How to get travel photography magic

One of my favourite things to do while in a new country is to take in the atmosphere while photographing it. I tend to walk to a destination in mind but aimlessly walk there checking out interesting cafes, streets, sweet treats, architecture and things I don’t know to expect. I really enjoy travel photography as it not only enhances my travel experiences but also leaves me with tangible memories of my trips.

When I find a cool and interesting area, or light or “something about this” place, I stop for a while. If there are stairs, or a café with outdoor seating, I take a seat, if there is nowhere to sit, I usually plunk myself against a wall, where I would like to take the photo and wait….I wait to take in the atmosphere, to be present, to remember the feeling and to capture the perfect moment on my camera. Focusing on travel photography helps me to really take in a destination.

Without being rushed to take the photo, you have control of what is in your image. You may be waiting for the light to be just right, or for people to move out of the frame you want to take, or you may be waiting for that “perfect person who represents someone who lives here” to walk into your frame. It doesn’t usually happen immediately so waiting for that magical moment to appear will make your photos all that more interesting and professional looking.

So remember to slow down and take your time while you are exploring. You are on your own time schedule…and usually the best things happen when you don’t plan them.

Want more tips to up your travel photography game?

The team at Launch Your Travels can help you improve your photography skills with our Art of Photography course. Learn the secrets professional photographers use to create amazing travel photos. We focus on camera phones and tablets (Need help choosing one? Check out this article about the best phones for photography in 2020), but a lot of the course teaches you techniques that are useful for any camera you may use. Take the course now so you are ready to capture all those great moments on your next adventure!