How To Take the Perfect Travel Pictures

Vacations start quick and end fast. Blink and before you know it, you’re returning home with a suitcase filled with stinky clothes and souvenirs.

So how can you capture a memorable moment from your travels forever?

Easy. Travel photography done right can record the essence of any destination. The right picture can capture the grand elegance of wide-sweeping mountains or the complex labyrinth of cityscapes. It can also situate you right in the scenery, acting as a record of both the destination as it was, and the version of you that happily traversed those spots.

Taking travel pictures is an important part of any trip. And while fully disconnecting in order to immerse yourself in the moment can be rejuvenating sometimes, taking pictures can help you engage more deeply — and more genuinely — with the locations you visit.

Ready to start snapping perfect travel photos, whatever country you’re exploring?

Work With A Professional:

If you’ve got the right balance of budget and bougie (no judgment — we all love a little brunch), seek out a local photographer to take some high-quality pictures of your travels.

Snapping with a professional photographer will put the most important part of your vacation — you — front and center. All without having to hand over your smartphone to an unsuspecting tourist, who’ll give back a few, blurry images in return that’ll have you feeling like Sasquatch snapped mid-frame.

Travel photo sessions ensure every picture of you is frame-worthy. Seamlessly blend portrait pictures in with the natural, local backdrop for unforgettable pictures perfect for Instagram, showing to friends and family, or just as a personal memento.

Airbnb runs multiple photography tour packages, as well as a huge range of other destination-based activities, to help spice up any itinerary. Searching Instagram for relevant hashtags can also help you find a local photo expert to capture your best angles.

Dare to DIY:

These days, smartphone camera quality is crystal clear and entry-level DSLR cameras are more affordable than ever (no, I’m not talking about the latest mirrorless photo tech, which can cost more than a full year of rent–or at least, my rent). Which means that taking pictures of yourself, by yourself, is easier than ever too.

Aside from snapping selfies, focus on the scenery — but not the hot spots. After all, everyone’s already seen the postcard-perfect pictures of the must-visit destinations.

Instead, discover the charm of small alleys and interesting architecture. Avoid mirroring the pictures, places, and poses of what’s trending on social media these days. The inherent interest in tiny details–with you as the main subject–creates far more engaging, artistic work than just snapping a shot in front of the popular places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-j-9UqRZoU&t=1s

Experiment with matching colors, framing your face in alleys or doorways, or adding some action to your photos. Investing in a good selfie stick, gorilla grip, or camera-timer can pay off in the long run.

If you’re feeling irrationally bold, ask around for someone to model. I’ve always found that shooting someone else really helps me focus on every specific detail of wherever I visit. My focus is magnified by looking through the lens, rather than worrying about how to pose my own body or overcoming feelings of awkwardness.

Do Your Research:

Remember how I said not to lurk around on Instagram for posing or picture inspiration? While certainly copying composition or photo location all of the time leads to some pretty uninspired pictures, browsing for a unique spot or some general tips on how to frame your body can be useful. Especially for people not as comfortable in front of the camera.

However, instead of just Ctrl+c, Ctrl+v’ing it verbatim, use social media to discover some hidden gems. Don’t go for the obvious money shot. Small cafes, tucked-away side streets, and less frequented destinations will make your photos stand out more and provide you a chance to explore off the beaten path.

For example, currently, the Hanok Bukchon Village in central Seoul is one of the hottest, most Instagrammable places to visit when traveling in South Korea. And while it’s undeniably picturesque, it’s also flooded with tourists all trying to capture shot looking out over the city. Which leads to cramped pictures with a crowd in the background.

On the other hand, Euljiro is much less frequented, but still has an atmosphere that’s unique for picture-taking, as well as a bunch of cute cafes and artistic galleries.

TL;DR: Quick, Travel Photo Tips:

For those that want just a short snapshot of some basic travel photo techniques, here they are:

• Chase the light: Get up early for golden hour, capture the sunset sunlight, and add some sparkle to scenery with nighttime neon signage
• Ask before you snap: Get permission if you’re taking street photography pictures of people. Style is important for photography, but so is consent.
• Tripod=terrific travel pics: Stability is key for consistent snaps. Ensure high-quality photos by packing a lightweight tripod or gorilla grip.
• Experiment: If you want travel pictures that don’t look like other people’s pictures, then photograph differently from other people. Try extreme angles, focus on a new subject, or zoom into the details.
• And explore: The best pictures are hiding right off the main roads. Let yourself wander the streets, soaking in the scenery, to find the most inspired travel shots.

Grab your camera and start shooting!

For adventurers interested in photographing new locations in an all-new way, head to Half Rats Studios for fresh travel photo content, every Friday!