How to Take Better Travel Photos

In the world of social media we are constantly innundated with travel photos - from our friends trip to Florida to professional accounts with epic destination photos. So how do you step up your photography to get amazing shots to remember your next trip?

Below you can find a few tips for capturing your memories as well as a few mistakes to avoid!

I have been working on taking better photo for a few years and you can see some of our photos of our travels over on Instagram.

5 Things NOT to do when Taking Travel Photos

These are all based on my own opinions - so take these suggestions with a grain of salt.

1. Avoid taking landscapes of far away mountains - these never come out well. The perspective is off and the mountains look so distant.

1. Don’t only take posed photos of your family. Sure - capture a few of you all lined up saying cheese, but make most of your photos more natural.

3. Taking photos from cars rarely works out well. Stop along the road - get out and take the photo.

4. Don’t use a flash unless you have too and in general avoid situations with low light.

5. Try to take photos without other people in them. This is sometimes unavoidable, but these shot rarely come out well.

5 Things to Do For Better Travel Photos

So how DO you take better travel photos - here are 5 tips get get started whether you have a fancy camera or just your iphone.

1. Use the Rule of Thirds: Apply the rule of thirds by dividing your frame into a 3x3 grid and placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections. This creates a more balanced and engaging composition. Look at the whole composition carefully and avoid cutting off peoples bdy parts in weird places. Notice in the photo below - Freja is right at the intersection of the third and the horizon is along the top third of the photo.

2. Experiment with Perspectives and Angles: Move around your subject and try different angles. Get low, shoot from above, or find a unique vantage point to make your photos stand out.

   

   3. Pay Attention to Light: Make use of natural light by shooting during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon) when the light is soft and warm. Avoid harsh midday sun, which can create strong shadows and highlights.

   

   4.Include People: Adding people to your shots can provide a sense of scale, context, and emotion. Capture candid moments of locals or fellow travelers to bring your photos to life. I prefer taking photos of people in action. Even when taking a posed shot, encourge people to act naturally, move, look at each other and laugh.

   

   5. Use Leading Lines: Incorporate leading lines, such as roads, rivers, fences, or pathways, to draw the viewer’s eye into the photo and create a sense of depth and perspective

   

   Read to challenge yourself to take better photos?

   Join the 7 Day Photo Challenge or learn Editing on Your Phone Like a Pro

   Have fun out there,

   Gretchen