How to Take Better Travel Photos

I am no photographer but I am the photographer when we go on vacation. I love to take photos and document the amazing times we have at our destination. So over the years, I’ve learned a few things about how to take better travel photos. Here are five tips to help you step up your travel photography game and improve your confidence behind the camera.

Get the Right Gear

I shoot with an Olympus Pen-F (which they no longer make) and have a M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Lens and a M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Lens. I mostly use the 12-40mm because it’s easy to grab those close-up shots and the wide landscapes. But I also will whip out my iPhone XS Max to grab video or some more creative images. I believe that you need to do your own research so that you end up getting what you feel comfortable with based on your needs and skill level (or what you’re willing to learn). I love resources like CNET and YouTube when I’m considering a new piece of equipment.

Once You Got the Gear, Learn How to Use It

I have a friend that is a professional photographer who has been very honest with her clients and her course students with the fact that she is completely self-taught. When she was gifted her first good camera she threw herself into researching and experimenting with it. And eight years later she is turning clients away she is so good. She also took these photos for me! So you can invest in a course or you can go back to YouTube which has plenty of free videos on how to shoot using pretty much any camera on the market.

Tell a Story

Now that you have the gear and you know how to use it, it’s important to understand that travel photography is more than just taking photos of pretty buildings and landmarks. While you should definitely grab shots of what interests you, and yes, that means even your family, you should be trying to tell a story. Take photos of both people and places, get in close and then zoom out. It only takes a little more time to take those extra shots and you’ll appreciate having more options when you go to edit them. 

Plan Your Day Around the Light

You’ve heard of the Golden Hour, which happens half an hour before and 15 to 45 minutes after sunrise and sunset. This is the best time of the day to get those soft, gorgeous photos that have that “wow” factor. If you can, try to plan your day so that you visit the major landmarks (think Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, The Vatican, etc.) surrounding those Golden Hour timeframes.

Get Up Early

On top of the sunrise Golden Hour, getting up early gives you a chance to shoot with as few people around as possible. I remember once waking up at 5 am to get dressed in my favorite LBD to shoot outside of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue. If you don’t know why, you need to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

When in Doubt, Just Keep Shooting

If you’re in the middle of a lot of action, put your camera in burst mode or up the shutter speed and just keep shooting. You’re bound to capture something good!

What is your favorite tip for how to take better travel photos?