Whether you are a traveler extraordinaire who hopes to take better travel photos, you want to explore the world of posting on social media, you are a mom who snaps pictures of her family wherever you go, OR you want to UP your adventure photography game, learning a few of basic tips will help to improve your photography skills AND the quality of your photographs.
Let’s get started.
30 Simple Tips to Take Better Travel Photos
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Here are a few simple tips to follow as you are traveling and learning how to take aesthetic photos—especially when you visit sites that are popular and everyone else wants to visit at the same time as you!
Aesthetic definition: (adj) concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. Examples of beautiful objects are: landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art.
1. Avoid Visiting Popular Sites at Popular Times
Maybe this isn’t the “popular” answer, but it is the obvious one.
To avoid visiting popular attractions at the busiest times, this tip might mean waking up early in the morning before crowds gather or visiting a popular site in the early evening when crowds begin to thin.
Not a morning person? Sometimes sacrifices have to be made to capture the best pic and take better travel photos!
Other busy times you may wish to avoid visiting popular sites:
- During holidays
- In the high season
- On a local holiday
- Around noon
- On the weekend
That being said, sometimes you just have to go with the flow and recognize that your shots might be full of 500 of your “new” best friends!
2. Avoid Crowds and Tour Groups if Possible
One of my golden rules for dining while traveling is to wander about five blocks away from the main tourist area and crowded dining options to find out-of-the-way restaurants where the locals might pop in for lunch or dinner.
The same can be said for learning how to take aesthetic photos. If you find that the main tourist areas are completely overrun with tourists AND with tour groups following a guide holding a brightly colored selfie stick, wander away from the crowds and discover the photos that show local life, Friday morning markets, and beautiful architecture.
You will be amazed at your ability to take better travel photos when you can slow down and enjoy the scene in front of you.
3. Be Patient
Have you ever looked at a photo on Instagram and wondered, “How did they manage to take a picture without any tourists in it? When I was there it was so crowded I could hardly keep track of my family!”
Patience, my friend. Patience.
…And having your camera ready to go the moment the last tourist walks out of your frame. That’s another idea for learning to take better travel photos.
Again, patience may not reward you with a tourist-free shot. Sometimes you just have to be okay with that.
>> Related: Romantic Instagram Quotes for Couples Who Love to Travel
4. Have Your Camera Settings Dialed In and Act Fast
Having patience leads to this tip: As you are waiting for a photo opportunity, make sure that you have ALL of your camera settings ready to go. Take a few test pictures while the crowds are milling if needed so you know that your shot will be perfect. Adjust for light, change angles, or zoom in.
Act fast once your frame clears.
This spot in front of of the General Sherman tree in the Sequoia National Park in California is often besieged with tourists wanting a memento in front of the giant sequoia tree and the sign.
To capture a “tourist-free” photo of the tree, be ready for the break in the crowd and then snap away. You may only have 2 seconds. Again, have your settings ready to go so that you know the shot will turn out the way you want.
>> Related: 20 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Yosemite National Park
5. Have Your Smartphone Ready as a Backup
This may take a little fancy handwork, but have your camera open on your phone and easy to reach if you are switching between a DSLR. If you find you just can’t get the lighting right or need to shoot from a higher angle to take better travel photos, use your phone’s camera.
Don’t be afraid to use your phone for pictures.
Cameras on newer phones offer sophisticated and advanced technology for all of your travel and adventure photography.
6. Edit Your Photos Later
Edit, edit, edit.
There are free apps for your phone or even desktop options such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom where you can crop and remove people from your photo. A little bit of magic to help you take better travel photos.
If you have never used the Adobe products, there is a learning curve associated with those programs.
My tip: Straighten your photos. This is especially apparent if you are taking photos of the ocean. Be sure to straighten the horizon before posting online.
7. Stand So People in the Background are Hidden from View
Sometimes it will be simply impossible to wait for all of the people to clear from your shot to take an amazing travel photo.
If you can, place your subject (you, a family member, friend, or travel partner) strategically in front of people in the distance.
Voila! It looks as though the street is empty AND that you have mad photography skills!
8. Take Day Trips to Less Popular Destinations to Take Better Travel Photos
The touristy experiences in the bigger cities, such as Rome and Venice and Paris, are great so you can say, “I’ve been there!”, but sometimes getting outside of the city and away from the crowds is awesome.
Day trips to smaller, out-of-the-way towns and villages, such as Orvieto in Italy or Riquewihr in France, can be just as magical and picturesque.
>> Related: 7 Instagram Worthy Villages in the Cotswolds
9. Simply Ask People to Move
You will find that most people will move when they see you waiting with a camera in hand to take a picture.
Sometimes you’ll just have to ask people to move and they are happy to do it. Other times, there’s no rushing some people and they are going to stand in that spot for as long as they want. Dang it! (If this is the case, you can go back to the “be patient” point, you can change your angle, you can try again later, or you can just move along.)
10. Use the Crowd in Your Shot to Take Better Travel Photos
Recognize that sometimes you just aren’t going to get the “tourist-free” shot of your dreams when you are planning how to take aesthetic photos of a destination.
For example, the Piazzale degli Uffizi in Florence outside of the Uffizi Museum is often overcrowded with tourists. You may wish to have all of the tourists move out of the way for you to capture the amazing architecture in the foreground and the buildings in the background, but sometimes wishes don’t come true.
Take the picture anyway.
>> Related: Best Things To Do In Florence, Italy
Tips for Looking Awesome and Taking Pictures of YOU!
11. Wear Colors that POP
Do you know what colors look best on you?
Choose bright colors that enhance your skin AND make your photos POP with color when you travel.
It may be as simple as wearing a brightly colored scarf.
Consider your destination and make color choices based on it. For example, if you’re at the beach, wear something besides blue so that you stand out from the color of the ocean.
>> Related: 27 Instagram Worthy, Insanely Colorful Destinations Around the World
12. Learn How to Pose to Show Your Best Side
- Move to good lighting
- Slightly push your butt out behind you to show a slimmer torso
- Bend your arm to create space between your arm and your body
- Turn your body 45 degrees toward the camera
- Turn your face so one ear is closer to the camera and slightly tilt your chin down
- Lean forward from the waist just a touch
- Stand tall, don’t slouch. Watch your posture. Sit up to elongate and slim your waist
- Put one foot forward—put most of your weight on the foot in the back
- Show movement—walk, twirl, look away from camera, grab your sunglasses, tuck your hair behind your ear
- Be confident
- Take candid shots
- Use props and have some fun
13. Use a Tripod
While not one of your essential photography gadgets, you may find that a tripod for your camera or your iPhone comes in handy for family photos, still shots, selfies and travel and adventure photography.
The GorillaPod might be a great inbetween tripod if your camera and lens fit the 6.6 pound weight specification.
14. Use a Selfie Stick to Take Better Travel Photos of You!
In a world with camera phones, it is a simple task to ask your travel partners or even a stranger to take your picture.
If you go on vacation and return home without a single photo of you, hand over your camera next time or consider investing in a selfie stick.
How to Take Aesthetic Photos: Follow the Rules of Composition
If you are a new photographer and are feeling a little overwhelmed as you learn to master your camera and take better travel photos, take heart. It takes a lot of practice. The amazing thing about digital cameras is that you can take as many photos as you like, delete as many photos as you don’t like, and continue learning each time you venture out with your camera to take better travel photos.
Following a few rules of composition will enhance your photos.
15. Consider the Light
Use natural light as much as possible in your photographs. Natural light generally refers to any light created by the sun (or the moon).
While it would be nice to say, “Avoid the sun at midday,” sometimes you just can’t as you are traveling. What can you do in such a situation?
- Use a lens hood
- Try to find shade
- Make a point to come back to the spot in early morning or early evening
- Have your subject turn their back to the camera
- Take advantage of the shadows cast by your subject and be creative
- Shoot from a different angle
Good lighting is essential to your photographs when you are trying to take better travel photos.
Quick Tip * Do you ever wonder where the ideal position is to have your subject stand in relation to the sun? Have them stand so that when you as the photographer are facing them, you see their shadow between you and them.
16. Use the Rule of Thirds To Take Better Travel Photos
Imagine that your screen (view finder) is divided into a grid of 9 equal sections when you frame your shot. For the most dynamic and natural photos, move your subject away from the center of the photo and place them along one of those vertical lines or where the points intersect.
You can turn ON the “GRID” option in your camera app or camera settings to visually see the grid as you take pictures. After practice, you will naturally begin to use the Rule of Thirds in your photos and take better travel photos.
Now, this is not to say NEVER CENTER YOUR PHOTOS! There is a time for centering your subject when you wish to create symmetry. But to generally achieve a more natural-looking photo, learn to use the Rule of Thirds.
17. Try Not to Have Objects Sprouting Out Of Your Subject’s Head
What?
Photography skills 101: If you look at the composition of your photo and notice that there is a flagpole or a sign or an architectural feature that extends smack above your subject’s head, have them move a little to the left or the right.
18. Use Natural Frames
Framing is a compositional technique in photography that draws the viewer’s eye to the most important feature in your photo and creates a frame around the subject. Using frames adds more dimension to your photo.
You can achieve this framing technique using windows and doors, an arched entryway, trees and bushes, a tunnel…even an umbrella.
Once you start finding objects that can create a framing effect, you’ll begin to see them everywhere.
19. Find Leading Lines as You Compose Your Photo
Using leading lines to take better travel photos is where you basically use lines from a feature in your photo to direct the viewer’s eye toward the main story, subject, or intent within the photo. Leading lines moves the attention from one element to another.
Examples of leading lines:
- Road
- Railroad tracks
- Fence
- Pathway
- Staircase
- An aisle in a church
- Bridge
- River
- Architectural feature
- The surf
>> Related: 25 Best Hikes in Colorado Near Denver
20. Shoot from a Creative Angle
The effort to take better travel photos may simply mean taking a picture from a different perspective. This may involve shooting up from a lower angle or looking down from a higher vantage point.
Move away from always trying to see your subject eye to eye. Crouch down to a child’s level, stand on your tiptoes, or hold your phone above the crowd to capture a new perspective.
If your children are playing at a play park, try standing under them as they climb the structure or above them as they as play below.
21. Try to Capture a Reflection
Some of the coolest photos come from capturing a reflection of your desired subject.
Did you know that some photographers travel with a water bottle for this very purpose? They create a puddle on the ground in front of an architectural tourist site and take a shot of the reflection in the water.
You can also look for reflections after a rain shower, in a river or body of water, or even in a pair of reflective sunglasses.
22. Focus on the Eyes
Think back to the Rule of Thirds compositional tip. An important point when photographing people is to make sure that the subject’s eye that is closest to you is on one of those points. That is where you camera focus should be as well.
Focusing on the eyes ensures that the viewer engages with the eyes, after all “the eyes are the window to the soul.”
23. Make Sure Your Focus is Spot On
How many times have you taken a picture only to find later that it is out of focus or focusing on the wrong thing? Practice. Practice. Practice.
24. Look for Contrasting Colors
If you are visiting the beach, wear a color that pops against the color of the ocean. If you are in the mountains, zoom back a little to capture some of the bright blue sky to add extra dimensions. Even fall color pops more with the contrast of a little blue in the sky.
Adventure Photography Skills to Take Better Travel Photos
25. Learn the Basics of Your Camera
If your goal is to improve your adventure photography skills AND take better travel photos, find a course that teaches the basic principles of photography. Find someone that teaches in a style that resonates with you.
Understanding ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed and how they all work together sometimes takes effort to wrap your head around.
Many professional photographers encourage you to get away from shooting in Auto Mode and “focus” on shooting in Manual Mode. That’s where understanding ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed is essential.
If you are traveling and moving from one scene to another, one tip is to shoot in Aperture Mode and let your camera figure out the Shutter Speed. This helps when you are on the go and want to be able to compose a shot quickly.
You can still achieve some nicely composed and focused shots.
Click to check out Live Snap Love’s “Auto to Awesome” Course to learn the basics
26. Practice
There’s nothing like good old fashioned practice to improve your skills over time. Practice on your family. Practice on your friends. Practice on inanimate objects in your garden. Practice with each trip you go on to take better travel photos and improve your photography skills.
Study photos that professionals have taken to discover the angles they shoot from, where they focus and how they use light to their advantage.
27. Take a Course to Learn the Features of Your Camera
If you are looking for a comprehensive course that starts at the beginning, Audrey Ann from Live Snap Love has some amazing photography courses to take.
PS. She offers some FREE cheat sheets too!
- Free Manual Mode Cheat Sheet
- Free Lightroom Starter Kit
- Free Aperture Cheat Sheet
- Free 90-Day Starter Kit
- Edit Like a Pro in Lightroom Classic
- Get Organized in Lightroom Classic
- Auto to Awesome
Want to learn more about these courses? Discover the 5 Best Travel Photography Courses for Beginners.
28. Study Other Photographers
One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to study other photographers.
Follow some of your favorite photographers on Instagram and discover the Instagrammable places they shoot around the world. If you know you will be traveling to the dreamy villages outside of Florence, see what others take pictures of.
- What time of day did they take the picture?
- Did they stand from above or below?
- Did they include people in their photograph?
- What creative angle did they use?
29. Research Instagrammable Places in Advance
If you spend time on social media or Pinterest, begin to take note of particular destinations and the Instagrammable places where people take pictures. Search for “Instagrammable places of…“
Captions for Travel Photos
Once you have captured the best travel photos, you may wish to post them on Instagram. Here are a variety of posts showcasing the best captions for travel photos:
- 75 Romantic Instagram Quotes for Couples Who Love to Travel
- 70 Inspiring Instagram Captions for Travel
- 65 Awesome Travel Quotes for Instagram
- 300+ Instagram Content and Travel Caption Ideas for Bloggers
10 Captions for Travel Photos that Combine Photography and Travel:
- “You can always take a great photo—no matter what the conditions.” – Steve Davey
- “The whole point of taking pictures is so you don’t have to explain things in words.” – Elliott Erwitt
- “Travel photography is really a way of life: a way of traveling.” – Steve Davey
- “Having a camera around your neck gives you a good excuse to be nosy.” – Martin Parr
- “The most valuable things in life are a man’s memories. And they are priceless.” – Andre Kertesz
- “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
- “I think of myself as an explorer who has spent his life on a long voyage of discovery.” – Paul Strand
- “Never stop looking, no matter where you are, everywhere there are good photographs.” – Art Wolf
- “If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff.” – Jim Richardson
- “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
30. Book a Photography Tour
There are plenty of walking tours around the world, and many have options for photography tours as well.
My Favorite Camera Equipment
Camera
If you spend any time on social media, you may encounter people who are passionate about their brand of camera. There has long been a debate about which camera brand is the best—Sony, Canon, Nikon, etc.
The answer? Whatever camera you have with you!!!
Just remember, you don’t have to travel with ALL of your photography equipment. Pack lightly. Take only the essentials. That may mean your camera body and one possibly two versatile lenses and a few accessories. Here are a few ideas for you to consider.
Lenses
A go-to lens for the Canon T8i is the Canon EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 with image stabilization. It is perfect for all of your domestic AND international adventures. The Canon T8i (in the Canon Rebel Line) is a perfect beginner’s camera.
If your skills have improved and you are looking to upgrade from a T-series camera to a Canon 6D Mark II or similar DSLR, note that you will also need to upgrade your lenses from the EF-S line to the EF lenses such as this lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
Upgrading is an important consideration, as the photography hobby comes with some expensive photography gadgets and equipment!
The good news, the relatively inexpensive Canon “nifty fifty” lens—an EF lens—works with both camera bodies. (Be sure to pick the nifty fifty lens suited to your brand of camera).
Phone
Nowadays, with the advances in smartphone camera technology, the best camera might just be in your back pocket!
Beyond the “phone” capabilities, the travel apps, and having the ability to search for anything under the sun, your smartphone is perfect when you travel for the photography moments when you need to snap something quick, when the lighting is low, or you just want a back up to your camera shots.
Selfie Stick
If your first inclination is to proclaim, <GASP> “Never!”, think again.
Don’t be so quick to rule out a selfie stick, especially if traveling solo is your gig.
There are tripods that are small and flexible for travel, but if you are traveling solo (or even with a group), you may wish to have the added benefit of the Fugetek selfie stick in your travel gear.
The selfie stick a handy gadget complete with an iPhone and Android compatible camera stand. The stick can extend in height with an easy click-in lock and comes with a removable remote for easy one-step operation. The tripod features non-skid feet for your selfie stick to become a stand alone device.
Remote
The Canon Wireless Remote Control is a handy photography gadget that is lightweight and small. It allows you to take “selfies” with your DSLR!
Or, if your hands are full holding reflectors or if you are using a tripod, you can easily set up your camera on the remote setting and enable the remote control.
There is a specific camera setting!
Don’t forget to change the setting on your camera!
Filters
There is a debate in the photography community as to the need or value of Lens Filters. For certain types of photography, filters are essential in achieving a specific look and feel to your photos.
A UV Protected Lens Filter can be a protection to your more expensive lenses.
Be sure to purchase the correct size of filter for your lens.
Lens Hood
While you often hear about the “golden hours” in photography, it isn’t always practical to only shoot at the first light of the morning or in the waning hours of the evening for the best light.
As you travel, you are shooting and sightseeing all day long and need to account for the sun as best you can. A Lens Hood can help you to take better travel photos during the daytime hours.
The lens hood blocks the direct sunlight from hitting the lens and allows you to take better travel photos in the bright light of the day.
Again, be sure to purchase the correct size for your lens.
Extra Memory Card
Be sure to have sufficient memory in your SD Cards. If your travel extends for an extended length of time, invest in a card with enough space for all of your vacation photos.
Having a backup card isn’t a bad idea either.
Camera Battery & Charger
Not only should you have a back up SD card as part of your photography gadgets, but having a back up Camera Battery along with your Battery Charger is a good idea.
Waterproof BackPack Cover
An improvised backpack rain cover fashioned from plastic bags may work to cover your backpack and keep your camera and photography gadgets dry in a pinch. Invest in a Waterproof Backpack Covers for future rainy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a great travel photo?
Anyone can take a nice picture of the Eiffel tower. To elevate your photography skills and take great travel photos, you will need great light and excellent composition. Learn those skills to give your photography skills an edge.
What is a good quote of traveling and photography?
“Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter. ” ~ Ansel Adams
Is a smartphone good for travel and adventure photography?
Yes. Your iPhone may just be your best travel camera. “While the image resolution and quality might be higher on a DSLR or other high-end camera, the iPhone wins hands-down on portability and convenience.” iPhonephotographyschool.com
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Final Thoughts on 30 Travel Photography Tips to Take Better Travel Photos and Look Good in Them Too!
This is a brief overview of how to take better travel photos. The key, really, is to practice, practice, practice.
There is so much more to learn if you wish to master the features of your camera, and especially to move away from shooting in Auto.
All in the hopes that you will be able to take better travel photos.
And when you arrive home from your excursions, find creative ways to display the amazing photos you took on vacation.
Great tips! I definitely try to avoid popular spots at popular times, because I am definitely not an expert at editing people out of my photos. I also really would like to start taking photos with a camera and not just a smart phone, I think that’s a great way to step up my photography game!
This is a super helpful guide! I try to use a lot of these techniques when I take photos too, but you also taught me something new with the use of the grid on your phone camera – great idea! I also swear by my selfie stick/tripod; it really comes in handy for those couple shots. Xx Sara
This is such a useful guide! I definitely need to work on my patience more as I’m not an expert at removing people from shots with software. Even using a grid, I always end up with focal points in the centre, but I guess that takes practice to break that habit. Also, love the tip on the lighting shadow direction!
Great tips Jolayne! I agree with all of these – and above all, be patient haha! Avoiding group tours is another big one for me, where possible! I’m a huge fan of Adobe Lightroom for editing. Thanks for sharing!
Patience is a virtue, especially when traveling.
Interesting idea to use the grid to take photos! Patience is definitely key when you’re trying to get photos in busy spots. We always get at least one person walking into the photo who doesn’t seem to notice we’re taking photos.
This is a fantastic post! I think so many of us are looking to up our photography game and guides like this definitely help 🙂
Thanks so much. I know I can always use helpful tips.
These are some great tips! I’m always looking to take better travel photos so I’ll be sure to test out your suggestions! And it is a good reminder that I need to spend some time getting to know my new camera too! So far it is stuck on manual mode! Thanks for the great guide!
Love all these tips! I use the Grid on iPhone camera all the time – it really helps!
It is pretty handy even if it is just a reminder.
I wished I could just ask people to move aside sometimes, but I’m so socially awkward I almost always NEVER say anything hahahah.. I like the tip about just working them into your composition though! Definitely a creative alternative way to just make the situation work for you and I’m gonna keep that positive attitude with me the next time I’m out there!
These are some great tips! I always try to get to touristy spots during off-times exactly for this purpose. I’m not a professional photographer but I can at least try to not have a bunch of people in my pictures haha
So many great photo travel tips! I especially like the ones for take better photos of yourself!
So sorry for your loss. Keep practicing on the photography and editing and you will find improvement.
A really comprehensive post, very useful. I’ve definitely suffered from photo frustration, where my mind- and even my eye- can see the capture I want but I can’t master my camera/ timing/ settings to quite get it. Practice for progress, I suppose!
On a different note, I’m glad to see the humble selfie stick getting a mention. I think they got a bad reputation at one point but used with consideration- a great tool.
WOW! This is a very comprehensive list with tons of great advice. Would be useful for everyone regardless of their skill level.
These are some great tips! I especially like the ideas for posing and wearing colors that pop.
We all want to look fantastic in our pics right?
Great tips! I am a big fan of avoiding crowds and shooting early in the morning when possible. I also love the idea of wearing items that pop – it’s great to think about contrast when shooting.
Haha i love the bit about be patient, but also simply ask people to move. So true!
Patience is a virtue as a photographer.
This guide was SO helpful! Thank you! I really appreciated the tip about shadows.
Thanks. I always love to learn more about photography.
Wait, you mean people DON’T like to see things coming out of their heads in photos?! Just kidding, but truly, that was a tip that I used to never think about, LOL! Great ideas, and beautiful photos.
Wow! Some great tips here. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much.
I love your photos! I have to start using my selfie stick!
Thanks. I am photography junkie. Just can’t help myself.
Love this post! I love taking photos and slowly but surely getting better at doing so over the years has been so rewarding. Great read <3
I like the rule of thirds– I have started using this recently and the composition is so much better!
It is where you eye tends to focus
Thanks for these helpful tips, Jolayne! Will have to try putting some of them into practice ?
Lots of great advice. I love taking photos when I’m traveling, I just need to practice with not making them on auto. We had the general Sherman tree without others since we visited at the end of April. There was another couple and we took pictures of them and they of us.
Very useful guide as I have a trip coming up! I was especially interested in the lens you recommended. Thanks!
Very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing your favorite camera equipment. That’s very helpful!
Great tips. We are constantly taking blurry pictures while running. Advice for being patient is definitely key.
Great Post! I bought myself a camera as a Christmas present a few years ago and I’m scared to death of it. So many settings to navigate through. I definitely need to take a class to get some of the basics down. Lots of great information here. Thank you!
Really some great and some easy-to-implement tips in this post! Thank you for putting this together.
Great post. Mastering photography is on my to-do list.
So many great tips here! And I definitely need to start practicing how to take better photos of myself, LOL!
Great and detailed post. This will definitely help our followers!
Great post! Definitely will give this a closer read later. I consider myself a decent amateur photographer, so really appreciate all the info and great tips!
You have some lovely photos on this post. I find these tips very useful and will try to remember them the next I am out and about. Thanks for sharing!