Chances are, if you’ve ever tried to document your travels with a camera, you’ve taken some cliché, if not really cheesy travel photos. I certainly have, and I’m embarrassed to show those photos to friends and family after my trips.

1. No Stiff Smiles

No big cheese! We’ve all taken awkward family photos with big forced smiles and they’re as uncomfortable as they are cliché. I’m not saying look like the grumpy dad at Disney on your entire vacation, but loosen up. Try telling jokes or making your subject laugh to get a more natural reaction. This leads us right into Tip 2.

2. Break Eye Contact

Don’t look into the camera, especially with a big cheesy smile. Everyone would rather be on the beach with a mai tai in their hand, but we’re here for Aunt Gertrude’s 102nd birthday, so let’s try to make the best of it. Try capturing your subject looking at the architecture or landscape. Show them truly enjoying the scene, not the camera.

3. Competing Subjects

Pick a subject. One thing that travel photos suffer from is the lack of a subject. Before snapping a photo, pick your subject: What’s the focus of the photo? Whether it’s little Timmy, a building, a landscape, or even a slice of Sbarro pizza, have your person pose to emphasize themselves or the subject. The angle of your camera and depth of field are powerful tools for emphasizing a subject in your photos. Now, let’s dive a little deeper in Tip 4.

4. Environment Interaction

Climb stairs, lean on a rail or wall, sit on a bench, etc. Don’t be an idiot and hop the fence of Buckingham Palace for TikTok clout, but the most boring photos in the world are, “Here is a person… standing in front of a thing.” Get creative, but don’t be that person that ruins it for everyone.

5. Crowds

Avoid crowds. This may mean waking up before the average tourist, walking the extra mile, or stumbling upon that hidden gem that no one knows about. Talk to locals if you want to experience something unique off the beaten path. This is a secret to making great friends and finding unique photo opportunities that haven’t been shot to death already.

6. Lighting

Golden hour at sunrise and sunset will likely be your best lighting in most cases, but it’s different for each environment. And some places, like Las Vegas for example, truly come alive after the sun has gone down. Pay attention to the light for some truly dynamic images.

In large cities with skyscrapers like NYC, you’ll find great golden hour light on streets that run East & West, while North & South streets will be darker because the sun will be blocked until closer to mid-day.

7. Composition

In addition to lighting, composition is a huge part of what makes any great photo memorable. How you choose to frame your image, the angle, and the height of the camera will tell your audience where to look in the photo. Always be thinking about the Rule of Thirds, Symmetry, Asymmetry, keeping your horizon level, and not having distracting elements in your shot. You may find yourself laying on the ground to get the perfect shot, so suck it up buttercup, because in photography, this is the kind of dedication that takes a photo from being just okay to being great.

8. Candid Moments

It sounds easier than it is, but be sure to capture candid moments. This is probably my favorite tip. Not every shot needs to be posed. Capturing your subjects in a journalistic fashion as they explore the environment, will lead to more natural feeling expressions and more genuine storytelling images of your travels. You’ll be taking quite a few more shots, but when the moment and the lighting are working together… that’s a great photo!

9. Put the Camera Down

A counter-intuitive tip here: put the camera down. I have trips that I hardly remember, aside from some photos stashed on a hard drive, because I had my camera up to my face the entire time. I completely missed out on the moments and memories with friends and family, because I was so worried about trying to capture them. And that, Alanis Morissette, is actually irony. Taking the time to enjoy your surroundings will lead to better imagery when you’re not tunnel-visioned through your viewfinder.

Those are my nine tips for taking better travel portraits! Until next time, get out and go shoot!

Travelers have plenty to look forward to on their trip to culturally rich Ghana. The country’s compelling history, vibrant clothing prints and flavorful dishes are attractive to first-time visitors and keep people coming back for more. Ghana’s warm-hearted citizens make the country one of the friendliest spots in West Africa.

Life in Ghana generally moves at a slow, relaxed pace, but it can also be chaotic and fast in different settings. Embrace the cultural differences, mass traffic and intense bargaining, and you may fall in love with the place.

Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re returning, navigating the ways of Ghana can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for your trip to Ghana.

Gather the necessary documents for entry

Getting the paperwork together to visit Ghana is a process on its own and can be pricey. All visitors to Ghana must have a valid visa, and they range in cost depending on whether you apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Your visa for Ghana can take nearly three weeks to arrive unless you shell out extra for an expedited service.

A yellow fever vaccine is also required for entry into Ghana. Check with your local health department or medical clinics to get vaccinated. Malaria pills are also strongly recommended for visitors and can be prescribed by your doctor. If you can’t get your hands on them before coming, pharmacies in Ghana have plenty in stock, and they tend to be a lot cheaper.

Bring a copy of your passport

If you plan to visit different cities outside of Accra, be sure to print a copy of your passport to keep in your bag as you travel around the country. Police stops are common, and officers are known to ask for passport information.

Forget you have a left hand

In Ghana, actions like eating, waving and handing an item to someone are to be done with your right hand only (sorry, left-handers!). From an early age, many Ghanaians are taught that their left hand is to be used for cleaning themselves in the bathroom. Therefore, your left hand is considered filthy and should not be used for eating and other activities. Using your left hand for gestures and main tasks is considered highly disrespectful.

Eating with your hands is a cultural practice

Soup-based meals are paired with a starch staple food like fufu or banku and eaten with your hands (remember the right-hand rule!). Be observant of how those around you are eating, embrace the culture and dig in.

Keep your thumbs down

While the thumbs-up gesture in many places signifies approval, in Ghana, it shows disrespect.

Always greet others

Greetings in Ghana are a big deal, and it’s considered rude to not greet others. When you enter a room, you should say hello, good morning, good afternoon or good evening. When you meet a group of adults and greet them with a handshake, start with the person on the farthest right.

Respect your elders

Respect for elders is immense in Ghana. You should not greet elders with a hat on your head. If you are wearing a hat, take it off completely or lift it halfway while extending your greeting. Give up your seat on the bus for those older than you. Crossing your legs and having your hands in your pockets in the presence of elders are gestures that are frowned upon.

Be mindful of clothing cultures from city to city

Ghanaian clothing culture tends to lean more towards the conservative side. Accra is more relaxed, and you’re likely to see more shorts and crop tops. However, people elsewhere tend to cover up, so bring clothing that covers your chest and shoulders and reaches or goes past your knees.

Learn common phrases in Twi and other languages

English is widely spoken in Ghana, but the country is home to many different languages and ethnic groups. Twi, Ewe, Ga and Krobo are a few of many languages spoken depending on the region. English is widely spoken, but it’s important to remember that not everyone speaks it, especially once you are out of Accra and into rural parts of Ghana. Learning a few phrases in the local language is always appreciated and embraced by Ghanaians.

Watch your belongings

Pickpocketing and instances of petty theft are often the biggest concern you will have in Ghana. Pickpocketing can be prevalent in crowded areas like Osu, Madina and Makola Market. Always keep your bag in front of you and away from the roadside to avoid snatching incidents. Don’t carry a large amount of cash on you.

Your phone should always be in sight and accounted for. Motorcyclists in Accra are known to snatch phones out of the hands of people as they are passing by both in cars and when walking. It is wise to never stick your phone out of a car window for pictures and videos.

Expect police stops all the time

Police stops in Ghana occur frequently, mainly at night but they can happen throughout the day. Your vehicle can be randomly searched by officers, they may ask for ID and search your bag. These searches usually last for about five minutes, and it is best to comply.

Bribery is common in Ghana, and you may be asked to “dash” officers, which means tip. You can choose to give it or not as it’s often only C10 to C20 (US$1.66 to US$3.33), but it may make the difference between a five-minute stop and a 40-minute one.

Police encounters in Ghana are generally nothing to worry about. The officers are usually friendly. They may have a “tough guy” attitude, but as you talk to them more, the guard comes down.

Be wary of those who want to get close to you fast

It’s easy to meet new people in Ghana, and conversations are always flowing. People are open to new connections and tend to get close quickly at times, but be careful of fast-moving romantic approaches and those who immediately ask for favors or money. Scams are common in Ghana and can occur in romantic encounters.

Cash is king

When you’re in Ghana, always have some cash on you, or you may find yourself stuck. Not every establishment accepts card payments, and if they do, the POS systems are often down. ATMs are everywhere in Ghana, so getting cash is always an option. You can still bring both credit and debit cards, and many establishments in Ghana only have debit card machines.

Forex Bureau exchange shops will change your cash to Ghanaian cedis. A tip is to bring big bills (100s) for a higher exchange rate. The smaller your bills, the less money you will get for them.

Avoid drinking the water

Drinking tap water in Ghana is not the best idea because there’s no guarantee to know whether the water has gone through the proper measures to ensure it is safe. Boil your water or use a water filter before you drink it.

Expect weak wi-fi in most areas

Ask your accommodation about wi-fi speeds before your arrival if you plan to use it. Even if internet speeds aren’t the best where you’re staying, you can find reliable spots such as Vida e Caffè and Basecamp Initiative.

Use cash for Uber and Bolt

Download Uber and Bolt before you arrive. While paying by card is an option on both apps, don’t plan on using it. Many drivers prefer cash and will cancel your ride if they find out you are paying using your card, or it could be an issue once you arrive at your destination. You can always ask the driver to stop at an ATM before the final drop-off point.

Get a local phone number

You can get a SIM card at Vodafone, a phone carrier at A&C Mall in Accra so that you can have a Ghana number. Ghana is a place where verbal conversations are preferred over texting and online communication. Drivers often call their passengers to find out exactly where they are and move faster.

Never underestimate Accra traffic

Accra traffic is nothing to be played with. You may see an attraction that you want to check out that is only 15 minutes away from your accommodations and get there in an hour and a half because of traffic. It’s best not to set reservations for a place if you don’t have to. While traffic and delays can be extremely frustrating, you’ll have to learn to go with the flow.

You might wonder why, every time a celebrity steps foot outside, they are dressed to the nines and always looking extremely stylish, even if it’s just in sweatpants. That’s because they often have a creative genius behind their look, also known as a stylist! Most of your favorite stars’ best looks were created by stylists that you might have never heard of — and that needs to change. Here are five celebrity stylists you need to follow right now!

1. Maeve Reilly

If you’re into cool and edgy street style, Maeve Reilly is your girl to follow. She’s worked with so many cool celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Megan Fox, and Charli D’Amelio. Maeve doesn’t keep all her tips and tricks just herself, though; she shares them on her YouTube channel. She makes all kinds of interesting videos regarding fashion, one of our favorites being her “What exactly is Street Style Fashion?” video.

2. Law Roach

If you’re into neutrals and a monochromatic moment, follow Law Roach right now. Not only is he an amazing stylist, but he is also a fashion icon himself — he’s currently the judge on HBO Max’s “Legendary”. He styles so many celebs like Zendaya, Bella Hadid, Venus Williams, Tom Holland, and so many more! Here is one of our favorite neutral red carpet looks he put together for Zendaya!

3. Dani Michelle

Dani Michelle is another great celebrity stylist and who appears to be a Kardashian favorite, with Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian both using her frequently. Her style and styling skills are truly unmatched. One of our favorite looks from her is a street style outfit she did for Kourt consisting of a silver strapless top with cameo cargo pants. I think it’s safe to say cargo pants are cool again.

4. Chloe and Chenelle Delgadilo

A sister styling duo! We love it! Wardrobe scientists Chloe and Chenelle Delgadilo are taking the fashion world by storm. Some of their top clients include Olivia Rodrigo, Willow Smith, and SZA. They styled Olivia for her tour, and let’s just say they did not hold anything back. All her looks are so perfect and match her personality so well! Well done, ladies!