How To Have A Career In Travel Photography
Do you love traveling and taking pictures? If so, you may be wondering how to turn your passion into a career. It is easier than you think to have a career in travel photography! In this blog post, we will discuss the steps that you need to take to make your dream a reality. We will also provide tips on how to become a successful travel photographer. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more! Looking for more travel careers? Check out our Travel Careers category!
Start by taking photos of your friends and family
Even a professional travel photographer starts from somewhere and a great way to find what unique photography style you have to offer is by taking inspiring images of your friends or family! This is especially helpful when you are starting and don’t have any clients yet.
By taking photos of your loved ones, you will be able to experiment with different techniques and styles without the pressure of having to please a client. In addition, these photo sessions will also help build your portfolio.
Focus on building your online presence
An online portfolio is critical for travel photography jobs. It is one of the first things that clients will look at when considering you for a project. Make sure to include your best work and keep your website or blog updated regularly. In addition, promoting your work on social media is also a great way to get noticed by potential clients.
The photography business is all about self-promotion with incredible shots and the more exotic destinations you shoot, the more likely you are to get noticed.
Don’t be afraid to start small
You don’t need to book an around-the-world tour to get started in travel photography. Start by taking pictures in your city or town and then branch out from there. There are many opportunities for a professional travel photographer right in their backyard.
You can become a travel photographer for travel magazines in your city or region. Photographic skills, editing skills, and high-quality images are essential for getting your work published.
If you’re looking to get started in travel photography, the most important thing is to just get out there and start taking pictures! The more you practice, the better you’ll become. And who knows, maybe one day your career will take you around the world.
Enter travel photography contests
There are lots of professional travel photography contests that you can enter to get your work seen by a wider audience. Many of these contests have cash prizes that can help you finance your travels.
Some of the most popular travel photography contests include:
National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest:
This contest is great for your best shots of natural wonders and foreign places. Some exotic destinations may not be safe to travel to, but you can still submit photos of them. On social media, this is considered a highly competitive contest.
???? – Prize: The prize for this contest includes a $10000 cash prize and a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Adventure Travel Film Festival:
This festival is a great way to get your work in front of an audience of travel enthusiasts. It’s also a great networking opportunity. The films shown at this festival are typically very high quality, so it’s a great place to see what other photographers are doing.
???? – Prize: Though there is no cash prize for this festival, networking as a professional travel photographer, meeting new clients, and learning some travel photography tips can be equally as valuable.
Travel Photographer Of The Year (TPOTY):
This is one of the most prestigious travel photography competitions in the world. It’s open to anyone, regardless of experience, and it’s a great way to get your work seen by some of the top names in the industry.
???? – Prize: The grand prize winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Africa, where they will photograph wildlife for National Geographic. Second and third place winners receive cash prizes of $5000 and $2500, respectively.
There are many other great festivals and competitions out there, so be sure to do your research and find one that’s right for you! And remember, even if you don’t win any awards, just getting your work out there is a victory in itself.
Build up your published work and online portfolio as a professional travel photographer
As a travel photographer, it’s important to have an online portfolio that prospective clients can view. There are several ways to get your work published online:
#1 – Create your own website or blog and showcase your photos
#2 – Submit your photos to stock photography websites
#3 – Sell your photos as fine art prints with your own business
When you become a travel photographer, you are always looking for potential clients for your travel images. If you focus on what sets you apart from other travel photographers, you will be able to target the right clients for your business.
- What is your specialty? Do you specialize in landscape photography, cityscapes, or portraits?
- What style of photography do you prefer? Do you like to shoot candidly, or do you prefer posed shots?
- What type of travel photography do you want to shoot? Do you want to focus on shooting destination weddings, or would you rather shoot photos of people in their natural environment?
Answering these questions will help you determine what kind of travel photographer you want to be, and what kind of work you should be submitting to stock photography websites.
Sell your photos on stock photography websites
In a travel photography career, you see your fair share of visual content from other travel photographers. And while some of it is great, some of it is not so great. But there’s one thing all travel photographers have in common: they’re constantly submitting new photos to stock photography websites.
Taking photographs, depending on your own abilities and camera equipment, can be great for making money. If you are self-motivated and want to sell prints of your best shots, then this could be a great option for you.
Another way to get started in travel photography is to submit your photos to stock photography websites. These websites are always looking for new and fresh photos from all over the world. This can be a great way to get your work seen by a wide audience and potentially make some money from your photos.
Many websites allow you to submit your photos for sale, and they will then market them to people who are looking for specific types of images. This can be a great way to get started and make some money while you’re at it!
Don’t forget to network with other travel photographers!
Just like any other career, networking is no exception for a photography career. If you love photography, you can join social media platforms and come up with creative ideas on a particular subject a lot easier. Many photographers and travel bloggers have found each other on social media and have become good friends because of it.
So there you have it! These are just a few tips to get you started on a career in travel photography. Just remember to be passionate about what you’re doing, work hard, and don’t give up on your dreams!
Learn from your mistakes as a freelance travel photographer
When you become a travel photographer, you learn photography skills such as lighting conditions, post-processing, and adobe photoshop skills. A few hours of getting a unique perspective on your work is a fantastic way to make a good start in your new career. You can get some great tips from other travel photographers on how they approach their work.
Also, read books about photography and take classes to improve your skills. Network with other photographers via social media or attend workshops and seminars. Constantly strive to improve your skills and knowledge so you can produce great shots.
Search For Travel Jobs Near You:
Find a niche that you’re good at and stick with it
Your travel photography journey will come with more than formal education. The perfect shot for travel photos is one thing but having that unique perspective is what will set you apart from the rest. Find a style or genre of photography that you’re passionate about and focus on that. It could be landscape, portraits, action shots, etc. Once you find your niche, build a strong portfolio around it.
There are many ways to make money with a photography portfolio and creative vision. Some work as resort photographers for tourist attractions to promote tour operators with photo tours. The tourism industry always needs updated travel images and offers a great career path.
Maybe your travel photography passion is being a destination wedding photographer. This is a great way to travel while getting paid!
Do your research on the type of photography each country or area is known for and target those areas. For example, Morocco is known for its architecture, Spain for its food, China for its landscapes, etc. Find what you love and let that lead the way!
Travel Photography Tips
Aside from checking out the National Geographic website for landscape photography or local tourism boards, you can find more career paths by talking to other professional photographer and getting their input or experiences on how to become a travel photographer. Other tips include:
-Network with other photographers in the area or online gallery websites.
-Attend photography workshops, follow travel photographs on your Instagram feed, or join a photo club.
-Read a travel blog and photography magazines to see where different photographers have been recent.
-Take an online photography course that is offered by travel photography websites like National Geographic.
-Build an image library of your digital images to show potential employers
You can learn photography and other photography tips along your career path as you build up your professional travel photography portfolio. Your photography style is what makes your travel photos, good pictures, or great art. But, some general photography tips will help you take better travel photos no matter your style.
Here are a few more things to keep in mind when you’re out shooting:
-Get closer to your subject than you think you should. The most common mistake made by beginning photographers standing too close to their subject.
-Look for the light. The best travel photos are taken in good lighting, so look for areas that are well lit.
-Find interesting compositions. A great photo is not only about the subject, but also about the composition of the image. Look for interesting ways to frame your subject.
-Be patient. The best travel photos often take time to set up. Don’t be afraid to wait around for the perfect shot.
-Have fun! Photography is supposed to be enjoyable, so make sure you are having a good time while you shoot.
By following these tips you can start to develop your style and approach to travel photography. Experiment and find what works best for you. Remember, the best way to learn is by doing. So get out there and start shooting!