Travel blogging is an increasingly popular niche, and it’s easy to see why — who doesn’t want to make money while traveling around the world and exploring beautiful destinations?
However, you need above-average photography skills to stand out among the crowd of travel bloggers. If you want to amass a following, you need to bring something new to the table. The following are several travel photography tips that can help you curate a blog, grow your travel website, and make the most of your explorations.
Craft a cohesive aesthetic
One of the best ways to distinguish between travel photos is by choosing a distinct aesthetic. In other words, you need consistent elements in your pictures to make your website cohesive.
For example, Gypsea Lust is a popular travel blog with more than two million Instagram followers. The images on this site have a consistent visual aesthetic: neutral tones highlighted with vibrant blue accents. Most of the featured photos have muted color palettes, likely achieved through photo editing and filters.
If you’re just starting out, one of the best travel photography tips is to use a free tool like VSCO to help you apply consistent filters to images.
Wake up early
When photographing places, be it a famous monument or a beautiful landscape, it’s in your best interest to get up early — crack-of-dawn early.
This is beneficial for two reasons:
- According to PhotoBlog, early-morning light lends itself to beautiful photographs, as it creates a soft, diffused light and long, dramatic shadows.
- You’ll be able to capture images a lot easier if you beat the crowds, which is essential if you’re shooting a popular tourist location.
Play with perspective
Perspective is an essential aspect of any photograph and it’s especially important in travel photography.
Play around with angles. Lie on the ground or find something to stand on. Get closer or move further away. Focus on different parts of your subject. Little modifications will help you capture unique images that your audience will love.
Go with the flow
Accept that even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. Take solace knowing that unexpected detours and setbacks can lead to even better stories for your blog:
“Landscape, travel, and adventure photography are all a bit of ‘you don’t know what you’re going to get,'” photographer Daniel Ernst told Condé Nast Traveler. “Conditions can be unpredictable, hiking trails may be closed, and severe weather might limit what you can do. The best plan is to be open and take it easy.”
Obtain consent
If you’re taking a close-up photograph of a person, politely ask for permission first. To this end, you may want to learn how to say, “May I take your photo?” in the local language — it may just flatter your subject enough to win them over.
Let locals guide you
Another way to take unique photographs is to find a local guide who can show you off-the-path gems or suggest places to visit. When you’re friendly and appreciative, most people will be glad to assist in your travels.
Enjoy yourself — even if it means putting down the camera
Finally, don’t get so caught up in creating content that you forget to enjoy what you’re doing. After all, what’s the point of traveling if you only experience it through a viewfinder?
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