If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a travel photographer, you’re not alone. Many aspiring photographers envision themselves in this role but give up their dreams before even getting started. All because they believe it’s too difficult to break into the industry.
The truth is, you don’t have to be the next National Geographic photographer to have a successful career. Travel photography is a broad term, and you can also specialize in shooting resorts or destination weddings.
This article will teach you how to follow your dream of becoming a travel photographer by providing practical advice for beginners. From tips on developing your visual style to how to network and find your first clients, you’ll learn everything you need to know to kickstart your photography career as a traveler.
What does a travel photographer do?
Contrary to popular belief, the duties of a travel photographer go beyond shooting the travel experiences of tourists. Travel photography involves documenting an area, the people, and culture, as well as tourism infrastructure (recreational areas, accommodation facilities, tourist services, etc.).
5 practical tips to get started in photography as a traveler
If you’ve always wondered how someone becomes a travel photographer, here’s a quick guide.
1) Research travel photography types
Travel photographer is a broad term that cannot describe what a specific person actually does. However, if you choose a niche in travel photography, it will be easier for you to position yourself in the market and stand out among other photography professionals.
To begin with, you can become a stock travel photographer by selling your photos on stock content platforms like DepositPhotos. This job is easy to combine with other photography gigs and can help you build a portfolio.
Some other options include becoming a travel portrait photographer, photowalk guide, photojournalist, travel photography blogger, wildlife photographer, vacation photographer, destination wedding photographer, or resort photographer.
2) Develop your style
One of the best things you can do to build a career as a travel photographer is to develop your unique visual style. This will help you stand out among the many photographers in the industry.
While finding your own style can be difficult, there are a few things you can do to get closer to achieving this goal. Some people find role models and study their work and professional path to find inspiration and answers to their questions. Others experiment with different creative techniques, editing styles, subjects, and storylines to see what resonates with them.
It is also very effective to ask yourself the right questions. If you can’t answer what scenes you like to photograph, identify what you don’t like and work backward from there. Figure out why you don’t like certain scenes, techniques, or effects, and use that information to guide your creative path.
3) Set professional goals
Even though photography is seen as a creative profession, it requires a lot of planning and goal-setting. This is the only way to achieve what you want without getting distracted by other opportunities. In fact, people who set clear goals are 90% more likely to succeed.
To direct your career, ask yourself questions like, what kind of projects do I want to work on? What type of clients do I want to attract? How much money do I want to make selling photos? What’s my ideal frequency for work-related travel? Where do I see myself in five years?
While it’s important to set realistic goals, you don’t have to give up on your dreams. This means that if you want your works to be displayed in galleries, make it a goal, but don’t force it. The first few years of your career you can focus on building your portfolio and reputation in the industry.
4) Network with other photographers
Networking is a key component to success in many industries, including photography. Research shows that networking is highly effective for jobseekers, with 42% of professionals stating it helped them secure their current job.
To start with, networking can increase your visibility within your niche. Second, it allows you to get constructive feedback from your colleagues. Third, it can help you build a professional support system. Lastly, networking provides you access to more information, e.g., new opportunities, potential collaborations, or emerging trends.
So, if you have the opportunity to meet people in your field, take it. Go to photo festivals, join photography groups, and attend workshops to expand your network. Make it a goal to connect with at least one person at the event. This is more than enough to start building your network.
5) Find clientele for photography travels
There are many ways to sell your travel photos, and the choice is entirely up to you. You can upload your images to stock content marketplaces like Depositphotos and earn passive income from them. Another option is to sell your work through your website or social media platforms.
Some photographers enter photo contests to win cash prizes and get noticed. Others contact potential clients directly to offer their services. You can choose any combination of these methods; just make sure they align with your goals.
Summing up
Having a well-thought-out plan is only part of the guide to success in traveler photography. It’s even more crucial to hone your craft and develop a unique perspective to share with the world. So, remain open to new opportunities, experimenting, and learning in order to refine your work and consistently evolve as a creative.
Gaurav Sharma is the founder and CEO of Attrock, a results-driven digital marketing company. Grew an agency from 5-figure to 7-figure revenue in just two years | 10X leads | 2.8X conversions | 300K organic monthly traffic. He also contributes to top publications like HuffPost, Adweek, Business 2 Community, TechCrunch, and more.
