How to Become a Travel Photographer
Travel can be a great way to capture inspired photography. There's something magical about shooting somewhere you've never been before. It really sparks your creativity!
However, maybe you're worried about photographer travel fees, what are the best destinations, what is the best camera backpack to travel with and more.
Fortunately, this article will address how to become a travel photographer as well as provide tips and tricks for successful travel photography.
How to Become a Travel Photographer
Travel photography is the embodiment of how beautiful wanderlust can be. Of course, becoming a successful travel photographer isn't as simple as a plane ticket and a camera.
Here's everything you need to know about getting into travel photography:
Best Camera for Travel Photography
Considering the fact that you might have to bring your camera on a plane, around the city, or even on hikes, you’re going to want a lightweight one.
You’ll also want to capture all the stunning detail of the places you visit, so a camera with wide aperture settings and a quality lens is a must.
Here are some of our top picks:
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
- Canon EOS M50 Mark II
- Nikon D3500
- Fujifilm X-T200
Travel Photography Gear Guide
Before you cast yourself into the unknown, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need. After all, realizing you don’t have a piece of equipment you need in a foreign country would be a real bummer.
- Travel Camera Bag: We recommend the Voyager camera backpack. This backpack packs a serious amount of gear for its size, fitting two DSLR cameras, up to seven lenses, a laptop, a tablet, and other accessories. It’s also made of a waterproof material, making it perfect for any of your travels, rain or shine. And, you’ll have quick access to your camera during your travels.
- Lenses: To get more quality shots, we recommend bringing a wide-angle lens and zoom lens. These will allow you to take incredible landscapes, or focus on a subject from a distance.
- Chargers: Imagine hiking to the top of a mountain, only to find out your battery is dead. Yikes. Always bring a portable power bank with you.
- Memory Cards: Again, you don’t want to run out of space, especially when you’re snapping shots of the scenery left and right. Always bring extra memory cards with you!
- Microfiber Lens Cloths: When you’re out and about it’s important to keep your camera clean. You can do so with these handy microfiber lens cloths.
What Education is Needed to Become a Travel Photographer?
While no formal education is required to get into travel photography, it’s good to know a thing or two about the hobby. If you’re unsure of where to start, here are some topics to look into:
Is Travel Photography a Good Career?
As with anything, making a career out of travel photography is all about balance. You have to consider your still set, passion, equipment, and more.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the photographer travel fees you wrack up don't outweigh your income. After all, you'll have to pay for plane rides, hotels, rental cars, and more.
So, how do you make money from travel photography?
How do Travel Photographers get Paid?
Well, there are a few different ways:
- Stock Photography: Though it might seem boring to some, stock photography is a great way to make an income. This is because the income you receive will be passive over time, even if you aren’t doing anything in the present.
- Social Media: Ever popular, gathering a large following for your travel photography on social media can really pay off. The bigger your follower count, the more you’ll get paid.
- Client Work: One of the most reliable forms of pay, client work is usually commission based. A company or person will ask you to take pictures of something, and you’ll oblige for payment!
- Travel Blogging: A great way to talk about your experiences and get paid in the process. You’ll need to make a website or post on an existing one. Again, the more followers, the better.
- Teaching: If you’re a pro photographer and you want to turn your travel photography into a career, consider teaching. As a teacher, you’ll be able to educate others, pursue your passion, and make money in the process.
Up Next: How to Start a Photography Business
Now that you know the answer to the question: “How to become a travel photographer?”, What are your plans? Let us know in the comments how you would pursue your travel photography career.
And, if you want to learn more about how to turn your passion for photography into a business, check out our article on just that!
