Many people when they travel love to collect souvenirs that will remind them of the perfect holiday or vacation. But the best way to capture and hold on to these beautiful adventures and sceneries is to capture them with the camera on their smartphone or professional camera.

Today, several influencers are into travel photography and make a living out of it. Being a professional travel photographer has many benefits as it allows you to visit different destinations and understand the various cultures and histories of the place and people.

Taking great travel photos requires skill, patience, timing, and a whole lot of practice. Every photographer has a different style that reflects their personality and charisma in each of their photographs.

While clicking a shot is one step, it is also important to learn how to edit your photos. So if you are a beginner and want to step into the limelight, consider using a variety of editing software on Shotkit to enhance your pictures.

Without further ado, let us explore some basic travel photography tips every beginner should know:

Plan Your Shots

As a beginner, you must learn to prepare yourself before you take off on your photographic journey. For instance, before you arrive at your destination, consider researching the location on different social platforms so that you are aware of the places you would like to visit. Once you are aware of them you can take time to prepare yourself and your camera in time for the shot.

Wake Up Early

If you ask any photographer about why you must wake up early, the most common reply you would receive is that you need to make the most of the light. It is one of the most crucial elements that can boost your photograph while traveling and enhance your photos. The morning light is known to help capture some of the most amazing images in the world. Mainly because it is soft, warm, and comforting but also allows you to benefit from fewer tourists around.

Inform the Locals

As simple as it sounds, it is one of the crucial steps of travel photography. Whenever you are traveling and capturing some beautiful photos around the world, language can be a barrier. It is always better to ask permission from the locals before they get offended or disapprove because you are entering their personal space. Asking for permission is a way to be polite and respectful and if they say no, you can just move on to the next destination.

Know Your Camera

Whether a professional or beginner, it is important that you understand the different functions of the camera. Once you get to know your camera inside out, you will be able to switch to the right setting when taking your shot. So make sure that you spend time with your camera and take several practice shots so that you don’t miss out on your desired shot. If you are into phone photography, consider using these smartphones that are suitable to your needs.

Travel Light

One of the best things about travel photography is to travel light. While we know it is important to be prepared for all sorts of situations, it is always advised to carry only the essentials. While it does make sense to carry everything, it can take a load on your back and cause several problems. Also, while you keep removing one piece of equipment after another, the chances of you leaving behind are high. Traveling light will ensure that you are comfortable visiting places and enjoying your photography sessions.

Don’t Ever Forget Your Tripod

Tripods are one of the most important pieces of equipment that can help capture the perfect photograph, according to MakeUseOf.com. Yes, they may add weight to your travel bag but it is worth it. You can use a tripod to capture some amazing landscape shots, moving shots, long exposure shots, or some cool time-lapses. Whether traveling locally or to a foreign, along with your camera and lenses, a tripod is a must-have equipment.

Fill the Frame

Frame, frame, and frame! Every travel photographer was aware of filling the frame. While focusing on the subject is important, each corner section of your photograph plays a vital role. Photographers around the world are constantly looking for ways to improve their photographs and create their style. Each of them uses the frame to produce a unique picture. Some photographers prefer movement or chaos behind the subject and some prefer plain backgrounds. So decide which kind of photographer you are and use the frame to compose a beautiful travel photo.

Protect Yourself

While you are enjoying and exploring different locations it is important to protect yourself and the equipment you carry. The equipment you carry is often very expensive and investing in good travel luggage locks or anti-theft bags can work great in your favor. You should also consider applying for travel insurance that will protect you during your journey in a foreign land. While at it, take a look at the warranty and policies of your gear as well so that you have taken all precautionary steps for your travel photography journey.
Remember…

It is important to cover yourself legally when working in the photography niche, so we would recommend offering photography contracts to clients and people you work with.

After spending more hours on planes than some flight attendants, being exposed to more viruses than many nurses, and losing my sense of direction one too many times, I have almost perfected the craft of traveling. I blend in while visiting foreign cities, decipher street signs written in languages I don’t understand, and zoom through airports, rolling my eyes as if flying was an inconvenience rather than a privilege. So to learn from my mistakes, and also feel comfortable and safe in any corner of the world, here are five tips I swear by when going abroad.

1. Beauty Products are a Must.

The first tip I have for any traveler, and probably the most pertinent, is to always bring beauty supplies. When boarding a dreaded 12 hour flight, I make sure to have a change of clothes, especially underwear, to change into halfway through my journey. Also don’t forget face wipes, a toothbrush, and any other basic products which will make you feel slightly less radioactive and gross. Planes are so dirty: I’m sweaty, spill food and crumbs on my lap, and don’t like touching any surface without wiping it down. So, nothing is better than changing my T-shirt, washing my face, and casually spraying myself with perfume samples at the duty free shop.

2. Research, Research, Research.

Thanks to my mom, who planned family vacations down to the minute when I was growing up, I have learned the importance of researching before going on holiday. Not only do you need to plan activities, restaurants, and hotels, but I also highly recommend researching transportation. Whether it’s finding the cheapest taxi company, utilizing public transportation, or mapping walking routes, I always make sure I know where I’m going when on vacation so I can see the best sites, avoid being scammed, and explore the more local parts of cities.

3. Karen’s Get Their Way.

I have had my fair share of travel disasters, ranging from missed flights, stubborn ticket sales people, and language barriers, but through my stress, I have discovered sometimes pitching a fit goes a long way. When I was traveling alone from Germany to the US and missed my connecting flight to Chicago because of snow in Berlin, I cried to the airline agent until I was put on the next connecting flight and driven to a hotel for the night, free of charge. When I had an eight hour layover in London because of another missed flight, I complained to the flight desk and was given a meal voucher. Especially when the circumstances are out of your control, it is important to know your rights as a traveler and ask for what you want. The worst they can do is say no, and then you can write a steaming review if you’re still irritated.

4. The Secret to Public Bathrooms.

Another travel tip for people with small bladders like me, is to never pay to use a public restroom. Too often I’m exploring an ancient city on the verge of exploding and the nearest bathroom is a nasty outhouse reeking of pee which charges $1 for use; the mountain girl in me would rather squat in the bushes than pay for a UTI. So, keep your eyes peeled for museums, Starbucks, fast food restaurants, and busy restaurants with cleaner and cheaper toilets. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve walked into a McDonalds like I own the place while my family pretended to look at the menu, I could afford a personal port-a-potty.

5. Blending In.

Finally it is helpful to not stand out too much as a tourist. As a foreigner you might be overcharged, stereotyped, and miss out on the local experience just because of your accent. Stereotypically, tourists are affluent members of society, so if you sway away from the social and cultural standards while overseas, locals might take advantage of you. This doesn’t mean everyone you meet in foriegn countries is out to manipulate and deceive, but it doesn’t hurt to keep your voice low, wear conservative clothing in more religious areas, and not flash your Gucci purse in a local market.

Travel bloggers and instagrammers make traveling seem so easy, but many times fail to post the frustrating side of vacations: sweat and body odor, long commutes, upset stomachs, jetlag, and more. Hopefully these five tips will help your next trip be as stress-free as possible. Bon voyage!

Traveling somewhere with popular tourist attractions? Here’s how to make sure that your photos aren’t the same as everyone else’s.

When you travel to a new place for the first time, you’ll probably want to tick off all the touristy things. Iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower, Iceland’s waterfalls, and the Canals of Amsterdam deserve their elevated status, and they’re very much worth visiting.

That popularity, however, comes at a price. Many tourists find these spots overcrowded when they get there, and if you go onto any social media channel, you’ll notice many of the same photos published on multiple occasions.

You don’t have to resign yourself to taking identical pictures to everyone else; all you need is a little creativity. This article will identify simple ways to take unique photos of popular tourist destinations and attractions.

1. Wait for Different Times of the Day

Regardless of where you go, many touristy spots have their worst crowds when everybody’s awake. Besides not being an ideal time to visit, you might also need to endure harsh lighting conditions—which will make it trickier for you to get the types of photos you want.

If you want to take more unique pictures of iconic spots, you should take a little time to plan your photoshoots. Sunrise is an excellent time to go out for a spot of photography; the lighting is softer, and you’ll mostly meet locals at these sites.

On the flip side, sunset is another great time to capture interesting photos—even if you might have larger crowds. You can use several apps to help you plan the best photography times; Unscripted, for example, has a feature that lets you see when blue hour and golden hour starts.

2. Look for Unique Angles

If you want to capture more original images in locations that tourists frequent, you don’t have to try too hard. Many people take their photos at the same angle, and usually, that’s at face height. Moreover, you’ll notice that many pictures are head-on.

When you think outside the box, you’ll notice that you’ve got countless options for unique angles. For example, you might find a couple of backstreets that offer interesting perspectives.

You can also consider hopping on a boat tour to experience the same attractions from more of an interesting—and less crowded—vantage point. Other ideas include:

• Crouching down
• Taking photos from a corner
• Looking for reflections in puddles and mirrors

3. Use a Telephoto Lens

Wide-angle lenses have several benefits and are the perfect companion if you want to improve your travel photography skills. But if you’re going to take more unique photos of touristy locations, you might want to switch things up a little.

Telephoto lenses are bulkier and less convenient to carry around. However, they let you get closer to your subject without having to move nearer in a physical sense. You can easily pick out unique details in the tourist attractions you’re visiting, such as textures on a building.

While telephoto lenses are often quite expensive, you can find cheaper alternatives. Buying second-hand photography gear is an excellent way to save money.

4. Try Black and White Photography

These days, most images you see will be in color. As such, one of the easiest ways to stand out is simply to do what others don’t—give black and white photography a try.

Black and white photography is a lot trickier than it seems. You still need to think strongly about lighting, and shadows will play a more important role than is often the case in color photos.

There are several styles of monochromatic photography you can try, including giving your pictures a bit of a color tint. Experiment and see what you can come up with.

5. Highlight Overtourism

Overtourism has significant consequences. It can lead to damage on well-trodden trails, which—in some cases—could take years to mend. Too many people in one place also strain resources, and in extreme cases, it can result in tensions between residents and visitors.

As a photographer, you’ve got a powerful gift for telling stories. If you can’t find any unique angles to take pictures of a location, you can consider raising awareness for the overtourism in that particular spot.

You can photograph crowds, plus the consequences of overtourism—such as overflowing trash cans. If you want to create a larger photo essay, consider visiting alternative locations on your trip and highlighting the beauty of those instead.

6. Consider Buying a Drone

When thinking about taking unique photos of frequently-visited places, you might want to consider purchasing a drone. Yes, they can be expensive—but experimenting with them is a lot of fun, and you’ll grab a perspective that few others get to.

If you choose to purchase a drone, check the laws for the area you’re going to. In some cases, you might need to obtain a special license—and you’ll probably have to adhere to specific laws for flying over airports and other locations.

Some destinations forbid drone usage. If that’s the case for where you’re going, or you simply don’t want to get one, consider booking a helicopter tour instead.

7. Wait for Different Weather Conditions

From a practical perspective, photographing when the weather is clear makes complete sense. But at the same time, pictures of this kind can get a little tedious to look at. The same is true if you go to a place where moody photos are popular, and you copy what everyone else does.

Wherever you go, think about waiting for conditions that aren’t normal for that location. If everyone else takes pictures when it’s sunny, try waiting for the rain if possible. Similarly, you can enjoy great success taking photos during the winter.

As this tip relies on nature doing its own thing, you might not get lucky. Nonetheless, it’s very much worth keeping in mind.

You Don’t Have to Take the Same Photos as Everyone Else

Seeing the same photos taken in the same spots over and over can feel uninspiring, and perhaps you fear that your travel photography will be no different. But, you can find plenty of unique perspectives if you’re willing to think outside the box and try new things.

Keeping these tips in mind, you will have a unique perspective when you visit, and you should try to capture it as well as you can.