have a PDF booklet that contains just 20 of my best shots that I believe represents my style of photography. I find it’s quick for people to browse through and it gives them a good feel for what I shoot and what the results can be if we were to work together.

Online portfolios are also great as they can be nice and easy to link to in forums, social media and emails giving people fast access to your work. Just be sure to curate your online portfolio as much as possible, quality over quantity!

No matter how much we’d like to believe people get stuck spending hours gazing in awe through our portfolio, the reality is it takes a few seconds for someone to make a judgement. Make those few seconds count and wow them from the beginning.

Oh and don’t forget a logo.

Having an identifiable logo will help visitors to your portfolio relate with your work whenever that see the logo. Have you seen professional photographers sign the bottom of their printed images? Well to me that’s the perfect logo for a photographer and there’s a website that provides you with exactly that.

Photologo is a service that creates handwritten logos for photographers, meaning if your handwriting isn’t super fancy and calligraphic (is that a word!?), they’ll do the hard work for you and provide you with a set of files to use throughout your portfolio or to print on images!

You’ll find a gallery of sample logos on their website – Photologo

5. Creating a Website or Blog

Separate to having a portfolio, publishing your own content on a website or blog is a fantastic way to showcase your abilities.

By creating your own space online you can publish your content in the way you want it to be seen. Fancy becoming a photojournalist? Publish articles in that style on your own site!Having a collection of published articles, whether they are self published or not, is a great way to show editors and clients what you are capable of.

Even if you can’t write and only want to be a travel photographer, put together a photo feature article showcasing a particular destination or experience. Keep the words to a minimum and all eyes will be focused on your images.

With your own blog or website you have the ability to promote your unique photography style and perspectives to anyone, anywhere in the world. Tools like Google Analytics allow you to see who is checking out your site and where, giving you a great insight into how your photography is getting seen and what the most popular content is on your site!

To create your own website it’s simply a matter of registering a domain name, finding a host, signing up to a free site such as WordPress.org , deciding on a template and uploading your work. It sounds like a lot but you can get it going within a few hours.

Not a huge fan of fiddly code and want to create your portfolio NOW? Websites like wix.com or Squarespace.com actually do all the hard work for you and all you’ve got to do is supply the photos and select a layout style. I created my personal portfolio site using the Wix Premium plan which helps you obtain a domain name and they’re serves look after your site so you don’t have to pay and look after numerous subscriptions, it’s all in one. You can create a site with any layout style you like and Wix also has easy to use SEO, eCommerce and Blogging help so your site will be gracing the pages of Google in no time.

Squarespace is perhaps a little more artistic than Wix when it comes to layouts and available themes. I love the clean look of Squarespace and use it for my pri nt store , if it wasn’t so much work I’d probably transfer my entire site across to Squarespace! I currently use the Commerce plan which allows me to receive print orders and list products for sale but there are lower cost plans if you’re simply after a blog or portfolio site.

The sites I use and recommend are listed below if you’re keen to get started quickly –

All-in-One Web Design – Wix.com or Squarespace.com

Domain Registration – Crazy Domains (look for .com domains to rank better) Web Host – Bluehost (hosting from $3.95 per month) Wordpress Templates – Themeforest (look for themes with changeable features)

*Please note some links used are affiliate links to products I personally use and as such I will receive a small fee should you opt to use their services also. I’ll only ever share affiliate links to products I use for my own business and that I know work.

6. Finding Clients as a Travel Photographer

Once you’ve developed your photographic skills to the point where you believe it will benefit clients, it’s time to begin the approach.

Most travel photographers work on a freelance basis meaning they’ll have a variety of clients ranging from print media and stock libraries to local tour operators and businesses. There really is no limit to who your client can be because everyone needs images for visual marketing!

Think of all the hotel photos you browse through when choosing somewhere to stay. Someone has to take them and most of the time hotels are looking to update their image library, the same goes for tour operators and local tourism boards.

Approaching a new client can be a lot easier if you happen to be visiting that region, or if it’s where you are based. Start local and contact businesses who you regularly use or that have less than desirable images on their website…put together a proposal and they’ll more than likely say yes if it benefits them! If they’re just starting out on social media you can offer to create a library of social media images they can use over a 3-6month period to generate interest in their product/region.

Once you’ve got a client, be sure to over deliver and get creative in finding ways you can work together on an ongoing basis.

Travel Photography Stock Libraries

One way to generate a regular income as a photographer is via stock libraries. To be straight up, not all stock libraries will benefit you and are worth your time. Some pay out a teeny tiny 10cents per sale however others follow industry standards with professional pricing guidelines.

As an approved photographer on stock libraries, you can possibly get access to client briefs where you can submit your work direct to the client, meaning they’ll consider you for the project and see your profile. Otherwise there’s usually a marketplace type system for you to upload your images and have them added to collections based on themes, destinations and seasons.

Some stock libraries to check out include Getty Images , Adobe Stock , Shutterstock , Alamy and istockphoto, I haven’t had any person experience with these so can’t offer too much judgement on these.

7. Getting Published as a Travel Photographer

Now lets talk about the fun stuff. The part where you call your family and tell them to rush to the newsagent and buy every copy of the magazine because your photo is inside!

Having your photography published is one of the biggest achievements as a professional travel photographer. I think it’s a key sign that firstly, your work is worthy of publishing and secondly that you are being seen as a working professional.

Getting published isn’t actually as daunting or elusive as it sounds. It can be a matter of contacting an editor with a great story idea, self-publishing on sites like BoredPanda.com and having editors contact you to republish the article or you might find gigs on sites like freelancer.com.

Ever since I started out as a journalist 12years ago (yikes, old!), I dreamt of having my images published in Lonely Planet guidebooks. That was my goal and I was pretty narrow minded about it. I was so focused that I entered every competition, submitted author applications, photographer applications and compiled folders of my Lonely Planetesque images ready just incase they called me one day. Just to note, social media wasn’t around then…now you can totally just tag them or use a hashtag to get noticed, ha!

It took one competition entry to change my life one year after starting out as a journalist, a series of my photographs from Marrakech were published on lonelyplanet.com and the rest as they say is history. If I can do it, anyone can!

To start out, put together a list of the publications you want your work in. Take a note of the style of photography they publish, the amount of images per editorial and even go as far as checking out the photographers who get published in those magazines.

Most photographers who are published in travel magazines are regulars, they will have built up a reputation with the editor or a journalist and are someone they can call on for great shots. You want to be one of those people they call!

Contacting editors via email can be the best way to have your work seen. Be sure to know the publication before you approach them, and then send through an email with a story/photo feature idea that you believe will fit their publication perfectly. Make sure your pitch is relevant, straight to the point and time sensitive; most print publications will have issues ready months in advance so it’s worth checking their advertising cut-off dates in order to work out what type of content they’ll be after at what time of year. Pitching a summer photo feature when they’re working on winter destinations won’t get you very far!

I really can’t stress enough the importance of researching a publication BEFORE contacting them. You don’t want to be seen as unprofessional in your first email, you want to wow them and make them wonder why they’ve never heard of you before.

If you want to build a portfolio of published work before contacting the bigger publications, look at sites like Matador Network that allow you to submit stories or respond to requested articles. Or as noted above, create your own website and self-publish.

8. Build your Social Media Presence as a Travel Photographer

When I first started out in photography and journalism, social media didn’t exist. I know, crazy.

Now though, social media is actually an essential element to becoming a travel photographer and having your work seen.

It can be as simple as creating an Instagram account, sharing your work and tagging a tourism board so they can see what you’ve been photographing in the region. Simple little social media techniques will lead to future work and if you do it right, you might even find the work comes to you.

Social Media Tips:

– Curate your work, don’t publish every single photo ( read my guide to curating your own work here ) – Research destination relevant hashtags (#seeaustralia, #NZMustDo, #TravelFrance, #inspiredbyiceland) – Tag relevant brands, tourism boards or tour operators – Focus on building relationships with destinations or brands you want to work with (comment, like and share their content) – Build your social following by engaging with your audience. Ask questions in the caption, reply to every single comment you receive, follow other photographers!

Social Media Don’ts:

– Don’t obsessively tag brands and tourism boards if your work isn’t up to scratch yet. Wait until your content is professional enough to wow them. – Don’t ask for freebies if you don’t have an audience to benefit the brand, always think of how you can add value – Don’t get cocky because people start following, be humble, grateful and professional 🙂

Take a look at my post The Best 6 Social Platforms for Photographers , here you’ll find links to social platforms that work best to showcase your work.

Personally, Instagram and Steller are my favourites because they are all about the visuals and you’ll find a great community of creatives.

9. Master the Art of Self Promotion

This little section may be the most important part of all. It’s something I never realised was necessary when I had dreams of being a travel photographer and I wish someone had told me this so I’m sharing it with you all now…

You need to sell yourself.

I’m not talking about being a sell out, I mean you need to be confident in sharing your work, getting it seen and knowing who to show it to. No one is going to do it for you (unless you pay an agent!), mastering the art of self promotion will shape your career.

By using social media, your website, your portfolio, connections you meet, people you know through your mothers friend’s daughter…being confident to promote your work to anyone you meet is essential. You can even get crafty and make promotional products or postcards via sites like moo.com which allows you to print packs with multiple designs, perfect for sending out your portfolio in a fun and unique way!

A little tough love…if you aren’t confident that your work is good, why should anyone else be?

Own it. Be proud of the work you are creating and it will shine through.

Throughout your career you’ll find some people don’t take a liking to your work, and that’s totally fine. Photography is a subjective medium so not everyone is going to love every photo you take and I’m pretty sure you don’t like every photo you see on your Instagram feed either!

Knowing how to sell yourself and your photography portfolio is about finding how YOU can create the best content for a brand. How YOU can photograph the best shot of a hotel room. Whatever job you’re applying for, own your style and be confident in showing the client why they should hire you, try not to compare yourself to others too much.

Side note – I still get those anxious butterflies before a meeting, I still stumble my words when meeting a client for the first time and I still have doubts that maybe my work isn’t good enough. But masking those doubts has become easier over time and I can now put on a professional outside appearance, even if on the inside I’m shaking like a polaroid picture.

Read more – Self Promotion and Marketing for Photographers

Travel Photographer.

Just putting those two words out there so they’re really etched in your thoughts. You can do it!

So there you have it. If you’re serious about becoming a travel photographer I really think there’s nothing stopping you.

Set your goals, get studying on how to use your camera then begin creating your online portfolio to showcase your photography to the world!

While 1 in 1million may get catapulted to instant globe trotting glory, the road to becoming a full time travel photographer is long and at times frustrating. Success isn’t determined by how many likes you get or your follower count, it’s in whether or not you achieve your individual goals as a photographer.

Celebrating the small things will go a long way to creating happiness and the feeling of success in a creative industry!

Keen to learn more with The Wandering Lens?

If you’re eager to improve your photography, explore your creative talents and even perhaps work in the industry, you’ll find self-study courses and a library of eBooks and Workbooks via The Wandering Lens Store . I’ve developed online resources for photographers, creatives, dreamers, adventurers, travellers and freelancers. If that sounds like you, maybe we should connect and chat about your photography goals! These creative courses and resources bring together my 17+years of experience and lessons from working in the industry. I want to see others share their talents and get published, sell prints, find clients – to have the confidence to achieve whatever it is you want to within the field of photography. Get in touch via [email protected] if you’d like to chat about your photography!

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Get Involved + Share Your Work!

Because social media is one of the important steps listed above, be sure to share your work using the hashtag #thewanderinglens so I can follow along on your journey! Join The Wandering Lens Facebook Group and share ideas, your work or ask questions amongst like-minded photographers! You’re welcome to leave a link in the comments section below to share your photography story and include a link to your portfolio…

– Please note there are Affiliate Links to my preferred websites/brands/editing programs in the above article. All links are for programs and sites I personally use and recommend!

Hello! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens. With 17+yrs experience as a professional travel and landscape photographer, all advice found on this site is from my personal experience on the road. I hope it’s useful for your own travels and would love to hear in the comments about your trips and experiences around the world.

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Blog comments.

November 30, 2016 at 11:14 pm

Thank you for sharing this, I have a wordpress site already but maybe this will help make me actually do something with it! Love your site by the way 🙂

thewanderinglens

December 1, 2016 at 11:28 am

So lovely to hear Lindsay, definitely keep going with the WordPress site, once the hard work is done it’s so easy to add content and make your work visible!

December 1, 2016 at 12:44 am

This is a great resource! It’s packed with so much info. Thanks for sharing!!!!

December 1, 2016 at 11:27 am

Great to hear Jess! Good luck with your photography 🙂

Thekiwifrog

December 1, 2016 at 4:58 am

Great article Lisa. Super informative and with a great progression.

Just a note on the side. There is a tiny typo for steller that you spelt stellar. I wouldn’t mention it normally but in that case people might get confused if they look for it.

Let me know if you are still around the South Island. We could go for a shoot or coffee.

Cheers Nico

December 1, 2016 at 11:24 am

Thanks Nico, just fixed that up…I always confuse myself into thinking it’s with an ‘a’ 🙂 I won’t be back in NZ until later in 2017, I’ll definitely let you know once I’m heading that way though, can’t go a year without photographing the beautiful South Island! Cheers, Lisa

December 8, 2016 at 8:28 pm

Wow, thanks for the Tips! These are incredibly useful to know and I have already started some of these!

After spending the last 6 years fiddling and learning photography, my wife and I are about to move to Cambridge, UK from Melbourne. We are planning to post and write about our European trips in a capacity that is more than just telling our family what we are doing with the goal of allowing our work to eventually pay for our travel. Our first real post will be up soon, looking at our short weekend trip into the Wimmera/Mallee to visit the new Silo Art in the region. My Wife is a much better writer than I am and is currently editing!

I guess the hardest thing is getting a consistent style in your photos but we’ll just keep at it!

Thanks again for the advice and the inspiration

Nick Zupancich

January 14, 2017 at 7:06 pm

Nice write-up! I’m in the middle of this journey myself. It has had it’s fair share of bumps in the road and every day is an adventure. You were spot on when you mentioned that there is no predetermined set path to follow in becoming a travel photographer. Maybe that’s why this career choice is so interesting 🙂

My work can be found on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nazpicture/ and also here: NAZpicture.com

January 14, 2017 at 7:18 pm

Hi Nick, thanks for sharing, I absolutely agree, it’s definitely what makes it so interesting! Great to hear you’re on the same path, I just had a peek at your work and love the landscapes! Where are you based? Also…Mikko is adorable!!

January 15, 2017 at 10:47 am

Thank you! I’m currently based out of Colorado but will be moving into a custom sprinter van with my girlfriend in July. We will be living nomadically throughout the US and Canada after that! Should be a very exciting transition. Glad you love MIkko too! We just can’t get enough of him.

Jan Miřacký

February 24, 2017 at 9:14 pm

Another useful and very good content. This self-publishing on websites like Bored Panda is my greatest take-away from your article. Can you perhaps share how to manage your social media / business sites (like imagebrief.com) on a daily and weekly basis? What you do every day, what you check just let’s say once a week, etc. If you use any automation tools like Buffer or Later… That would be a great read without any doubts 😉

Cheers, Jan

March 1, 2017 at 3:57 am

Hi Jan, so happy to hear this article was useful. I’ll be sharing more on how I manage my photography business over the coming weeks in various articles…typically for Instagram I try to post once daily and for ImageBrief I simply respond to relevant briefs that suit images I already have on file. Keep an eye out for new posts weekly and hopefully I’ll cover something of interest to you 🙂

May 3, 2017 at 1:31 am

Hi, thanks for all the good information. For us beginners in social media, you fail to mention that it is not possible to upload photos from one’s computer to Instagram. That would be good information to know. I generally do not store my good images on my phone. Perhaps I should re-think the process.

May 3, 2017 at 1:56 am

Hi Claire, thanks for your message. That’s correct, it’s not possible to upload photos from your computer to Instagram however it’s quite popular to get around this by emailing the photos to yourself, then opening the email on your phone and storing the attached image in your phone’s library. This then allows you to post to Instagram. Alternatively there are a number of apps or plugins that allow you to upload to Instagram, most however will require payment. This is one I suggest looking at ‘ LR/Instagram ‘ but I can’t promise anything as I don’t personally use this method.

July 13, 2017 at 5:06 am

Hi Lisa, Great summary! It shows you that we travel photographers actually have to be jacks of all trades: sales agents, web designers, marketing and PR people, … and besides that we should find time to be photographers 😉 But in my opinion, this is what makes it so fun and interesting. Everyday is full of new challenges, and life doesn’t get boring. Keep up your great work, and maybe you are interested in following me along on my journey around the world as well: http://www.michaelaurban.com (you can find links to my facebook and instagram account in the top left corner of my homepage – can’t post them here as it’s considered spam 😉 ) Cheers, Michaela

July 19, 2017 at 6:40 am

Hi Michaela, Thanks for your comment! Photographers definitely have to be a jack of all trades, so much goes into each shoot before it’s even time to click the shutter! Your work is absolutely beautiful, I just had a peek at your website and Instagram. Really impressive! Where are you travelling to next?

July 24, 2017 at 8:03 am

I read in the comments that you will be on the south island of NZ later this year? I live in Alaska and will be moving there in just a couple months! Are you conducting any workshops while there? I am trying to take the next step in photography and currently enjoy shooting landscapes. It would be wonderful if our paths crossed! Cheers 🙂

Shirley Chio

June 17, 2018 at 6:49 pm

I am still learning photography using my phone camera. I am literally a beginner. Any tips for phone camera tricks?

Lisa Michele Burns

June 21, 2018 at 1:30 pm

Hi Shirley, if you’re starting out using your phone I’d definitely recommend thinking about creative composition instead of settings. Learning to see different angles and perspectives is a great way to take a step toward improving your photography.

Erin Douglas

February 6, 2018 at 3:41 am

This is a wonderful write-up. My wheels are turning and although you’ve told me just where to start, I feel overewhelmed already. I’ve been shooting for a while now, self taught, but have realzed the several areas I need to streghten, from techincal, to the business side of things. I have so many questions. Ultimately, i feel in love with travel photography when I took my first international and solo trip to the Philippines about 5 years ago. I love to just capture whats happening around me, the people, the culture, the food. And I absolutely love to talk to people about travel, inspire them to try it themselves. I just started taking myself seriously as a photographer 3 years ago. However, I feel lost on how to get the type of clients I want and the type of work I want. In the mean time I just shoot for me. who to reach out to, how to find them, what to say. And putting together that PDF portfolio. Are my best my best? and so on. This one page has already helped and Ill be reaching out to you via email. in the meantime here are some links to my work.

@aphotochick (IG): https://www.instagram.com/aphotochick/

http://www.erin-sha.com

Thanks again

David C. Hintz

February 10, 2018 at 2:11 pm

You have provided a great deal of information on a subject I am really interested in. I will be researching the websites on this list. I have started my own website at http://www.davidhintzphotography.com , I have sold some of my photos on microstock websites and now looking to sell directly from my own website. Thanks for all your work on this topic. I would be interested in your comments on my site if you had the time to look at it.

June 17, 2018 at 2:36 pm

This is a brilliant article on how to become a travel photographer and probably the most complete guide out there. I have read a lot of guides on how to take better pictures but there are very few that actually teach you how to go beyond that.

To be honest, I do not think I will ever make it as a travel photographer. I love travelling and I love capturing my adventures in pictures. And I know that I have some decent ones, but selling them seems like a daunting task. I think I might be better off as a travel journalist, to be honest, if only because that’s an area where I am more confident (and in a way, this article applies to becoming a travel journalist as well). I have, however, tried selling pictures through microstock sites. Getty Images, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock are the ones I have uploaded the highest number of images to. From my experience, these websites require you to spend a long time creating hashtags and correctly labeling your photos for very little reward. It is great because once the work is done, you can earn money forever. But chances are high that you will only get a few cents, if any at all. I think if you are serious about being a photographer, this one is not an option to consider.

June 26, 2018 at 2:24 pm

I am grateful to have the tips from Wanderinglens, the guide really helpful and give me lots of inspiration to get started become a travel photographer

Balamurugan.M.G

November 8, 2018 at 6:30 pm

Iam really impressed with the knowledge that you shared through your experience. Your guidance is awesome. Thanks a lot for your valuable information.

Michael Wahl

December 1, 2018 at 10:30 am

Love your site! How do you go about not needing work visas to do photography for tourism boards, hotels etc? I see a lot of travel photography in foreign places, but in most countries its illegal to work there and next to impossible to get a work visa as a photographer. Any advice on reaching out to brands/hotels/tourism boards etc overseas without finding myself being deported for working in their country?

Andrea Prunty

January 30, 2019 at 5:20 pm

After reading your article, it gotten me even more inspired to take up photograph again and back to actually using my degree for once (digital arts) and become a traveling photographer. Thanks, for getting me motivated and remember why I’ve became a art major in the first place.

January 30, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Oh my gosh Andrea this is the most amazing comment! I’m so happy my article inspired you back into the world of photography. Best of luck with your adventures, if you’re on Instagram or have a portfolio, feel free to leave a link so people can follow along! x

September 26, 2019 at 7:51 am

Hello Lisa,I’m so thankful for the break down on becoming a travel photographer.Your insight touch my soul.I will follow all steps on becoming the best photographer within meI’ll ,follow your daily blogs and FaceBook groups.I sometimes get caught in photo-block(something like a writer get when writing a book).I just created my first ever webpage,please stop by and leave a feedback.

Marco Joe Fazio

October 21, 2019 at 9:42 pm

I love photography and I captured lots of pictures while traveling in my life. You can also check my work by clicking on the link.

January 14, 2020 at 1:08 am

This is amazing blog, I learnt a lot about how to click mesmerizing pics while on travel.

Sara Sangalli

February 7, 2020 at 4:52 am

Thanks for the valuable informations, as a travel photographer wannabe myself I’ll try my best to use those suggestions in my path to “become a travel photographer”. Great article, thanks!

Emet Martinez

February 18, 2020 at 4:04 pm

Just wanted to thank you for this very informative guide and the inspiring images you’ve created. I’ve been following you in IG for about 2 yrs now. Wishing you all the best and hope to bump into you in Kyoto one of these days. Cheers!

March 26, 2020 at 11:37 am

Hi Emet, thanks so much for your lovely comment! Apologies for only seeing it just now, do you live in Kyoto? If so, you’re very lucky, it’s one of my favourite cities!

Talia shakespeare

April 24, 2020 at 11:07 pm

I’m 16 and i am trying to figure out what to do in college in September, i honestly love photography and travelling so i was doing research on if i could do both and this was the first and best website i came across. i hope i can become a successful photographer. I’m so proud that you have been able to inspire loads of people to follow their dreams.

Ranjay Mitra

May 26, 2020 at 12:33 pm

Very nicely written. It has to be a passion to keep doing, Ive seen many people who take up “travel photography” have this idea that once you get a camera, you have people flooding you with money to travel and get caught up in the dreams of becoming popular overnight. Selecting the right project, imho, is very essential to succeed in travel photography.

photographer

July 5, 2020 at 10:58 pm

Have been struggling to start my travel photography journey. I made a plan recently but with the COVID-19 situation all that planning is of no use anymore. What are your tips for travel photographers post the pandemic? How do you think this will affect them

July 6, 2020 at 7:32 pm

Thanks for your comment, Covid-19 has definitely made it difficult for those of us working in the tourism industry whether it’s in photography or hospitality. Now is definitely a time to assess your skills and try to create a plan for diversifying your income as a photographer. Who knows when travel will be possible again like it was before so it’s important to work on new ways of not only fulfilling your potential but for developing creative ideas and planning for the future. I definitely don’t think it’s all doom and gloom, challenges will always present themselves and it’s those who can adapt who will succeed. I wouldn’t throw that plan away just yet 🙂

Traveltourists

January 27, 2021 at 5:24 pm

That’s exactly what I was looking for, saving me a few hours of research, Thanks for sharing this for travelers.

Love Photography

June 26, 2021 at 9:51 pm

Very nice post and well explained, the main reason why i became a photographer is because i love it. i enjoy every single day at work, polishing my skills and learning about human nature

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6 Best Travel Photography Courses in 2023

A Post By: Jeremy Flint

These days, there are dozens of online travel photography courses, all claiming to share the secrets to success.

But which courses are top quality? Which are really worth the cost?

In this article, we share the six best travel photography courses you can purchase online. They’re instructed by renowned travel photographers such as Dan Rubin and Julia Nimke, and they’re designed for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners all the way to experts.

So if you’re serious about your travel photography and you want to level up your skills as fast as possible, then let’s dive right in, starting with our first recommendation:

1. Travel Photography for Beginners

Travel Photography for Beginners is a great course for newbies looking to get started with the travel photography basics; it’s all about learning the art of travel photography and capturing great photos while enjoying your adventures. Throughout the course, you’ll immerse yourself in the art of travel shooting, and you’ll discover plenty of tips and tricks for taking stunning photos along the way!

The class consists of a series of online lectures that feature welcome advice and content on subjects such as: capturing dramatic travel shots, how to choose the right travel photography gear , how to stay safe when traveling, and even how to earn a bit of money as a travel shooter. If you’re a fan of hands-on learning, then you’ll appreciate the shooting assignments, which are designed to cement class concepts and level up your skills.

Travel Photography for Beginners is low in cost, comes highly recommended, and is one of the best courses for anyone seeking to dive headfirst into the wonderful world of travel shooting.

2. The Travel Photography Course

If you love to photograph beautiful places around the world and you want to improve your photography as fast as possible, then The Travel Photography Course is a great choice.

You can do the course at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. It’s very in-depth and consists of 60 lessons plus exclusive interviews with 6 of the world’s best travel photographers. The content will teach you how to become a travel-snapping expert, from basic settings , composition , and lighting tips to advice on capturing stunning travel portraits , night shots, landscapes, and more.

The Travel Photography Course is a great investment if you’re serious about taking your travel photography to the next level. You’ll join 2,000 other students, and your instructor, Laurence Norah, will be available to answer questions every step of the way.

3. Travel Photography: Seeing, Shooting, and Editing

Skillshare offers hundreds of award-winning online courses for very affordable prices, and their top-notch travel photography course, taught by travel and lifestyle photography expert Dan Rubin, is a no-brainer.

Travel Photography: Seeing, Shooting, and Editing is exactly as wide-ranging as it sounds; you’ll learn everything you need to know about travel photography via short, easily digestible lessons, and various hands-on projects will ensure you practice and gain experience as you go.

The course encourages you to get creative, whether you use a DSLR, mirrorless camera, smartphone, or even a film camera, and it features plenty of tips for capturing gorgeous destinations like a travel photography pro. The course is only an hour long and is a great introduction to travel photography, especially if you’re a complete beginner.

Plus, Skillshare offers a wealth of other interesting online courses covering all types of photography, including portrait, landscape, and street shooting.

4. Adventure Photography (MasterClass)

If you’re a more experienced travel or adventure photographer, then you cannot miss this once-in-a-lifetime course from Jimmy Chin, National Geographic photographer and travel photography extraordinaire.

MasterClass’s Adventure Photography lets you leap straight into the world of evocative outdoor photography. It’s a comprehensive course designed to help you create breathtaking images while honing your travel photography skills; under Jimmy’s careful tutelage, you’ll learn how to handle lighting, composition, camera settings, and post-processing for your adventure shoots.

The course spans 18 lessons – you get a whopping 4 hours of content – and you can grab it for a reasonably priced monthly subscription. Note that Adventure Photography is aimed at experienced photographers, so if you’ve already mastered the basics, it’s a great choice.

5. Travel Photography: The Complete Guide

Travel Photography: The Complete Guide comes straight from Creative Live, the company with hundreds of excellent photography courses to its name – and with over 10 hours of content, 37 video lessons in HD, and expert tutor Ben Willmore, this comprehensive travel photography course will inspire you, excite you, and help you capture outstanding images.

The course covers everything you could possibly need to know about travel shooting, from travel gear recommendations, scouting tips, and subject choice (including architecture, panoramas, street and night photography) to composition, processing images with presets, and even advanced post-production skills using Photoshop and Lightroom.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate travel photographer hoping to learn from a master of the craft, this is the course for you.

6. Lifestyle and Travel Photography

Are you interested in combining lifestyle and travel photography for uniquely captivating images? Then check out Domestika’s Lifestyle and Travel Photography course, which is cheap, comprehensive, and full of inspiring images.

Lifestyle and Travel Photography is headed by expert lifestyle-travel shooter Julia Nimke, who teaches you to create a successful travel lifestyle photo project by sharing the story of a place. Along the way, you’ll learn how to edit your files and improve your Instagram game. And while the course follows Julia on a fun trip to Madrid, her teaching applies everywhere – from major metropolises to small towns.

This is a fairly low – cost course for beginners, and it’s a great way to kick your travel photography skills up a notch. You can learn from home, and when the course is completed, you’ll earn a certificate.

The best travel photography courses: final words

Whether you are looking to improve your travel photography lighting, camera technique, composition, or editing skills, there is a course out there that’s right for you.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for one of the best travel photography courses, and learn some new skills to help your photography grow!

Now over to you:

Which travel photography course do you plan to purchase? What do you hope to learn? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Jeremy Flint is an award-winning photographer and writer, specialising in travel, landscape and location photography and is known for documenting images of beautiful destinations, cultures and communities from around the world. Jeremy has won awards including the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize and the Association of Photographers Discovery Award, besides being commended in Outdoor Photographer of the Year. He has also been a finalist in the Travel Photographer of the year and British Photography Awards several times. He has been commissioned by commercial and editorial clients worldwide including National Geographic Traveller, Country Life, Discover Britain, USA National Parks and Visit Britain and has travelled extensively to over 65 countries.

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How to become a travel photographer

October 3, 2019

What is travel photography?

• Important logistics
• The upsides
• The downsides

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Becoming a travel photographer is the ultimate way to expand your photography business across borders. Whether you want to see beyond your city, state, country, or continent, travel photography can make that adventure part of your job description.

Becoming a travel photographer isn’t just wanderlust, though. This career involves a lot of hard work and a fair amount of logistical planning. But if you’re willing and able to go through these steps, then you could very well set up a successful travel photography business.

Here is your ultimate guide on how to become a travel photographer.

Travel photography, at its core, is the act of documenting scenes of travel. This basic travel photography definition can look like countless different things when put into practice, though. Becoming a travel photographer could mean photographing people, animals, landscapes, buildings, art, or any combination of the above. Though every travel photographer will have their specialty, you should get ready to hone your skills in photographing a wide variety of subjects if you want to become a travel photographer.

As a profession, travel photography could prove to be a difficult role to break into. Traveling to photogenic places for work is certainly a desirable job description. So, you’re not the only person wondering how to become a travel photographer. That said, if you’re willing to diligently work towards a travel photography career, then you could very well be part of the small proportion to actually make it happen.

To help you get there, we’ve compiled five crucial steps on how to become a travel photographer:

1. Start Small and Nearby

Depending on who you ask, anywhere can be a destination. Try to see your home base as a visitor would, and start thinking about how a travel photographer might approach documenting the scenes you see during your day-to-day routine. Does your neighbor want a portrait? How does that new development look through your camera lens? Perhaps the neighborhood stray cat is particularly photogenic.

Start approaching your photography practice as if you already are a travel photographer. And if luck has it that you already have travel planned for the future—say, for instance, a family vacation or a work trip for your day job—you’ll already have a solid amount of practice under your belt. As you travel, carve out time to seek out shoot-worthy people, places, and things. The products will be your first official travel photographs.

2. Build Up Your Travel Photographer Portfolio

Once you’ve captured your first images, start building an online travel photography portfolio. If you’ve already set up a more general portfolio website for your photography business, create a tab specifically for your travel photographs.

Keep plugging away at your travel photography until you feel proud of your portfolio. If you have the means, consider investing in trips specifically designed to diversify and amplify your portfolio. You could even consider selling prints to subsidize your travel.

3. Set Up Your Social Presence

Now that you’ve built up your online portfolio, it’s time to start making your presence known. Setting up your social presence is one of the best ways for a travel photographer to do that. Take to Instagram and start posting your portfolio. All of the general guidelines for expanding your Instagram reach will apply to your travel photography Instagram account.

If you’ve already set up an Instagram account for your general photography business, use that profile to make an announcement that you’re breaking into travel photography. Create a story highlight specifically for your travel photography, and start interacting with travel-centric hashtags. The more followers you gain, the more credibility you’ll be able to demonstrate to potential clients in subsequent steps of becoming a travel photographer.

4. Reach Out to Tourism Boards

Now that you’ve solidified your presence as a travel photographer through your online portfolio and your Instagram, getting in the door with potential travel photography clients will be much easier.

One easy way to break into the travel photography industry is to reach out to tourism boards. If you’re lucky, they will have work to commission from you. But even if they don’t, they will have lengthy lists of hotels, attractions, and travel companies who will need hard working and talented travel photographers to work for them. These commissions can jumpstart your travel photography career as you might have imagined it initially: getting paid to travel and document cultures other than your own.

5. Start Pitching Your Photography to Publications

Once you’ve landed some solid commercial work, use what you’ve produced through these jobs as clips to go after more editorial work, if that’s your end game. Reach out to publications to pitch yourself as a travel photographer. Provide links to previous projects so that potential editors can get a sense of your talents and experience. Again, starting small could be a good idea here. Reach out to smaller publications for travel photography commissions and then gradually work your way up to publications that can send you around the world for your photography.

Becoming a travel photographer: important logistics

Figuring out how to become a travel photographer won’t be all fun, games, and traveling the world. You’ll also need to tend to a fair amount of housekeeping to make sure your travel photography business is a successful one. It will be tempting to shirk these crucial responsibilities so that you can dedicate more attention to the photography itself. However, you’ll need to set a solid foundation for yourself before you drive straight into it all.

1. Register Your Business

If you don’t already have a formally registered photography business, then you might need to go through the process of registering your travel photography business. Unless you’re running your travel photography business as yourself under your legal name, then you’ll need to register your business name with state and local governments.

2. Get General Liability Insurance

Travel photography can often involve unforeseen accidents and expenses. With the active nature of the job, getting General Liability insurance for every shoot is particularly prudent for travel photographers. Also be sure to access a Certificate of Insurance to prove your coverage in case any of your travel photography clients require you to have it.

Thimble makes it easy for you to tailor short-term coverage to each travel photography assignment you shoot for. Our app even lets you purchase coverage on-the-go, so it’s easy to fit into your jet-setting lifestyle.

3. Set Up Your Finances Well

Even if you’re running your travel photography business as a freelancer or consultant , it’s crucial that you separate your personal and business finances. Mixing your personal and business finances will make tax season a nightmare and could lead to audits and fines.

As soon as you start spending on and earning from your travel photography business, set up a separate business bank account, open a business credit card account, and use accounting software to track your finances. This financial setup will make it much easier to accurately track and pay quarterly tax estimates for your travel photography business.

Becoming a travel photographer: the upsides

The advantages of becoming a travel photographer are well-known. Being a travel photographer typically carries all of the perks of working freelance—setting your own schedule and working remotely make a travel photographer’s lifestyle ideal for those who want flexibility.

But the benefits of freelancing are just the tip of the iceberg. Working as a travel photographer means expensable flights, accommodations, and transportation. You’ll be able to experience and document cultures other than your own, at no cost to you.

Of course, during the early stages of your travel photography career, this luxury is not a given. Most aspiring travel photographers will need to build up their portfolio and references before they’re able to land jobs that involve all-expenses paid trips. That said, this end goal can be something to work towards and look forward to.

Becoming a travel photographer: the downsides

Because the benefits are so appealing, there’s a lot of competition among aspiring travel photographers. As a result, this industry is relatively tough to break into. Becoming a travel photographer might require an initial out-of-pocket investment on your part. Overhead costs could include building a website, maintaining a strong digital presence, and some initial travel costs as you lay the foundation for your portfolio.

Not to mention, becoming a travel photographer will entail most of the downsides that come with freelancing. Be ready to do without predictable income patterns, healthcare benefits, or office space. Even more, depending on what kind of travel photographer you become, this job could very well prove to be more dangerous than your average photography occupation, much less your average office job.

How to become a travel photographer: next steps

Now that you’ve made it through our guide on how to become a travel photographer—what’s your next move?

If you’ve decided that the upsides of becoming a travel photographer outweigh the downsides, then it’s time to get started! Be sure to tend to the exciting and the not-so-exciting steps of how to become a travel photographer in equal parts. For every new journey you get to document, be sure to insure your business and record your expenses.

Written on October 3, 2019

Our editorial content is intended for informational purposes only and is not written by a licensed insurance agent. Terms and conditions for rate and coverage may vary by class of business and state.

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How To Become A Travel Photographer

Table of Contents

This guide has everything you need to know about how to become a travel photographer.

If you dream of becoming location independent or making any amount of money from travel photography, then you’re in the right place.

Make sure you finish reading this article.

I’m going to explain step-by-step how to kickstart your career. From selling images, to building a social media presence.

By the time you’ve finished reading this article you’ll have all the tools you need to go out there and make a name for yourself.

What exactly is travel photography anyway?

At first, you might think that the answer to what travel photography is, is a simple one. Well, unlike landscape or portrait photography, it’s not so clear-cut.

Travel photography can involve elements of landscape shooting, portraits or even product photography.

For example, you know what you’re going to be photographing as a wildlife photographer, wild animals.

As a travel photographer, however, you have to be prepared to shoot in many different situations.

The idea behind travel photography is storytelling and sharing your take on the world we live in. Whether that’s through a landscape, cityscape, portrait or even macro photography.

You need to be prepared for it all.

I’m not here to tell you that becoming a travel photographer is easy

Far from it.

Becoming a full-time travel photographer who gets paid to travel the world, camera in hand, takes a lot of work.

But you knew that already.

It goes without saying that opportunities to live your life on your own terms don’t come knocking on the front door.

You have to go out, find opportunities and claim them for yourself.

I know it’s a cliche, but being motivated and working hard really are two of the biggest pieces of the puzzle when it comes to making it as a successful travel photographer .

If you want to become a travel photographer you have to be able to take rejection and failure.

Because you will face it.

But learn from it and move on. If you don’t see every failure or setback as making it one step closer to being successful, you’re going to find it tough.

In short, you need to have the mindset that you know you’ll make it and that it’s just a matter of time.

How to get into travel photography

First, stand in the mirror and recited your best motivational speech.

Next, make sure your camera skills are up to the job.

You can have all the motivation in the world but if you take terrible photos then maybe travel photography isn’t for you.

Not just yet anyway.

Don’t ask your mum, dad or best friend if your photos are good because they have to say they are. Instead, join a good Facebook group for photographers and ask for a photo critique.

There are plenty of groups for photographers on Facebook. Use the search function and look for one that interests you.

If Facebook isn’t your style, try posting in  www.thephotoforum.com or the r/photocritique subreddit and ask for a critique there.

Just know how to take criticism well.

It’s not always easy hearing other people point out the faults in an image you thought was great. If you don’t take it personally, and instead see it as an opportunity to learn, you’ll bring your photos up to standard in no time.

I see a lot of people trying to sell their work before they have asked other, more experienced, photographers what they think.

It amazes me sometimes.

Soak up as many free expert opinions as you can! Ask directly if they think your work is good enough to sell.

What to photograph?

Start by shooting what’s around you.

Like I said before, travel photography is all about telling a story and sharing the world as you see it. So start by building a portfolio of the iconic locations in your area.

Get some cool street shots of people going about their business on a typical day or that epic shot of your cities’ skyline, or some stunning landscapes at sunrise.

Use whatever you have.

If you already have a portfolio, try building on it but from a travel perspective. Think about what best depicts your home and what makes it unique. Think about what kinds of photos tourism boards would use to promote the area.

I’m not going to go into specifics of how you should take photos. That part is up to you as a creator. But think about what you love about where you are and why you think people should come and see it.

The second biggest question I get asked by people after they ask how to become a travel photographer, is how to build a social media following.

And yes, building engaged social media accounts is an important part of becoming a travel photographer.

The number 1 thing you should start doing as soon as you’ve finished reading this article is start working on your social media presence.

If you don’t already have at least an Instagram and Twitter account, get yourself one of each.

A Facebook page is also good, although it’s hard to get free organic reach these days as Facebook wants you to pay for adverts to get your posts in front of, well, anyone really.

Instagram is your online portfolio these days.

So put effort into it and make it look professional (no selfies or pictures of your breakfast!).

It gives potential clients an idea of whether or not people actually like the work you produce. You stand a much better chance of landing an assignment with a client if they can see your photos get people talking and engaging with them.

Twitter is a great way of actually interacting with your followers and can be a little more personal.

Managing social media accounts as a photographer

Building a following isn’t easy.

Building an engaged following is even harder.

The first thing you need to do is obvious, you need to post amazing photos. Photos that are unique and that get people’s attention.

They should be only your very best images. Anything that is second-rate shouldn’t see the light of day. Don’t worry about posting every day, you’re better off posting once a week but posting amazing photos every time.

The second step is getting those images noticed. You do that by using travel photography hashtags that get the most engagement and by interacting with other people on the platform.

By interacting with other people on the these social media platforms for photographers you’ll be creating a network and also getting your own name out there. It’s a slow process, at least at the beginning, but eventually people will start to notice your name popping up more and more.

Reply to all comments, ask other people questions and just generally show your appreciation for other people’s work. A little praise goes a long way.

Before you know it you will have a handful of people who you get to know and who exchange meaningful comments with you. The number of comments your photos get is how the social media platform’s algorithms judge whether to show it to more people or not.

More comments equal more exposure.

Equipment all aspiring travel photographers need

As a travel photographer you’re going to want to keep your bag fairly light, but at the same time have enough equipment to cover all different situations. Just like we talked about before.

At the very least you need to have:

• Mirrorless or DSLR camera

I always recommend mirrorless cameras for travel photography because they are smaller and lighter than conventional DSLRs.

In the last few years, the photography world has crept closer and closer to becoming a mirrorless one. Sales of mirrorless cameras have exploded and manufacturers that weren’t previously interested in producing them have had to rethink their approach.

There are so many great mirrorless cameras on the market these days to suit all budgets. We regularly update an article with the best mirrorless cameras for travel photography currently available, so check it out.

Obviously, you’ll need a few other pieces of gear as well. But we’ve got a separate article solely about equipment so if you’re interested, check that out.

In that article, we’ll talk about specific recommendations and other bits and pieces you’ll find useful if you’re going to carry your studio around with you on your back.

Selling photos as a travel photographer

If you’ve got this far, well done, I guess the end game is to make some money as a travel photographer then?

So where do you start?

Let’s assume you don’t have any assignments yet as you’re just starting out. If that’s the case then your workflow should go something like this:

• Edit, name and keyword all of your images at the end of the day.
• Start by going after editorial work. Group related images together in a Dropbox or Google Drive folder. Groups of images should tell a story and compliment each other. Make sure the images in these folders are not watermarked but are low-resolution. That way, it will prevent people from using your photos without authorisation but won’t spoil them by having a horrible watermark imposed over the top.
• Write a short story that goes with each group of images to help bring them to life. This is your chance to really sell your images, so get creative and get people’s imaginations working.
• Contact travel magazines, tourism boards of the destination your images were taken in, or just about any other company that has a need for fresh travel-related photos. Find an email address and send them a short, but informative, pitch (how to pitch your travel photography to clients). Include the links to the Dropbox or Google Drive folders containing the photos and short accompanying stories that you think they would be interested in.

TIP : Be upfront about how much you charge per image. Use the Getty Images Price Calculator  to get a rough idea of how much you should charge.

• If you get a positive response and someone wants to license some of your images then send them full-resolution versions and treat yourself to a cold beer. You just made your first sale!

Now, this is what you do with the images you have left that didn’t sell as editorial in steps 1-5.

• Sign up to a rights-managed stock agency (do some Googling to find a good reputable one that is accepting new photographers, it can be tricky)
• If you get approved, upload your images there and see which ones get accepted. You get a much better cut of the sale from rights-managed agencies compared to microstock agencies so that’s why I suggested doing this before moving onto the next step.
• Make non-exclusive accounts on microstock websites such as iStock and Shutterstock and upload the images that didn’t get accepted by rights-managed there. Make sure that you have given them good descriptive titles and lots of keywords (if you use Lightroom then you can add keywords for each image there, if not you can do it when you upload).
• Any images that didn’t sell as editorial in steps 1-5, and also didn’t get accepted by rights-managed stock agencies in steps 6-7, will end being thrown into microstock. That way you should have very few ‘burner’ images left (ones that you just cannot sell at all). Following these 10 steps will help you squeeze out the last bit of remaining value from your photos.

Stock photography brings its own challenges to the table, so make sure you read our guide to selling stock photography for more in-depth information.

Creating relationships with clients

Even though it’s a lot of effort to write a ton of individual pitches and backstories for your photos, the reason I say you should go after editorial work first is for two reasons. Firstly, it pays the best and secondly, it opens a dialogue with people who you know are always looking to buy images.

The main idea behind travel photography is storytelling and sharing your take on the world we live in.

If you make a sale you shouldn’t just leave it at that and never speak to the client again.

Nurture the relationship and the next time you have some photos that relate to their business email them first and say something like this:

Just make sure you don’t spam people. Only offer images that would be a good fit for them. You’ll gain more respect and build trust that way.

Then you never know what will happen. After working with the same client a few times and building a good working relationship, they might offer you assignments.

This is where your travel photography career really gets interesting

Assignments are the best way to make a good salary as a travel photographer.

When people first think of getting into travel photography, jetting off on assignments is the image they most likely have in their head. They imagine you getting a phone call to go off to some exotic destination and take photos.

All expenses paid and getting a nice paycheck at the end of it.

It’s not easy to get to that point, and it will most likely take a few years of hard work and building relationships to get there, but it is possible.

Travel photography is a great career ; you will face setbacks along the way, but, if you persevere and know that one day you’ll achieve your goals, then carving out a career in travel photography will one day become a reality.

Frequently asked questions

How much money does a travel photographer make.

This is a question that isn’t easy to answer. It totally depends on how you make money . Is it assignments? Stock photography? Editorial?

These are all things that determine how much money you can make. If you’d like to know more about the money side of things, this article about an average travel photographer’s salary is a great resource.

What education do you need to be a travel photographer?

None! That’s the great thing about photography. Your background doesn’t matter. You can easily learn everything you need to know about taking great photos online these days.

While I’m not belittling people who have studied photography, I’m just saying it’s not strictly necessary to have any formal education in it. Some of the best photographers I know have no formal education in the subject.

Do I need to take a course?

Again, no you don’t. While taking a course can be a great way of becoming a travel photographer in the least amount of time possible, it’s not something you need to do.

You can find plenty of great information online for free.

There are some benefits to taking a course though. You won’t have to spend time searching the internet and with a course, you’ll get an experienced mentor to walk you through the lessons step-by-step.

Over to you…

Now the focus is on you to act.

If you’ve ever thought to yourself “I want to be a travel photographer” then today is the day that journey begins.

Which one of the things I’ve talked about above are you going to implement today?

Are you going to start asking more experienced travel photographers to critique your work?

Are you going to start pitching editorials?

Or are you going to focus on building a following and a community on social media?

Whatever it is, I want to know.

Leave me a comment below!

I’m a professional travel photographer, and I’ve been living the digital nomad lifestyle since 2016. I make money by working on client assignments, selling stock photography and helping other photographers by sharing my experiences on this website. I move around at my own pace (I hate fast-paced travel) and like to spend a few months getting to know each place I base myself in.

My writing and photos have been featured on industry leading websites such as Digital Photography School , Atlas Obscura and the world’s leading underwater photography resource The Underwater Photography Guide . I authored an eBook called “ Breaking Into Travel Photography: The complete guide to carving out a career in travel photography ” that has been published on Amazon. My stock images have also appeared in ads promoting destinations and companies that sometimes has been a surprise, even to me. But I guess that’s the nature of stock photography, you never know who will license them!

I’m always happy to connect, so feel free to reach out!

4 thoughts on “How To Become A Travel Photographer”

D’know Charlie you give great advice. Yeah it’s not easy but what is these days? Sharing your experiences only encourages me more to carry on carrying on. One day it’ll all come good for sure. Just love the info and background. Cheers.

Excellent advice and tips. It is difficult to get into but if you take great pictures that you love then others are bound to appreciate them.

Great article. Im going to try to do what you suggest. Im optimistic 🙂

Good luck! Keep me posted 🙂

Comments are closed.

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How to Become a Travel Photographer? [A Comprehensive Guide]

How to become a travel photographer? Travel photography isn’t just a profession; it’s a window to the world, offering the unique opportunity to capture the essence of diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and untold stories.

This guide is designed to illuminate the path for aspiring travel photographers, providing the necessary steps, insights, and advice to turn this dream into a reality.

Table of Contents

What Is Travel Photography?

Travel photography, by its essence, is a field of photography dedicated to capturing the essence of a place’s landscape, inhabitants, and cultural nuances. The travel photographer serves as both a gatherer and preserver of experiences, adept at conveying the emotions and vibes of a locale in a way that sparks a desire to explore. 

It extends beyond merely capturing happy moments on a beach; it’s about meticulous observation, thorough research, and deliberate framing. Embarking on a career in travel photography demands a commitment to mastering the art, but the perks—regular journeys to novel, exhilarating, and picturesque places—are undeniably compelling.

What Do Travel Photographers Do?

A travel photographer’s primary aim is to take breathtaking photographs that document their adventures in places far from their home base. They act as both narrators and instructors, showcasing the world’s vast diversity and freezing moments in time exactly as they unfolded.

For someone in this line of work, the primary motivation for traveling is to capture images, presenting a unique set of challenges in pursuit of the perfect shot. Yet, despite these obstacles, numerous travel photographers regard their profession as one of the most rewarding within the realm of photography.

Related: Best Photography Software for Travel Photographers

The Basics of Travel Photography

Before embarking on your journey, mastering the fundamentals of photography is essential. Composition, lighting, and storytelling are the pillars upon which great photography stands. Familiarize yourself with your camera, whether it’s a DSLR, mirrorless, or a high-end smartphone. The digital age offers a plethora of resources—online courses, workshops, and literature—aimed at honing your skills. Embrace these learning opportunities, and practice relentlessly.

How Can You Become a Travel Photographer?

Becoming a travel photographer is an appealing prospect for many, combining the thrill of exploring new places with the creative challenge of capturing them through photography. Here’s a roadmap to embark on this career path, inspired by the earlier outlined structure:

Developing Your Unique Style and Vision

Travel photography encompasses various genres, including landscapes, urban scenes, cultural portraits, and wildlife. Exploring these areas can help you discover your niche and develop a unique photographic voice. Your style is further refined through post-processing, utilizing tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to bring your vision to life. Remember, a consistent and unique style sets you apart in a crowded field.

Building a Professional Portfolio

Your portfolio is your calling card. Carefully select images that showcase your best work and reflect your unique style. A compelling portfolio should be accessible both online and in physical form, demonstrating your versatility and storytelling capability. Social media platforms and photography websites offer valuable exposure, allowing your work to be discovered by a global audience.

Networking and Professional Growth

The journey of a travel photographer is enriched through community. Engage with photography groups, attend workshops, and enter photo contests to connect with peers and industry professionals. These relationships can open doors to opportunities, collaborations, and invaluable learning experiences.

Monetizing Your Work

Sell your photos as prints, offer photography workshops, write travel articles, or work with tourism boards and brands. Stock photography can also be a steady income source. Don’t be shy about reaching out to magazines, travel blogs , and online publications to sell your photos or stories.

Turning your passion into profit involves exploring various revenue streams. Stock photography, selling prints, conducting workshops, and partnering with travel brands are viable options. Pitching your work to magazines and online publications can also yield assignments and projects. A professional website and online store are indispensable tools for showcasing and selling your work.

Read More: Stephanie Drenka Dallas Fashion Travel Blogger Photographer

How to Become a Travel Photographer and Get Paid?

To become a travel photographer and get paid, you’ll need to blend skill development, strategic marketing, and networking into a cohesive career strategy. Start by mastering the technical aspects of photography and cultivating a unique style that sets your work apart. Building a compelling portfolio is crucial; it should showcase your best work and highlight your unique perspective on the world. 

Utilize social media and a professional website to share your photographs and connect with a broader audience. Networking is key; engage with other photographers, join online forums, and participate in photography groups to build relationships within the industry. Consider diversifying your income streams by selling prints, offering workshops, writing travel blogs, or collaborating with travel agencies and tourism boards. Pitching your work to magazines, travel guides, and online platforms can also open up opportunities for commissioned projects. 

Continuously improve your craft and stay adaptable to the ever-changing demands of travel photography. By combining your passion for photography with a strategic approach to business, you can turn your dream of becoming a paid travel photographer into a reality.

Packing Checklist: 11 Things to Bring

Heading off on an adventure without your full kit of travel photography gear is far from optimal. Before venturing out into the unexplored, ensure you have packed the following essentials:

• Camera equipment and lenses
• Memory cards and card readers
• Batteries and battery chargers
• Camera cleaner
• Weather protection

Travel Photographer Education Requirements

Although possessing a degree in photography or the arts can aid in launching your travel photography venture, formal education isn’t mandatory for a career in this field. Ultimately, your potential clients are more interested in your capability to capture breathtaking photos than in your academic qualifications. Thus, while diplomas may enhance your resume and attest to your experience, it’s your portfolio that will truly captivate your audience and help you secure more assignments.

Related Read: Designing the Perfect Logo for Your Travel Photography Business

Practical Tips for Travel Photographers

Travel photography demands mobility and preparedness. Choosing the right camera, lenses, and accessories is crucial for your gear. Plan your trips meticulously, considering the logistics of your destinations, and always prioritize the safety and security of your equipment. Familiarize yourself with the legalities of photography in different countries, including copyright laws and permits.

Travel Photographer Skills and Qualities Needed

A photography career presents various specializations, and possessing a broad skill set along with certain attributes can aid in achieving success as a travel photographer. In addition to being skilled in numerous photographic methods, travel photographers frequently have abilities including:

• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Organizational skills

Travel photographers often exhibit a unique blend of qualities that enable them to capture the essence of their journeys and subjects. These qualities include:

• Flexibility
• Self-motivation
• Independence
• Passion for traveling

Is Travel Photography a Good Career?

Pursuing a career in travel photography is a dream for many, yet it comes with its own set of hurdles.

Travel photographers often spend countless hours on planes, trains, and automobiles, and waiting at transit stations. The nature of securing jobs in this field might mean long stretches away from home and solitude. In the early stages of your career, the amount of work and compensation can fluctuate significantly.

The advantages of being a travel photographer are numerous. This career path opens doors to incredible destinations and encounters with remarkable individuals. It provides opportunities to connect with other creative minds, experience new cuisines, and enjoy a flexible schedule that encourages the exploration of new concepts.

To Know More: Enhancing Photography with Search by Image Technology

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Travel photography is fraught with challenges, from navigating cultural sensitivities to dealing with logistical hurdles. Understanding and respecting local customs is paramount. Learning basic phrases in the local language, ensuring personal safety, and being adaptable are keys to overcoming these obstacles.

Becoming a travel photographer is a journey marked by continuous learning, personal growth, and the relentless pursuit of capturing the beauty and diversity of our world. It requires dedication, skill, and the courage to step into the unknown. Remember, every great photographer started somewhere.

With passion, perseverance, and a willingness to learn, you too can carve out your niche in the vast, vibrant world of travel photography. Keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, keep shooting. The world awaits your vision.

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How to Become a Travel Photographer: Types, Pay, and Skills

What photographer hasn’t dreamed of traveling the world, visiting exotic destinations, and capturing inspiring images? Imagine the sights you would see, the stories you would have to tell.

But how practical is a career path as a travel photographer? Is there really a need? Can you actually make a living? What do you have to do to break into the business?

Is it really viable to live your dream?  Read on to find out.

It’s a big topic, and i’ll be honest, there isn’t a single right way of doing things. There are many paths to becoming a successful travel photographer. However, it is possible to make your dream come true. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of how to become a travel photographer and get paid to travel the world.

Types of Travel Photographers

One of the appealing things about travel photography is that there are a lot of ways to approach it. Many travel photographers work for themselves or do freelance work contracting with companies and rustling up their own clients. Others work for a specific company.

Many types of photography are also involved. Even if you work primarily as a portrait photographer, when you travel for it the destination also becomes part of the shoot, meaning you’ll need to be good at landscape photography also.

To give you a better idea of your options, let’s look at a few common types of travel photographers.

Resort Photographer

This can be a great gig for travel photographers who still like a bit of stability. World-class resorts around the world hire resort photographers as a service for their guests. You might photograph people participating in activities and adventure tours, offer family portrait sessions, or help staff the on-site photography store.

This work tends to be seasonal, giving you the opportunity to spend a few months at a ski resort followed by a few months at a beach destination. The resorts often offer accommodations at a reduced rate so you won’t have to worry about finding a place to live or transportation.

Cruise Ship Photographer

Another way to enjoy a stable job is to work as a cruise ship photographer. You’ll mostly be working on the cruise ship, offering portrait sessions and photographing events. But you may get a chance to get off the ship and visit some of the amazing ports of call your ship will be visiting!

You’ll have to be okay with a little monotony in exchange for stability in this role as life on board the ship can be a little boring. You’ll also have to be okay with living in only a tiny little cabin for personal space. The plus side is that you have virtually no living expenses!

Photojournalist

Both the previous positions are great for travel photographers who are just getting started. Photojournalist positions, however, are highly sought-after and you’ll have to have already developed sharp skills to land one of these jobs. And be prepared for stiff competition.

This type of photography often involves photographing events, issues, or a particular subject or location. You’ll also need strong writing skills as you may be required to write the story that your photos will be accompanying.

Wildlife Photographer

Hello National Geographic! If you love photographing nature and wildlife, this could be a good role for you. It won’t be easy, however. Getting those epic images of animals in the wild requires a lot of patience and expensive equipment (i.e. super long lenses). It’s doubtful that this photo was taken with a nifty-fifty !

Destination Wedding Photographer

There are two ways you can approach destination wedding photography . First, you can move to an exotic location that attracts destination wedding couples. Second, you can travel with your clients to whatever epic destination they’re visiting. You can also do both, nothing is stopping you!

This is a great way to combine a love of portrait photography with landscape photography. Not only will you be focusing on photographing their event, but also showcasing the location.

Travel Photographer/Blogger

These days many people are striking out on their own and leveraging the Internet to their advantage. If you can make your site stand out among the crowd, this can be a great way to “be your own boss” and fund your travels.

It can also be nerve-wracking for those who prefer a steady paycheck. Travel photographers often have more than one income stream to provide more stability and this is a good egg to have in your basket.

Freelance Travel Photographer

Many travel bloggers might also work as freelance photographers. These are photographers who run their own business and take on clients looking for specific content. At times they may work for various clients at once. Other times they may score a more stable gig working with a big client for a regular monthly income.

Social Media Influencer

Social media influencer is a relatively new way to be a travel photographer. You have to be savvy with social media and have already developed a strong following before you can begin.

Once you’re in a position to offer your services you can start reaching out for sponsorships and marketing partnerships. Companies will pay big money for images featuring their products in exotic locations and being marketed to your (substantial) following.

Photowalk Guide/Photography Teacher

Once you get a few years of experience behind you, becoming a photo walk guide or teacher is a great next step. You could live in a coveted photography destination and offer photo walks in your area. People will love to have a local photography guide to ensure they are at their destination at the right time of day as well as offer pointers based on experience shooting a particular location.

You can also arrange workshops and photo walks to take groups to other locations. You’ll need a good level of experience as well as the ability to visit and scout the locations ahead of time. After all, people are paying you to know what’s going on, not figure it out on the fly.

Is Travel Photography a Good Career?

I’ve talked about the various career paths that you can take as a travel photographer. But how do you know if travel photography is right for you?

On paper, it sounds exotic and glamorous. Who wouldn’t want to visit some of the most gorgeous destinations in the world and create jaw-dropping images? But in reality, working as a travel photographer is quite demanding.

You’ll spend many hours riding in planes, trains, and automobiles, and waiting around in airports. A lot of that time you’ll spend alone, or with people you don’t know. You’ll be away from home a lot and that can be difficult if you have a family.

You’ll have to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and think on your feet. You are a slave to the light so, even if you’re jet-lagged and exhausted, you might have to drag yourself out of bed to get those epic images in that soft just-after-sunrise light. Then, you might have to stay up to catch it at the other end of the day.

Your finances can also be rather uncertain. A few lucky travel photographers work for a company and can depend on a steady income. Many work as freelancers or work for themselves, meaning they are responsible for finding new clients and operating their own business.

So, is travel photography a good career? The answer is not straightforward and largely depends on whether what you just read sounds exciting to you.

How Do I Get a Job as a Travel Photographer?

There is no one way to get a job as a travel photographer. How you get started will depend largely on the career path you take. For example, becoming a resort or cruise ship photographer will require scouring the Internet for and applying to job openings. Becoming a photojournalist is going to require more experience and a more refined skill set.

However, there are a few things you can do to start the process and strengthen your chances of being hired when you find the opportunities you’re looking for.

Build a Portfolio

No matter whether you’re applying to an open job position or looking for your own clients, everybody’s going to want to see what you can do. To that end, crafting a rock-solid portfolio , and updating it often, is key.

There are a few different ways that you can build a portfolio. You might create a PDF booklet that you can easily email to potential clients or publishers. You can create an online gallery on your own site or even use sites like 500px to host it.

Regardless of the form it takes, your portfolio should be a concise gallery of images showing what you do and how good you do it.

Concise is the key word there. Though we would love to think this, people don’t actually want to spend hours browsing through our portfolios. They want to glance at a few images to get an idea, make their decision, and be done within a few seconds.

Make those seconds count!

Keep in mind that you might want to create different portfolios for different types of clients.

Develop Your Niche

Photography is a big world and while you can dabble in everything, you won’t become amazing unless you specialize. There are so many types of photography you can choose from — macro, landscape, portrait, wedding, astrophotography, and so much more.

Plus, you can develop your own unique approach to your favorite type, creating a recognizable look that is all your own. When someone familiar with your work can see one of your photos and know you took it without being told, you’ve mastered your niche well.

How do you figure out your niche?

Start with your portfolio. These (should be) your best work, and the type of work you’re looking to attract more of. Also, don’t be afraid to look at your favorite work, the photos that make your heart sing. You might not have included them in your portfolio because you don’t think they’d sell, but this is still a good clue about what your niche should be.

Getting Clients

Once you’ve honed your skills and built your portfolio, you’re ready to search for clients. Whether you build your own business or go the freelance route, you’ll need to know how to find the right types of clients.

Start with local travel clients. Talk to hotels and tour operators in your area. These types of businesses are constantly looking for new content to post on their website and social media. Someone has to take all those pictures and by working with a local operator you can more easily develop relationships with repeat clients.

Don’t be afraid to reach out. Research companies you’d like to work with and build a proposal that shows them what you can do for them. Once you’ve wowed them with your service, keep it up by finding creative ways you can continue working together.

Tips for Success

Without a doubt, there are legions of photographers out there who would love to make travel photography their career. However, it’s likely that most of them will fail. It takes a certain type of determined person with a strong internal motivation to be successful as a travel photographer — or pure luck, perhaps. But because travel photographers tend to work with so many different clients, getting lucky often enough to make a living is unlikely.

So, what can you do to make your venture as a travel photographer succeed? Let’s look at our top tips for success.

Learn Your Craft Well

A basic knowledge of photography is not going to get you where you want to go as a travel photographer. You might be able to land a job as a resort or cruise ship photographer with basic skills, but if you want to advance, you’re going to have to get good.

You have to develop your eye for taking pictures by studying composition rules — and understanding when you can break them. In order to adjust quickly for changing lighting conditions, you’ll need to understand the relationship between ISO, shutter speed, and aperture . You will adjust these differently depending on the circumstances to create a well-exposed image.

Furthermore, you’ll need to know how to pick locations, choose angles, and find good lighting. As you’ve already discovered, you can take a snapshot with the click of a smartphone button. However, if you want to create a masterpiece image that someone will pay $1000 for, you’ve got to understand all the work that builds up to clicking the shutter.

You also have to know what you can do with editing software after clicking that button. In this day and age of digital photography, editing skills are a necessary part of taking pictures. This is especially true if you want to take pictures that sell.

Don’t Give Up

I’ll be honest, it can be downright discouraging getting started as a travel photographer. Even seasoned professionals go through dry spells that make them question their skills and relevance as a photographer.

You’ll probably apply to a lot of positions or send your portfolio to a lot of clients only to receive no response or an unfavorable one.

Keep your chin up. Don’t be afraid to accept constructive criticism on your work and understand that maybe your work won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s a fine line to walk, accepting criticism without feeling devastated by it. If you manage it right, you can learn from it and improve your images.

Be Creative

Let your creativity flow. Be the photographer that arrives at an often photographed destination, but takes the photo that stands out. That means you’re going to have to find a new angle or come at an odd time of day when everyone is occupied with something else.

Proven techniques might not work with every site you photograph. Come up with new ones to make your images unique.

Have a Plan

Every once in a great while you get a “lucky” shot that “just happens.” But you can’t build a career on that. Most amazing travel images have hours of planning behind them.

The photographer doesn’t often just “happen” to be in the right spot at the right moment. They spend hours on the Internet and in-person scouting locations. They choose the right time of day, they scout the location looking for the best angle or a unique perspective on a popular landmark, they carefully choose the settings they’ll need. Then, they wait for that one instant when it’s time to press the shutter and capture that magical moment.

Watch and Wander

That being said, there are also times that you might stumble upon something that wasn’t a part of your plan. When you visit a new location, set aside a bit of time for exploring. Wander through the local marketplace, talk to the locals and ask about landmarks or scenic locations in the area that might not necessarily appear in the guidebooks.

You might not stumble across these locations at the best time of day, but now that you know they’re there, you can come back when the light will be amazing.

Choose Your Gear Carefully

Your most important asset as a photographer is you and the understanding of photography that you carry around in your head. However, what’s in your bag also has an impact on the quality of the images that you shoot.

When you’re traveling around, it isn’t practical to bring along loads of gear. On the flip side, you don’t want to be in the right place at the right time without the right gear to get the shot.

To that end, you’ll need to choose your gear carefully. Mirrorless cameras are generally smaller and lighter than DSLRs and can be a good choice for travel photographers. The Canon EOS RP or the Sony Alpha A7 II are both good choices for full-frame cameras.

As far as lenses, you’ll probably want at least a wide-angle or mid-range lens and a telephoto lens. You can use primes, but zoom lenses and the versatility they offer are definitely a travel photographer’s friend. Here’s a more in-depth look at one travel photographer’s gear bag to give you a better idea.

How Much Money Do Traveling Photographers Make?

As you might have guessed by now, there is no one answer to this question. There isn’t even a range we can give you. How much you can make as a travel photographer largely depends on the type of travel photographer you choose to be. Furthermore, it will depend on your success getting clients and the budget range they tend to be in.

According to the website ZipRecruiter.com, the very top tier of travel photographers based in the US makes between $114,500 and $136,500 . However, this is only the top 5% of jobs. The national average is $61,760 with most people earning somewhere between $30,500 and $89,500.

A career as a travel photographer for most people will be a direct result of how much effort they put into their craft. You can do well for yourself, but expect to put in a lot of hard work to get there.

Is it worth it? Only you can decide if the perks of the job outweigh the challenges. To help you decide, let’s look next at some of the pros and cons of being a travel photographer.

Pros and Cons of Travel Photography

There are a lot of amazing pros to working as a travel photographer. Let’s start with the pros.

• You get to travel to and photograph amazing destinations all over the world, there’s always new visual information to work with
• You get to experience so many things in person (wildlife, places, cultures, etc.) that most people will only see in photographs — or never see at all
• You get to meet interesting people and work with/learn from other amazing photographers and creatives
• You get to hear and tell Incredible stories
• You get to learn about other cultures
• You have a flexible work schedule that is not boxed into Monday through Friday
• You get to try exotic cuisines
• You might find that you start becoming the most interesting person at parties

Of course, there are some hefty downsides to all that glitz and glamour.

• You spend a lot of agonizing hours on planes and in airports
• You are jet-lagged a lot (and maybe have to work when exhausted)
• It may be uncertain when or where you’ll find new work
• You may not have a home (or won’t spend much time there)
• Maintaining relationships is difficult, you’ll know a lot of people, but have few truly meaningful relationships
• You spend a lot of time away from your family
• You live out of a suitcase
• You might visit sketchy areas of the world while hauling around expensive equipment (always have insurance and remember that your life is worth more than your camera)

The type of travel photographer you choose to become will change the pros and cons of your particular experience. But this list gives you a basic idea of what to expect.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Travel Photographer?

In general, a degree is helpful, but not required to be a travel photographer.

You’ll need to learn photography, but formal education is not necessary for this. With the wealth of resources available online, many amazing photographers are self-taught or have benefited from courses here and there. You can also study photography at vocational schools, community colleges, or art schools.

Some career paths may require a degree for other skills. For example, to land a job as a photojournalist a Bachelor’s in journalism may be required by certain employers. If you’re planning to be running your own business a degree in business administration may be helpful.

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Travel Photographer?

Photography is a big world, which is why many photographers specialize in a certain area such as landscape photography or portraiture. Travel photographers, however, tend to shoot a wide variety of subjects using different types of photography. You’ll need to be at least a little bit good at a variety of photography types to succeed.

Other skills that will be necessary/extremely helpful include:

• Marketing skills
• People and communication skills
• Ability to spend time alone
• Attention to detail
• Planning and organization
• Adaptability
• An optimistic outlook
• Quick reflexes
• Editing skills
• An insatiable curiosity to explore more of the world

How Do I Get Paid to Travel?

To get to the point where companies are willing to pay to send you to exotic destinations, you’re going to have to work hard. Become an amazing photographer with a unique view of the world. Build a portfolio that makes people go “wow!” Pound that pavement searching for new opportunities and clients.

Below is a good video on travel photography:

Most of all, don’t give up. Your dream of being a travel photographer can come true, but the person on whom your success depends is… you.

To read about how one travel photographer made his dream come true, check out this article !

By Nicholas

Nicholas is a staff writer at Photodoto. His interests include photography, collecting cameras old and new, video editing, and all things 3d. If a new gadget comes out on the market, he's sure to be the first to try it. He enjoys experimenting with low light photography, very long exposures and high speed filming.

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Travel Photography - How to Blend Your Passion with Profession

Out of the different genres of photography, travel photography is the most appealing to many. A travel photographer gets a chance to experience places, people, and cultures while doing photography. And one tries to bring the viewer to the same experience through the photographs. It offers a fair share of the adrenaline rush, money, and accolades. However, choosing to combine a life of wanderlust with your profession has its own set of challenges. Like other career and business options, travel photography can offer you every bit of joy and learning experience that you want both from traveling the world and from the career of photography, provided that you can manage and scale things up, focus on brand building and market your work effectively.

Pro-tip: Remember that travel photography will require you to do the miles, most often on your own, and there will be serious expenses to be incurred and work to be done.

Before you respond to the call of adrenaline and decide to quit your nine to five to dedicate yourself to travel photography business, take cognizance of the pros and cons.

Travelling is a fantastic activity that rejuvenates the mind and soul to the hilt. Each destination comes with its unique charm and beauty, which you capture through the lenses (photography). You can cherish the travel memories for long and share the beauty of the places you travel to with the world.

Someone has aptly said that a picture paints a thousand words. No wonder travel photography is not only amazing but soul-stirring. And nowadays travel photography has also become an interesting and lucrative business. It is such a rewarding thing that you will grow creatively, and the joy that you will experience in your heart will be unparalleled.

What is Travel Photography? 

Travel photography is primarily about photographing places in all their glory. As a travel photographer, you will travel to lots of places and capture them through your camera. The places can be tourist attractions, natural landscapes, hotels and resorts, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. Most professional travel photography is in some way or the other linked with the tourism industry, generating imagery for magazines, brochures, advertising, merchandise, and online media.

Top reasons why you should become a travel photographer:

Develop your respect and love for this beautiful planet When you step out of the hustle-bustle and chaos of your fast-paced life in cities and see the natural beauty and abundance of this fascinating earth, you feel ardent love and need to save this planet. When you capture the enchanting beauty of the places, you feel grateful and happy. You understand the lessons which your parents and teachers taught you in school about being sensitive to our environment and the planet. Travel photography strengthens the bond with our planet and makes you value it more than ever.

Learn the virtues of flexibility and patience 

Travel photography helps you grow at a personal level. It changes you significantly. When you are sensitive to the planet, you become more flexible and develop patience. It is one of the best learnings from travel photography that Nature runs at its own sweet pace and yet accomplishes everything it aspires.

Similarly, you feel that you have become more patient with people, with circumstances. Success doesn’t always come fast; one needs to persevere and show some patience. Similarly, in photography, also you need lots of patience and perseverance. You have to wait for hours to capture that perfect and mind-boggling sunrise. And if you give it the time it deserves by being patient, then you will have some of the best shots in your portfolio. Flexibility is another great lesson you learn through travel photography. There have been times when you face undesirable circumstances such as flight cancellation, a flat tire, sudden change in weather conditions, etc., but you should never hold on to an itinerary and schedule and should show flexibility instead. You won’t regret it.

Make your life an adventure

You will never find any shortage of places to see and capture in your camera. Even your entire life is not enough to photograph our vast and beautiful planet. There are endless places you can shoot. Make a list of the places you will travel to and shoot. You will be spoilt for choice. There are endless options, and it is the most beautiful dilemma to choose which places to shortlist for travel photography. So don’t miss out on any opportunity and photograph as many places as you can and build a treasure of your photographs.

Feel and mingle with your environment

Let lose yourself in your environment, be natural, and absorb every bit of it. Even ask your co-travelers to do the same. Don’t get into posing and constantly smiling. Capture natural emotions as they will come out more beautifully in your pictures. For travelers, landscape photography is one preferred approach. Be it doing travel and street photography, animals, or inanimate objects, you will find a lot of choices in picking up a theme or subject for your next set of travel photography portfolio. It is important to note that external conditions such as the weather and lighting play an important role in getting that perfect shot. So, make sure to know the right time and right vantage point to click a memorable photograph and fulfill your wanderlust and engage in travel photography.

Revel in the opportunity to capture fascinating places and moments

Every time you travel, you come back with pictures of beautiful places and moments, some of which may leave you spell-bound, and some leave the effect of absolute tranquillity. You get to capture your dream destinations, the places which looked picture-perfect in a magazine/internet. You capture those moments which leave you in awe. One such place where you can click such pictures is Rajasthan. The picturesque beauty and history of Rajasthan make it a perfect destination for travel photography. Wherever you travel in Rajasthan, you will be inspired by the “Lands of Kings,” which is one of the best places in the entire world. Such is the charm of majestic Rajasthan.

Here are 4 top useful tips on how to get started in travel photography

Play around with angles and shots, capture emotions and moments, plan the travel photography shoot well, always be ready with your gears.

Wondering how to get into travel photography? First things first. You don’t have to be obsessive about your gear. You can start shooting with your smartphone, regular cameras, or DSLR. The best lens for travel photography is what you have. Since there are so many types of subjects, one type of lens would not be enough. Instead of focusing on the subjects which your lens is suitable for is the thing to do. What is essential is to start. Many photographers prove that it is not the equipment, but the creative vision that helps one to sift the best from the rest.

Similarly, there are no specific types of DSLR made for travel photography; even an entry-level DSLR can take some good photos. The best camera for travel photography is the one that can give you a wide scope of getting the best shots. Also, the best lenses for travel photography would depend on which type of shots you are looking to take. If you are looking for wide-angle shots, then a wide-angle zoom lens like a 16-35mm lens would help you take great shots. The more pictures you take, the more you will come to know about camera angles, subject/object interplay, lighting conditions, and post-processing. Thus, when you start, it’s best to start on a slow scale and then upgrade your travel photography gear as and when you feel you are ready to transcend the next level of photography expertise.

Take pictures from different angles, and maybe you can use wide-angle lenses to give more context to your images. Step out of your comfort zone and make silly poses and have a good time alone with good pictures. You will surely get some good shots which will be interesting. But first, you need to know some crucial terms like eye angle, Dutch, establishing shot, cut-in, cutaway, low angle, perspective, reverse shot, over the shoulder (for shots).

Similarly, in angles, you need to have some degree of proficiency in close up/ extreme, medium shot, worm’s eye view, bird’s eye view, longshot, or POV. The interplay of framing, angles, shots, and positions provide a different viewpoint, a different aspect of focus to the viewer, and convey varied emotions.

When you visit a lovely place with amazing landscapes, views, and the environment, apart from capturing these beautiful things to capture the feeling of being there. More than the aesthetics, it is about telling its own story to the viewers. This virtue can be enabled by allowing the subjects to be captured in their familiar environment or surroundings. The special bond of the familiar place can stir emotions and can be radiated into your shots.

Also, they need not be overwhelmed with elaborate directions. Just subtle guidance would be enough to keep the subjects at ease and bring out the natural pose without feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable. Another way to conjure emotion is to avoid having them standstill. Give them something to do, and see their involvement in the activity, bring out their genuine emotion.

It is always better to plan things before heading out for travel photography. Take ideas on how to capture emotions and the surroundings when you are on your travel photography trip. Spend some time to assess how you will be capturing the place in its full glory. Answer questions like,” How will I get there?” ‘Does the place have photographic potential,’ ‘Will the potential be affected by the time of the year or the time of the day?’, ‘How do I arrange for traveling around the different spots to get incredible shots?’.

An hour on Google can provide you both – the inspiration as well as the information to plan your travel photography trip well. While you plan on which places will be worth the shot, you also need to factor in unexpected issues like delay, seasonal changes, or poor lighting conditions.

For many photography enthusiasts, the sudden change in weather can be a blessing in disguise. It can present an unexpected enhancement to the subject (Think of a layer of snow covering the city landscapes, or sudden rainfall leading to lush greenery).

Wherever you travel, be prepared with your camera and the supporting gear . Be prepared to take advantage of an opportunity to click photographs. You never know you might click your masterpiece at a very humble place or in any other place where you had never thought you would.

To summarize, you can say that there is a vast difference between taking photos on your trip or traveling specifically to take photos. The proof of the difference will be in the quality of the images captured by your camera. These travel photography tips and techniques aptly showed why you need to explore travel photography as an option. These tips will factor in for elevating the overall photography experience to a new level of subtlety and sophistication.

Now that you know the benefits of travel photography, here are our top 9 travel photography tips for beginners on how to turn your travel photography passion into a business.

1. choose travel photography only if you love it deeply. it’s going to be tough..

Adventurous photography has many niche genres, like wildlife photography, industrial photography, landscape photography, etc. Learn about the types, the corresponding skill requirements, the temperament that is needed, the challenges involved, and of course, the monetization models involved. Make sure that you understand all the dynamics before making your final decision. Follow both your heart and mind. Once you have made up your mind on selecting travel photography as your specialty, you then need to focus and prioritize it and pursue it with all your passion. Half measures will not do.

2. Invest time, effort and money to learn the tricks of the trade

Falling in love with someone at first sight, is sensitivity at its highest. Planning to get married and start a family with that someone is sensibility at its highest. We are talking about marriage here. Marrying your passion and your expertise - technical, aesthetic, and commercial. Think like a pro. Start learning the tricks of the trade by interning for free as you take pictures with a second-hand camera or taking some travel photography courses. Interact with peers and seek travel photography tips by browsing good travel photography websites. Study books and magazines on travel photography. Learn from the masters. You can also attend travel photography workshops , seminars, and other training programs to learn from the best.

3. Clearly Describe your Travel Photography Service

Define your travel photography service in unambiguous terms. Enable your clients and prospects understand the quality of work that you deliver, prices that you charge, value-added services that you render, and the scale of projects that you work on. Define the mode of payment, and the terms and conditions for hourly rates, weekly commitments of time and project deadlines. Defining your service will help you to make money with photography while traveling.

4. Create your professional travel photography website

Even as you continue to learn and inculcate the skills of professional travel photography, you must not forget to market your work. Build a professional travel photography website to showcase your travel photography photos. Sort and curate your work and select the best travel photos of different genres that you have for your portfolio website. Regularly update your portfolio website and add new work from recent travels. Your website is your showcase window to the world and the first point of contact with potential clients and collaborators. Get inspired by these awe-inspiring photography portfolio websites created on Pixpa.

Here’s a great guide on how to create an online portfolio website.

Pixpa is an all-in-one platform to create a travel photography portfolio website easily without any coding knowledge. Take a free trial and start building your portfolio website now.

5. Use social media to generate exposure for your work

Travel photography gets a lot of attention and response to social media. People love to like and share beautiful, picturesque images of places they would love to visit. As a travel photographer, learn to leverage social media to your advantage. Choose one or at max two social media platforms and focus all your energies on sharing high-quality posts regularly. Interact with people who comment and share your work and build your fan following. Look through the metrics of likes, shares, and comments to understand the market trends , the quality of work, and areas for improvement.

Instagram has emerged as the preferred platform for photographers to share their work. Travel photography is especially popular on Instagram, with many hub pages promoting travel photography. Learn how to use photography hashtags on Instagram to get success as a travel photographer.

6. Start a Travel Photography Blog

Add a travel photography blog to your portfolio website. Starting telling visual stories, share travel photography tips, and behind-the-scenes insights of your travels. Create photo stories of the places you are visiting. Talk about the culture, experiences, and share your explorations through your blog posts. Your blog will gradually become a magnet for attracting admirers and potential clients alike.

Tip: You can add a blog to your portfolio website on Pixpa easily. Learn more.

7. Explore Ways to Earn Money through Travel Photography Passion

Here is the challenge. Capturing the best travel photos as you travel across the world is one thing and making money from them, quite another. Always be looking to sell your skills, brand your work, and get a better bargain. You may try publishing your work on some of the best travel photography platforms, online tourism platforms, and wildlife adventure photography and conservation platforms that offer a good amount of money. 

There are a lot of stock photography websites where you can sell your travel photography images. There are also many travel magazines that regularly post travel photography jobs. Build your relationships with travel magazines and understand their requirements. You can plan your travels wherein you are shooting images that a travel photography magazine or website would be interested in paying. 

Tip: Get an established photography agency to market and sell your travel photography work  

8. Network! Join a Travel Photography Group

How about socializing with buddy travel photographers at a cool theme restaurant on the weekend? You get to know each other, bond over shared interests in adventure photography, learn cutting-edge technical tricks, and, most importantly, get recommended to clients by senior professionals. Network, share positive vibes with your tribe, and get recognized within the community of travel photographers for your work.

There are also several online travel photography communities that you can join. Fellow travel photographers are more than happy to help each other out with insider tips on the places they have visited.

9. Build and Grow your Client Relationships

Travel photography is not just about the camera. It is about exploring people, places, cultures, geographies, and practically whatever the roads serve your way. Flag each place you visit with a bit of self-promotion. Associate with noble causes and look to attach yourself to social campaigns. For example, you can try your hand at wildlife photography to spread the word on endangered species and animals that are on the verge of extinction. Amidst all the frenzy of meeting people, new clients and new assignments will pop out of nowhere.

Keep the faith and have the resolve to overcome a few challenges that the trade might throw your way. If you love photography and the freedom of working while traveling places, travel photography is for you. Leap with preparation and trust that the net will appear.

So, what are you waiting for, when the lush vistas of unexplored terrains beckon your inner creative side? Don't think too hard about how to be a travel photographer. Simply pack your bag and camera, make note of the tips and tricks of the trade and embark on your travel photography journey today!

Create your travel photography website easily without any coding knowledge on Pixpa. Take a free trial and start building your portfolio website now.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I prepare to be a travel photographer? To prepare yourself to be a travel photographer, you need to first prepare yourself to be a good traveller. This includes being flexible and patient, planning well but being prepared for eventualities, and always being on the lookout for an opportunity to capture an interesting moment or place. Having a sense of adventure is important in travel photography.
• What makes for good travel photography? Good travel photography always tries to capture the emotion of the moment and the place in each photograph. Make sure to capture not just locations, buildings and monuments but also people, events and moments. Your travel photography should be able to visually narrate the story of your journeys and not just the destinations.
• How much money do travel photographers make? According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary of travel photographers in the United States was $44,193 for 2021.

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11 Travel Photography Courses to Help Unlock Your Potential

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links.  for full information, please see our disclaimer here..

Have you ever come back from a trip away, only to realise that all those amazing photos you took just don’t do justice to the places you went to?  Well if so, don’t worry that was my reality too, that was until I discovered the power of online travel photography courses.

We are all lucky enough to live in a time where learning a new skill is only a Google search or YouTube video away.  Thanks to the vast amount of online learning resources we really can learn just about anything, this is especially true when it comes to photography.  There are lots of places on the internet, such as YouTube, where you can learn photography for free.  Although these free resources can be great, they are not always full of the best or accurate information.  Fortunately for those that want to learn from an expert, there are plenty of really informative travel photography courses on sites like SkillShare , Udemy and CreativeLive .  If you’re interested in learning more, keep reading to find out about some amazing travel photography courses.

3. To Take Your Travels to The Next Level

The beginner’s guide to lightroom classic, how to edit travel & landscape photos, other resources, why you should take some travel photography courses, 1. to finally learn how to use your equipment properly.

Nowadays digital photography is so accessible that everyone and their dog has a digital camera with them while they travel.  Whether it’s a top of the range DSLR or just a simple mirrorless camera, the majority of travelers don’t know how to take their camera off auto mode.

Although auto mode will definitely allow you to capture okay looking photos, it certainly won’t allow you to capture great photos.  So why don’t you break the trend and take a travel photography course? – it will allow you to learn to use your camera properly so that you can take great travel photos.

2. To Improve Your Photography Skills and Knowledge

Continuing on from the last point, if you want to improve upon your photography skills, a travel photography course is the absolute best way to do that.  Like I said earlier there is a ton of free information and resources out there on the internet but it’s not always as authentic and accurate as it should be.  The best way I have found to improve your knowledge and skills is to learn from the experts and professionals that have been practising for years.  Thanks to all the courses I will outline later in this article, it is now easier than ever to learn from the masters and improve your own travel photography.

Although it might not seem like it, a travel photography course could actually improve your experience while travelling.  Many courses will teach you how to use your camera, but as well as this, some courses will teach you how to form relationships with locals, some will give you fantastic ideas for photos and some will show you how to view the world in a completely different way.  Personally I’ve found that my love of photography allows me to experience travel differently and take it to the next level, as I’m constantly looking and searching for amazing places to go see and photograph along the way.

Travel Photography Courses to Help Unlock Your Potential

To start off we are going to look at some travel photography courses that focus on the fundamentals of photography, so these are for all the complete beginners out there.  It’s very important that we learn to walk before we run, but if you’ve already mastered the basics feel free to jump ahead to the section on in-depth travel photography courses.

Fundamental Photography Courses

Photography essentials – understanding the basics.

Hours of Tuition:  1 Hour 30 Minutes

Price:                        $

Payment:                Subscription (offers free trial)

Platform:                Skillshare

This Photography Essentials course is taught by Sean Dalton who is a professional travel & lifestyle photographer with years of experience behind him.  In this course you will learn everything you need to know to take better photos with your camera, all in the space of 90 minutes.  This includes everything you need to know about your camera settings, how to nail the perfect composition, how to find great lighting and how to develop your own photographic style.  Sean finishes the course with a few tips on how to edit your photos using Adobe Lightroom.

Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography

Hours of Tuition:  22 Hours

Price:                        $$

Payment:                One-Off Payment

Platform:                Udemy

If you’re looking for a more complete travel photography course, then the Photography Masterclass on Udemy could be the one for you.  This course includes 22 hours of video lessons and a large amount of downloadable resources to help you along the way.  You will learn a huge amount; the course covers the basics of how to use your camera properly, all the way up to how you can actually make money with your photography.  The course also covers lots of different styles of photography including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street, night and long exposure which will all help to improve your travel photography skills.

The Photography Starter Kit for Beginners

Hours of Tuition:   3 Hours 50 Minutes

Price:                         $

Payment:                 One-Off Payment or Subscription for more classes

Platform:                 CreativeLive

The  Photography Starter Kit for Beginners  is a course brought to you by CreativeLive, it is taught by award-winning travel photographer  John Greengo .  With this class you will learn about your camera’s settings and how they can work together, how to utilize depth of field, understand different lenses and how they work, create stronger images by focusing on composition and many more very important aspects.  This course is mainly aimed at beginners but may also appeal to photographers looking for a bit of a refresher course.

Outdoor Photography: Shooting at Sunset, Sunrise, and Night

Hours of Tuition:  1 Hour 8 Minutes

Payment:                  Subscription (offers free trial)

Platform:                 Skillshare

If you’re looking for a travel photography course that focuses on sunset, sunrise and night photography then this course from Skillshare is a great option.  It is taught by Chris Burkard , an amazing photographer who shoots surf, outdoor, adventure and travel photographs.  Although this class is slightly more advanced than other classes we have talked about so far, it’s a great choice for anyone looking to learn about shooting at sunrise, sunset or during the night.  You will learn about the equipment he uses and all the techniques he uses to take great photos at sunset, sunrise and during the night.

Hours of Tuition:  5 Hours 45 Minutes

Payment:                Subscription

Platform:                  Phlearn

If you want to create some beautiful photos it’s important to know the fundamentals of photography, but it’s also just as important to understand some of the fundamentals of image editing.  So if you’re interested in learning some post-production techniques this next course is perfect for you, it is taught on a platform called Phlearn .  Phlearn specialise in creating fun and engaging Photoshop and Lightroom classes that are perfect for everyone.  In The Beginner’s Guide to Lightroom Classic you will learn everything you need to start organising, and more importantly editing, your photos using Adobe Lightroom.

In-Depth Travel Photography Courses

If you’re already familiar with the fundamentals of taking photos, then I’m sure you’ll be looking for some more in-depth travel photography courses to get your teeth into.  The following courses are all great for helping you to take your travel photography to the next level.

The Outdoor Photography Experience

Hours of Tuition:  11 Hours 1 Minute

Payment:                One-Off Payment or Subscription for more classes

Platform:                CreativeLive

The Outdoor Photography Experience is another course that is taught by photographer Chris Burkard , this time via CreativeLive.  In this class you’ll learn about his shooting style, the gear he uses and he even shares some tips on marketing and selling your work.  If you want to create beautiful outdoor photos that really stop people in their tracks, then this is a great option for you.  The Outdoor Photography Experience has over 11 hours of video lessons where you will learn from one of the best outdoor photographers there is.

Travel Photography: Take Beautiful Photos on Your Adventures

Hours of Tuition:  4 Hours 30 Minutes

Price:                        $$

Payment:                  One-Off Payment

Platform:                  Udemy

If you’re looking for a well rounded travel photography course that really helps you to improve your travel photos, then this is a great option.  Just like it says in the title, this course will help you to take beautiful travel photos on your next adventure.  This course includes tips to help improve your portraits, landscapes and street photography.  As well as this, you will learn about equipment, how to edit your travel photos and also get to learn through case studies as you join a travel photographer on his shoots.

Landscape Photography: Capturing Adventure

Hours of Tuition:  1 Hour 49 Minutes

If you love to take landscape photos while you travel and want to improve your skills and knowledge in that area, then this is a great class for you.  The class is taught by Ryan Resatka , a photographer who has taken his passion for adventure and created a business out of it.  This class will teach you how to plan your trip, how to photograph a variety of different locations including lakes and vast landscapes.  As well as this Ryan will teach you how to direct, style and incorporate people into your photos, which if done properly can transform your photos.  This is a great class which is full of information to help you improve your travel photos in just 2 hours.

Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography

Hours of Tuition:  4 Hours 10 Minutes

Price:                        $$$

Payment:                Subscription

Platform:                Mast e rclass

If you love to go on crazy adventures while you travel, then Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography might be the class for you.  Jimmy Chin is an amazing photographer who has achieved many awards for his adventure photography, there really is no better photographer to learn from when it comes to adventure.  His tuition on Masterclass is full of incredibly comprehensive information that will help you to capture truly breathtaking photos.  His class is a bit more expensive than some of the others I have touched upon but if you are committed to taking better adventure photography while you travel it’s worth every cent.

Travel Photography: The Complete Guide

Hours of Tuition:  10 Hours 23 Minutes

Price:                        $$

Payment:                  One-Off Payment or Subscription for more classes

Platform:                  CreativeLive

This travel photography course is another one that is full of class content to help take your travel photography to the next level.  Like a lot of the other courses in this list you will learn similar techniques, however this course has a strong focus on how to properly edit your photos.  So if you are looking for a course that combines capturing high quality photos whilst also delving deeply into how to post process them properly, then this is the course for you.

Hours of Tuition:  3 Hours

Payment:                  Subscription

The final class we will look at focuses on how to edit your travel and landscape photos .  The class is by Phlearn, I have found Phlearn to be the best way to learn how to use Photoshop and Lightroom to edit your photos.  Their tutorials always have the best content and they make the lessons fun to watch which really helps with the learning process.  In this course you will learn many techniques including creating a HDR image, creating a panorama from many individual images and how to replace a sky.  The subscription package that they offer gives you access to all their pro tutorials, so if you are interested in levelling up your image editing skills I’d really recommend you give Phlearn a go.

We have tons of other resources to help with all of your photography needs as well.  If you need any help choosing what gear to take with you for your upcoming trip check out our extensive photography equipment list.

Related Posts

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Landscape Photographer: The Ultimate How To Guide

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Hi! I'm Jonny, a 28 year-old photographer and, general earth enthusiast. Welcome to The Photographer's Passport a blog dedicated to sharing all things travel and photography related. Whether you love to photograph, travel, or adventure, find all the inspiration you need, right here!

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The Masterclasses 2023: 10 practical tips to help you succeed as a travel photographer

From packing the right kit to picking the right guide, the autumn series of The Masterclasses saw our panellists reveal their top tips for making it as a professional travel photographer.

In September 2023, The Masterclasses by   National Geographic Traveller (UK) returned with a brand-new series of expert-led online sessions for aspiring travel writers and travel photographers.  

Each hour-long session saw an expert panel of   National Geographic Traveller contributors focus on a different aspect of the modern travel photographer’s toolkit, with the likes of Teagen Cunnife, Matt Dutile and Holly-Marie Cato sharing practical advice on everything from picking the right gear to photographing animals in their natural habitats.  

These 10 pieces of advice can help you improve your travel photography, from building your portfolio to using your gear optimally and connecting with your subjects.

1. Plan ahead

“Do your research and get familiar with your own equipment before you travel…Get ahead of the game, pre-visualise and make a plan. When I go to a place that I’m not familiar with, I can start recycling and adapting those ideas to suit the environment.” — Renato Granieri, The art of wildlife photography in travel

2. Maximise your time on a shoot  

“There’s never ever enough time on a shoot. Mostly, though, we only have a day or two, or sometimes just a few hours, to capture animals for a story. Regardless of the weather conditions, I’ll head out and see what surprises me. Getting out and seeing what’s happening around you is the only way to guarantee you’re going to get images. Don’t talk yourself out of shooting just because the weather isn’t perfect.” — Teagen Cunnife, The art of wildlife photography in travel

3. Use local guides to your advantage

“Choose experienced safari guards — they know where the animals will be and can predict behaviour. When you’re choosing a safari operator, pay specific attention to what’s written about the guides on the websites and look for places that have mentioned that their guides are highly awarded or extensively trained. There’s a really big difference between a guide and a guide with photographic knowledge; communicating to a guide who understands composition and lighting is so much easier.” — Teagen Cunnife, The art of wildlife photography in travel

4. Use kit to connect with your subjects  

“I bring a little Fuji Instax camera with me. And that’s for when I’m going into more remote regions so that I can not only ask for a photo but give one back as well. For me, I’ve found that this opens doors to getting people to sit for portraits. Because, if you’re always just showing up and you’re this guy with this big camera coming up in front of them, there’s a little bit of shyness and reticence. But if you can sit with them and open up a little bit of a dialogue, even if you can’t exchange in the same language, that’s a really great way to get them involved.” — Matt Dutile, Picking the perfect kit for your assignment  

5. Stay safe as a lone traveller  

"I always dress to blend in. For example, what I’m wearing to photograph a high-end restaurant and what I’m wearing to go and photograph agave fields is going to be different. I want to blend in so that I feel comfortable and so that the people around me feel comfortable. There are certain places that you’re going to stand out, but just try to be aware of what’s going on around you.” — Lindsay Lauckner Gundlock, Picking the perfect kit for your assignment  

6. Stay inspired  

"I’ve been doing this for 15 years now, but every week I seem to discover a new photographer that I’ve never heard of. As long as someone’s out there creating amazing images, I’ll always be inspired by that. Another part is looking at art, or a place itself. We are storytellers, so I think you can be inspired by the story of a place, a people, an idea, all on its own.” — Matt Dutile, Picking the perfect kit for your assignment  

7.   Use social media to find contacts

"Go on social media. Often, when people get hired, they might thank the person who gave them the job. So, follow other photographers and look in their captions and actually read who’s hiring them, who did they work with, and then follow those commissioners.” — Holly-Marie Cato, How to go professional  

8. Present your work to photo editors  

“Something that I’ve always done is to create a PDF or something that sort of has a layout that looks like the [finished] article so that the photo editor can kind of get an idea of what your story is. When you do that, you might realise that you don’t have the right photos for a story — and that really teaches you what storytelling is.” — Nori Jemil, How to go professional  

9. Know your destination

I think if you’re especially interested in [photographing] some region of world, it really helps to be there. Spend time there and get to know the local traditions, the language or local culture. That can definitely help when presenting a story.” — Ulf Svane, How to go professional  

10. Shoot with passion

"I’m really strong on finding your niche and making sure you’re passionate about it. I could say “build a portfolio”, but often, and I think especially with Instagram, you could build a portfolio of work that you don’t even like. If you want your work to last, if you want to be able to sell that work and really make people believe in it, then be passionate about what you photograph.” — H olly-Marie Cato, How to go professional

Related Topics

• PHOTOGRAPHY
• ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY
• PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES
• PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
• NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

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• Travel and Tourism /

Career in Travel Photography

• Updated on  
• Feb 9, 2023

Travel photography has emerged as an excellent career option for those who have an inclination towards both travel and photography . This career provides an interesting opportunity for people to put their photography skills and interests to use. Even though a camera is all you need to become a travel photographer, there are a few additional requirements that can help you excel in this domain. Read through the blog to know more about a career in travel photography.

This Blog Includes:

What is travel photography, skills required, eligibility, how to become a travel photographer, courses in travel photography, top universities abroad, top colleges in india, online courses.

Do you know 74% of the travellers use social media while travelling and 97% of Millenials are known to be involved in sharing travel images!

Travel Photography is a branch of photography that deals with the travel and tourism industry. A travel photographer is a professional responsible for the photographic documentation of a region’s landscape, people, cultures, customs and history. One may call a travel photo an image that expresses the feeling of a time and place which in the truest sense, portrays a land, its people, or a culture.

For those who wish to become a travel photographer, they must possess the following skills:

• Strong visual skills
• Creative skills
• Eye for detail
• Strong socialising skills
• Advanced Photoshop skills
• Ability to be on themselves
• Willingness to travel
• Good imaginative skills

Although there are no specific eligibility criteria for becoming a travel photographer, aspiring candidates must know what the generic criteria is. To pursue a career in travel photography,  an individual must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Candidates must have completed XIIth from a recognized board.
• Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in related fields.
• Candidates with prior experience in work related to the tourism photography industry are preferred. 
• Candidates must possess the required skillset.

To become a travel photographer, an aspiring candidate should follow the given steps.

• Candidates should begin with learning the basics of photography by signing up for courses available in photography.
• Once they have acquired the skills they should then move on to creating their own unique style of photography. One must find their niche and master it.
• They can then build a strong portfolio for themselves after they have specialised in their own niche.
• They should be actively involved in promoting their work on social media to generate exposure.
• Finally using their portfolio and social media they must try pitching in clients. 

Find Out the Best Places to Learn Photography on this World Photography Day 2021!

It is important that students understand certain technical terms, lenses used, subjects, etc. to make a successful career in travel photography. The following are the courses for travel photography.  

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Travel Photography
• Diploma in Travel Photography
• Diploma in Travel and Nature Photography
• Certificate Course in Advanced Travel Photography
• Certificate Course in Nature and Wildlife Photography

Check out the many Photography Courses and Photography Courses in India

For becoming a travel photographer, students can apply for the following colleges abroad.

• Central Michigan University
• Ball State University
• Academy of Art University
• University of the Arts, London
• RMIT University

Also Read: Fashion Photography

Listed below are the top colleges where students can apply to pursue a career in travel photography in India.

• Delhi College of Photography
• Light and Life Academy
• Asian Academy of Film and Television
• Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts
• National Institute of Photography
• Pixel Institute of Photography

Given the pandemic situation, a large section of the student population started looking for ways to pursue courses in a safe manner. For those interested in pursuing travel photography they can pursue the online courses mentioned below.

• Nikon Certificate Courses

Travel Photography now has a wide scope due to the expansion of the travel and tourism industry. Students who pursue this field, have a list of job roles they can apply for based on their particular area of interest. Some of the popular jobs after pursuing travel photography are.

• Photojournalist
• Travel Blogger
• Freelance Travel Photographer

The salary of travel photographers varies depending upon years of experience and field of expertise. However, in the initial stages, the salary is slightly less and with time, the salary is expected to rise. The annual average salary of a Travel Photographer in India ranges between ₹ 2.5 Lakhs to ₹ 6 Lakhs. 

So, this was all about a career in travel photography. Hope this blog has helped you with the necessary details for making a successful career in this field. If you require assistance in choosing the right university, our  study abroad experts can guide you through the process. Sign up for a free session right away!

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Travel Adventures – Part 4: Moscow

July 7, 2016 Travel

This beautiful woman lingered for a moment on the steps at one of the several churches in the Sergeiv Posad Monastery. I thought she was absolutely beautiful.

So far in this journey we have visited some wonderful cities … Helsinki, Finland, Tallinn, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia. We have traveled together along the waterways of Russia to such exotic sounding places as Mandrogy, Kitzy Island, Goritzy, Uglich, and Yaroslavl and seen the beauty of the countryside in between these towns. But our ship finally came to dock in Moscow, the capital of Russia and I really had no idea what to expect!

One advantage of travel tour is that you get a good general overview of an area. That’s the good news, of course. The bad news on most tours — and this tour certainly was no exception –was that you never did have a lot of time to explore on your own. The guides and the schedule kept you pretty busy all of the time. It was great for getting information and seeing a lot, but difficult for photographers who like to explore in more depth.

When we got to Moscow, we hopped on buses and were off to tour the city. Moscow is a huge city with so much traffic that I vowed never to complain about the traffic on Los Angeles freeways ever again. I couldn’t believe how tough you had to be to drive in this city. It played havoc with all schedules and timetables because what should have taken just 20 minutes to drive ended up taking an hour. One of the reasons is how they handle their traffic accidents. From what we understood and saw, cars involved in accidents were not allowed to move until both the police and the insurance adjuster came. So, a simple traffic accident could snarl things for hours. There is definitely a different viewpoint here than back home.

The traffic on every street no matter the hour seemed to be hectic.

The city of Moscow is upbeat with many shops, theaters, and restaurants and such. We saw shops with all of the latest and most expensive designers. All of the big brand names in clothing had shops. During this introductory tour, we were dropped off on a rather large street and told to walk through an arch into a huge open area. A large red brick/stone wall ran down one side and the most magnificent Russian Church we had seen so far was at the far end. The area was enormous and, of course, it was the famous Red Square. Behind the brick/stone wall was the Kremlin. I had to pause to take it all in, because never in my life would I have ever imagined myself standing there! The look on my sister and friend’s faces, told the same story that I was feeling … ABSOLUTE AWE!

We had some time to wander and walk by Lenin’s tomb before we had to return to the bus to continue the general tour of the city. 

From an overlook within the St. Basil Cathedral, you can get a fabulous overview of Red Square. The Kremlin wall is on the left side of the image; at the end of that wall is the Spasskaya Tower. The red building with two towers is the National Historical Museum, barely seen and tucked into the corner to the right of the Museum is Kazan Cathedral and along the right side is the turn of the century arcades of Gum’s department store.

Copyright © Stan Westfall

Along the wall that separates the Kremlin from Red Square is Lenin’s tomb. His body has been on public display there since the year he died in 1924.

A night tour took us past some of the brightly lit gambling casinos in Moscow. The bouncing bus, combined with the bright neon lighting, brought a few interesting photo opportunities. We attended a wonderful concert that featured many of the traditional musical instruments of Russia — another photo opportunity not normally available in a theater, but because the audience was from the various tours and ships that were in Moscow that particular evening, we could take photos — but of course, not with flash, which is always a disturbance to the performers. As we left the concert, the moon was just rising over one of the beautiful cathedral spires. My friend Anne caught the shot (3rd below/right). She is quick and steady and got a round of applause when she “nailed it!”

Driving through Moscow’s downtown area at night was fascinating. It was bright with colored lights. Many casinos and restaurants were lit up and looked very busy. It was a supercharged city that came alive at night.

Copyright © Anne Westfall

St. Basil’s in Red Square was beautiful during the day but at night it was a fairy tale. This is one of Russia’s most beautiful cathedrals.

Fabulously lit fountains switched colors to make an exciting night shot.

Square at night is spectacular with the Gums building in sparkling lights.

Leaving the theater one night we were just in time to see the moonrise near one of Moscow’s cathedrals. 

The next day we toured the park adjacent to the grounds of the beautiful Novodevichy Conventwhere many exiled or self-exiled royal wives, daughters and lovers “took the veil” (which means they chose to become a nun), to get out of their marriage, family or mistress arrangement, since divorce was not allowed. It is in this park where you will find the lovely bronze ducks, given as a gift by President George Walker Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush. We visited the Kremlin and I was surprised to find out that there were 5 or 6 churches within its walls. In the Armory, the stunningly beautiful royal clothes, jewels and carriages were housed. It was amazing to see that even the carriages were embedded with jewels.

The Novodevichy Convent where many exiled or self-exiled royal family members “took the Veil”. The park like setting was one of the most beautiful we had seen.

We had the opportunity to go into their frightfully expensive, but stunningly wonderful GUM (pronounced we discovered like “goom” not “gum” as in chewing gum). Just wandering up and down this multilevel shopping extravaganza was a treat.

Gums is a large collection of shops on one side of Red Square. The three level, indoor mall features eating establishments, large walkways and bridges from one side to another. It is frequently used as a setting for newly wed brides.

The next morning, my friend Stan Westfall and I decided to take the tour to the Sergiev Posad Monastery. My sister, Sunny, and our friend Anne Westfall opted to visit the Pushkin Museum in the morning and the Tretyakov Gallery in the afternoon. Since we were going to have separate adventures to share that evening, I reminded them to take lots and lots of photographs so we could enjoy their day as well.

In the center of the Sergeiv Posad Monastery there is a beautiful Holy Water fountain where people come to drink, to bless and to carry home a small jar of Holy Water. 

CONTINUE WITH THE STORY AND SEE MORE PHOTOS…………

Be sure to join us next month as we visit Moscow.

Read Travel Adventures – Part 1: Finland and Estonia

Read Travel Adventures – Part 2: St. Petersburg, Russia

Read Travel Adventures – Part 3: Cruising the Russian Waterways

by Noella Ballenger

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Travel Photography course will head to New York City this summer 

• 01 April 2024

A new course introduced last year by the Graphic Communications program at Pittsburg State University was so popular, it’s being offered again this year. The course, GC 590 Special Topics: Travel Photography, took students to Washington D.C. last July. This year, students will travel to New York City in June.  

Professor Chauncey Rion Huffman, who created it, said it provides students with an opportunity to learn about street/documentary photography, architectural photography, portraiture, lifestyle photography, and photographic storytelling.   

“The aim of the course is to help students create professional quality images while traveling,” he said, “but they also learn travel etiquette including how to navigate a major metropolitan area effectively.”  

The course is open to all without prerequisites, regardless of major or level of photography experience. Huffman will provide hands-on guidance in each area of photography.   

“New York City offers a unique blend of plentiful street photography, striking architecture, and cultural learning opportunities that are not found in many cities,” Huffman said. “Exploring this city with the knowledge of how to effectively capture images that tell a story about the experience will be at the heart of the course.”   

To prepare for the trip, two warm up sessions will be held: one in Pittsburg on June 5 and one in Kansas City on June 19. These sessions will help students get comfortable with their equipment and provide an opportunity to practice their photography skills before the trip.  

Cost: $500-$650 per person depending on attendance and fluctuating travel pricing.  

Enrollment  

Enrollment will begin April 7. For the enrollment schedule and other details visit pittstate.edu/registrar/enrollment-information.html 

Questions? Contact Huffman at 620-235-4848.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Tutorial: How to Make a Spooky Metamorphosis Portrait for Halloween

Published by Felicia Simion • 8 years ago

Felicia Simion is a 21-year-old photographer and retoucher from Romania. She began taking photos at the age of 13, when she received a Canon 400D as a birthday gift from her family. Since then, she has experimented with various fields, such as portraiture, street, macro, photo-manipulation.

Felicia has been awarded in photography competitions such as: Travel Photographer of the Year, Sony World Photography Awards, Paris PX3, IPA Awards, Moscow International Foto Awards.

To see more of her work, follow her on 500px , visit her website , or show her some love on Facebook and Instagram .

For this fun Halloween-themed tutorial, we asked talented 500pxer Felicia Simion to explain how she created her creepy “Morphosis” photograph, a tribute to the iconic self-portrait by Wanda Wulz .

The photo was created by merging the two photos below… we’ll let Felicia take it from here!

First, I cropped the image of the little girl, and turned it into black and white (Reds: -18, Yellows: 114, Greens: 40, Cyans: 60, Blues: 20, Magentas: 80), then I adjusted the Brightness and Contrast (Brightness: +30, Contrast: +75).

The next step was to add a Color Fill Layer (Layer->New Fill Layer->Solid Color), choosing a brown tone (on the Exclusion mode) to create a sepia effect.

What I wanted now was to get rid of the background and other elements that may distract us from the portrait. I did this by using the Brush Tool on the Background layer, coloring in black (Opacity 85%) what I wanted to erase from the picture.

This was the result:

I gave the image a landscape orientation by adding a Black Canvas (it is up to you to choose the width, depending on the photo dimensions).

Then I blended the two photos. For this, I selected the cat’s face with the Rectangular Marquee Tool and then Pasted it as a new layer on the little girl’s portrait.

Afterwards, I used the Free Transform tool (right click on the image, then choose Free Transform) to adjust the dimensions of the new layer and I also inclined it until it blended right onto the portrait.

I made the adjustments on the Screen mode (right click on the cat layer, then Blending Options where we choose the Screen Blend Mode on full opacity). Then I got rid of the extra background from the cat photo, using a black Brush tool on Normal mode, with opacity 100%, painting around the areas I wanted to remove.

The next step was to crop the whole photo, to give better impact to both the expressions.

I emphasized the little girl’s eyes using the Dodge tool on Highlight Mode, Opacity 50%, adding a spooky touch.

Next I painted on the background layer with a black brush to remove other distractive elements—this is what I did with the girl’s blouse and ribbon.

The next step was to crop the image a little further, for a deeper effect into the atmosphere.

To make the image look more vintage, I added a film texture on the Hard Light mode, around 40% opacity.

The result:

For the last steps, I played with the Brightness and Contrast. I wanted a darker mood, so I lowered the brightness by 30. Then, to emphasize the skin, I used the Dodge tool on the Highlight mode again, as before.

I chose an orange sepia tone by adding a solid Gradient Map Layer (Layer->New Adjustment Layer- >Gradient Map) in duo tone—black and neutral. The blending mode here was Multiply, and the opacity was somewhere around 60%.

Here is the final image again, a tribute to the photographer Wanda Wulz:

Why You Should Learn to Dodge and Burn from a Makeup Artist

The top 10 cityscapes on 500px, leave a reply, previous post.

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ISIS Affiliate Linked to Moscow Attack Has Global Ambitions

The Islamic State in Khorasan is active in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and has set its sights on Europe and beyond.

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By Eric Schmitt

Reporting from Washington

Five years ago this month, an American-backed Kurdish and Arab militia ousted Islamic State fighters from a village in eastern Syria, the group’s last sliver of territory.

Since then, the organization that once staked out a self-proclaimed caliphate across Iraq and Syria has metastasized into a more traditional terrorist group — a clandestine network of cells from West Africa to Southeast Asia engaged in guerrilla attacks, bombings and targeted assassinations.

None of the group’s affiliates have been as relentless as the Islamic State in Khorasan, which is active in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and has set its sights on attacking Europe and beyond. U.S. officials say the group carried out the attack near Moscow on Friday, killing scores of people and wounding many others.

In January, Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, carried out twin bombings in Iran that killed scores and wounded hundreds of others at a memorial service for Iran’s former top general, Qassim Suleimani, who was targeted in a U.S. drone strike four years earlier.

“The threat from ISIS,” Avril D. Haines, the director of national intelligence, told a Senate panel this month, “remains a significant counterterrorism concern.” Most attacks “globally taken on by ISIS have actually occurred by parts of ISIS that are outside of Afghanistan,” she said.

Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the head of the military’s Central Command, told a House committee on Thursday that ISIS-K “retains the capability and the will to attack U.S. and Western interests abroad in as little as six months with little to no warning.”

American counterterrorism specialists on Sunday dismissed the Kremlin’s suggestion that Ukraine was behind Friday’s attack near Moscow. “The modus operandi was classic ISIS,” said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism scholar at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The assault was the third concert venue in the Northern Hemisphere that ISIS has struck in the past decade, Mr. Hoffman said, following an attack on the Bataclan theater in Paris in November 2015 (as part of a broader operation that struck other targets in the city) and a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena, England, in May 2017.

Islamic State Khorasan, founded in 2015 by disaffected members of the Pakistani Taliban, burst onto the international jihadist scene after the Taliban toppled the Afghan government in 2021. During the U.S. military withdrawal from the country, ISIS-K carried out a suicide bombing at the international airport in Kabul in August 2021 that killed 13 U.S. service members and as many as 170 civilians.

Since then, the Taliban have been fighting ISIS-K in Afghanistan. So far, the Taliban’s security services have prevented the group from seizing territory or recruiting large numbers of former Taliban fighters, according to U.S. counterterrorism officials.

But the upward arc and scope of ISIS-K’s attacks have increased in recent years, with cross-border strikes into Pakistan and a growing number of plots in Europe. Most of those European plots were thwarted, prompting Western intelligence assessments that the group might have reached the lethal limits of its capabilities.

Last July, Germany and the Netherlands coordinated arrests targeting seven Tajik, Turkmen and Kyrgyz individuals linked to a ISIS-K network who were suspected of plotting attacks in Germany.

Three men were arrested in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia over alleged plans to attack the Cologne Cathedral on New Year’s Eve 2023. The raids were linked to three other arrests in Austria and one in Germany on Dec. 24. The four people were reportedly acting in support of ISIS-K.

American and other Western counterterrorism officials say these plots were organized by low-level operatives who were detected and thwarted relatively quickly.

“Thus far, ISIS-Khorasan has relied primarily on inexperienced operatives in Europe to try to advance attacks in its name,” Christine S. Abizaid, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center, told a House committee in November.

But there are worrisome signs that ISIS-K is learning from its mistakes. In January, masked assailants attacked a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, killing one person. Shortly afterward, the Islamic State, through its official Amaq News Agency , claimed responsibility. Turkish law enforcement forces detained 47 people, most of them Central Asian nationals.

Since then, Turkish security forces have launched mass counteroperations against ISIS suspects in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Several European investigations shed light on the global and interconnected nature of ISIS finances, according to a United Nations report in January, which identified Turkey as a logistical hub for ISIS-K operations in Europe.

The Moscow and Iran attacks demonstrated more sophistication, counterterrorism officials said, suggesting a greater level of planning and an ability to tap into local extremist networks.

“ISIS-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years,” frequently criticizing President Vladimir V. Putin in its propaganda, said Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a security consulting firm based in New York. “ISIS-K accuses the Kremlin of having Muslim blood in its hands, referencing Moscow’s interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria.”

A significant portion of ISIS-K’s members are of Central Asian origin, and there is a large contingent of Central Asians living and working in Russia. Some of these individuals may have become radicalized and been in position to serve in a logistical function, stockpiling weapons, Mr. Clarke said.

Daniel Byman, a counterterrorism specialist at Georgetown University, said that “ISIS-K has gathered fighters from Central Asia and the Caucasus under its wing, and they may be responsible for the Moscow attack, either directly or via their own networks.”

Russian and Iranian authorities apparently did not take seriously enough public and more detailed private American warnings of imminent ISIS-K attack plotting, or were distracted by other security challenges.

“In early March, the U.S. government shared information with Russia about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow,” Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said on Saturday. “We also issued a public advisory to Americans in Russia on March 7. ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever.”

Russian authorities on Saturday announced the arrest of several suspects in Friday’s attack. But senior American officials said on Sunday that they were still digging into the background of the assailants and trying to determine whether they were deployed from South or Central Asia for this specific attack or if they were already in the country as part of the network of supporters that ISIS-K then engaged and encouraged.

Counterterrorism specialists voiced concern on Sunday that the attacks in Moscow and Iran might embolden ISIS-K to redouble its efforts to strike in Europe, particularly in France, Belgium, Britain and other countries that have been hit on and off for the past decade.

The U.N. report, using a different name for Islamic State Khorasan, said “some individuals of North Caucasus and Central Asian origin traveling from Afghanistan or Ukraine toward Europe represent an opportunity for ISIL-K, which seeks to project violent attacks in the West.” The report concluded that there was evidence of “current and unfinished operational plots on European soil conducted by ISIL-K.”

A senior Western intelligence official identified three main drivers that could inspire ISIS-K operatives to attack: the existence of dormant cells in Europe, images of the war in Gaza and support from Russian-speaking people living in Europe.

One major event this summer has many counterterrorism officials on edge.

“I worry about the Paris Olympics,” said Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former top U.N. counterterrorism official who is now a senior adviser to the Counter Extremism Project. “They would be a premium terrorist target.”

Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times, focusing on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism issues overseas, topics he has reported on for more than three decades. More about Eric Schmitt