7 Simple Tips to Transform Your Travel Photography (From Snapshots to Stories)
If you love travel photography, you're probably chasing that feeling of capturing moments that tell genuine stories. But too often, we return from amazing trips, scroll through hundreds of photos, and feel like something's missing. The places were gorgeous, the experiences were special, but the photos don't evoke the same feeling we remembered.
Today, I'm sharing 7 powerful tips that will transform your travel photography. After taking well over a million photos since 2007, 18 years ago, and traveling across 6 continents, I've learned what truly makes the difference between ordinary snapshots and images that are compelling.
1. Select The Best Subject For Any Given Light
The mistake:
Only shooting during "perfect" golden hour light.
The solution:
Learn which light works best for different subjects.
Harsh midday sun might be terrible for portraits, but it makes architecture pop with vibrant colors and creates stunning turquoise beach water.
Meanwhile, golden hour flatters almost everything—people, landscapes, and buildings alike.
If you're traveling with family and short on time, focus on golden hour shooting. You can capture beautiful landscapes even without a tripod during these magical moments.
The key is adapting to available light and knowing which subjects shine in different conditions.
2. Stop Wasting Space on Empty Sky
The mistake:
Including too much boring, cloudless sky in your compositions.
The solution:
If the sky doesn't add to your story, minimize it.
Try these quick fixes:
👉 Get closer to your subject or shoot from a higher angle
👉 Look for natural framing elements like tree branches or foreground objects
The above photo was taken at Venice, Italy. It was probably the most crowded place I’ve traveled to in recently years. I had double challenge to photograph the iconic Basilica Di Santa Maria della Salute - the big crowd and the scaffold due to its renovation. The above angle was one of my many attempts. Click the link and read more about our Venice trip.
👉 Switch from vertical to horizontal orientation
👉 Change your perspective entirely
Ford Warden Historic State Park, Washington
Remember: every element in your frame should contribute to the story. If it doesn't add value, reduce it.
3. Use Burst Mode Strategically (Less is More)
The mistake:
Spraying and praying with high-speed burst mode for everything.
The solution:
Use selective, low-speed burst (3-5 fps) for most travel moments.
Unless you're photographing fast action, mid or low burst mode captures what you need without creating hundreds of nearly identical images. This keeps you present during your travels instead of spending hours deleting duplicates later.
Look at the above set of photos I took at Kotor Bay, Montenegro. Which one is your favorite? Although both the 2nd and 3rd highlighted my son, I love the 3rd one better due to his posture.
4. Capture Stories, Not Just Smiles
The powerful shift: Focus on authentic moments rather than posed faces.
Some of the most compelling travel images don't show faces at all—they capture gestures, connections, and genuine interactions with places.
Instead of directing "stand there and smile," photograph people:
👉 Exploring and discovering
👉 Reacting naturally to their environment
👉 Interacting with local culture
👉 Experiencing genuine moments
This approach creates more emotional, memorable images while being easier for everyone involved.
5. Create Color Harmony in 3 Simple Steps
Transform your compositions with better color choices:
👉 Dress for success: Have subjects wear simple, solid colors that stand out against the environment
👉 Simplify backgrounds: Look for scenes with limited color palettes or position subjects to minimize competing colors
👉 Follow the 2-3 color rule: Fill your frame with no more than 2-3 colors at a time
Less color complexity naturally guides the viewer's eye to what matters most.
The above photos, from left to right, were taken in Cappadocia and Istanbul, Turkey, Rome Italy, and Dubrovnik Croatia. Click on the links and read my favorite photo spots of these locations.
6. Understand What Gear Actually Matters
The truth about photography equipment:
Your camera body matters less than you think—it's the lens that dramatically impacts your style. A versatile 24-70mm f/2.8 handles most travel scenarios well, from landscapes to portraits. Read what was in my camera bag for our 5-month Europe Trip.
One upgrade worth considering: If you photograph people often, mirrorless cameras with eye autofocus can be game-changing. This feature tracks and maintains focus on your subject's eyes, letting you concentrate on composition and timing.
But remember: even the most expensive gear won't create compelling images without the right skills and vision.
7. Get It Right in Camera (Stop Relying on "Fix It Later")
The dangerous mindset:
"I'll just fix it in Lightroom."
What you can't fix in post:
👉 Poor composition and awkward framing
👉 Missed focus and motion blur
👉 Blinking or unflattering expressions
👉 Completely missed moments
While you can adjust exposure and white balance in editing, it's far more efficient to capture these elements correctly from the start. Great editing begins with a great file.
Focus on nailing exposure, composition, and focus in-camera first—you'll create better images and save hours in post-processing.
Start Capturing Travel Photos You're Proud Of
These 7 tips will immediately improve your travel photography, helping you document experiences in a way that truly captures the emotion and story behind each moment.
Ready to dive deeper? Join my free masterclass, "Your WOW Shot Blueprint," where I'll walk you through my complete system for capturing authentic moments in any challenging condition.
Whether you're documenting family travels, cultural experiences, or everyday adventures, this approach works for all types of photography.
What's your biggest travel photography challenge? Share in the comments below—I'd love to help you work through it!
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