Here are 7 pieces of travel photography advice from people who have achieved their dream.
Here at WTP, we like to show people how they can lose the 9-5 and achieve their dream of becoming location independent through travel photography.
We are always saying how it’s not impossible to find travel photography jobs; it’s hard work, but not impossible.
Sometimes you need a little inspiration to motivate yourself to push through the hard times, the hard work and the downright terrifying thought of putting yourself and your work out there in front of the whole world to see.
Well, we contacted 7 of the most inspiring photographers and video makers we can think of and asked them what their one piece of travel photography advice would be for anyone brave enough to go after what they really want out of life.
These were their answers.
Thomas Heaton
Thomas Heaton is without a doubt one of the most successful landscape photographers on Youtube. His passion and methodical approach are infectious, and his videos are both inspiring and educational in equal measures.
Here’s what he said:
“Look closer. The world’s most magnificent vistas are awe-inspiring, but they can also distract from hidden beauty.”
“After you have captured the ‘Hero’ shot, take time to observe and look closer at the landscape around you as it is these hidden gems that often tell the real story of an Instagram location and what it is like to be there and experience it.”
You can also find Thomas on Twitter, Facebook & his website.
Fel and Wes (Feather and the Wind)
Fel and Wes are a couple from Canada who travel the world making travel videos for both their own Youtube channel and as freelance videographers/video editors.
They said:
“Finished is better than perfect. Whether it’s a photo or video, you’re not giving yourself a chance to make progress until you complete the edit and hit that publish button.”
“A lot of the time we get in our own way because we’re afraid to fail, but once you really strive to improve with every single upload, you’re bound to be successful. And even the most expensive setup can’t help you get there until you know how to use it.”
Don’t forget to check out their Twitter, Facebook & blog.
Jeven Dovey
Jeven is another travelling filmmaker. He travels with his wife Rachel Dovey creating cinematic masterpieces and showing you how to do the same through his Youtube channel.
His travel photography advice is:
One of the biggest things I’ve learned through traveling the world and building a following on social media is to put the camera down. As travel photographers, we always get so caught up with trying to always get the best photo possible.”
“However, I’ve found that you need to experience a culture and be present to genuinely capture the moment. Once you’ve been able to step away from the camera you’ll be able to see a place with new eyes and from this, you’ll be able to take some amazing photos.”
Andy Mumford
Andy is a Fujifilm brand ambassador and a passionate teacher of photography. He runs various workshops in countries around the globe as well as teaching through his channel.
This is what Andy told us:
“Whenever we travel to a new destination to take images it’s impossible to arrive without some form of expectation of what kind of shots we’ll get there. Sometimes you may have a particular shot in mind, or a particular feel for what you want to capture, but it’s important to not let this influence the way that you see a new place.”
“It’s easy to be so busy looking for the image that we’d planned to take before arriving there that we miss other, maybe even better, opportunities for images that happen right in front of us. While it is important to plan, it has to be balanced with an awareness that arriving in a place with strong pre-conceptions can actually influence the way we see it and prevent us from seeing all the different possibilities and opportunities for photography that exist outside of the expectations we had before we got there.”
“Over the years I’ve been travelling I’ve come to the conclusion that my favourite images from a trip are never the ones that I expected or planned to shoot before going there.”
For more info about Andy and his workshops visit his website or Facebook Page.
Chris Eyre-Walker
Born in Belgium, but often based in Sydney when he’s not travelling, Chris is a travel and adventure photographer with a passion for the outdoors. He is an Olympus ambassador and a finalist of the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
His travel photography advice is:
“My main advice would be to not forget to enjoy the trip too. I know it’s not exactly a photography tip, but I’ve gone on trips where entire chunks are just a very blurred memory because I was constantly holding a camera to my face.”
“Sometimes it’s also good to put the camera down, sit back, relax and enjoy the unique place you’ve travelled to and create a real memory.”
Say hi to him from us on Twitter, Facebook & his website.
Nigel Danson
Nigel is a landscape photographer from the UK who has a passion for the outdoors and in his own words “aims is to inspire with landscape photography tips and techniques”. Watch one of his down-to-earth tutorials that are bound to inspire you below.
His advice is directed at people who are looking to turn photography into a way of making a living:
“The most important thing in making a living from photography is to develop a style and stick to it, then work hard to promote your beliefs. The harder you work the more chance of success you have.”
You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter and of course his website.
Mitchell Kanashkevich
Mitchell is a professional travel/documentary photographer and also a Panasonic Lumix Ambassador. He has a unique style and a great ability to document people’s daily lives, which you can get a taste of by scrolling through his Instagram page.
His advice is:
“One of the most important qualities for a travel/documentary photographer is an insatiable sense of curiosity.”
“Show that you’re genuinely interested in people and they will let you into their lives. Your camera and your sense of curiosity become your passport to countless worlds.”
Also, check out his Facebook page and website.
There you have it, travel photography advice from 7 pros
The overall tone is that becoming a successful travel photographer isn’t always done behind the camera. It’s about keeping an opening mind, taking a step back sometimes and seeing things that you would have otherwise missed.
Taking the first step, working hard and not being afraid to put yourself out there are all qualities you should aim to have if you want to achieve the dream of becoming location independent through travel photography. If you want to know more about becoming a professional travel photographer, check out this post about a typical travel photographer’s salary.
It’s within everyone, it’s within you, you just have to find it.
![Charlie Gardiner](https://worldoftravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Me-scaled.jpg)
I’m a professional travel photographer, and I’ve been living the digital nomad lifestyle since 2016. I make money by working on client assignments, selling stock photography and helping other photographers by sharing my experiences on this website. I move around at my own pace (I hate fast-paced travel) and like to spend a few months getting to know each place I base myself in.
My writing and photos have been featured on industry leading websites such as Digital Photography School, Atlas Obscura and the world’s leading underwater photography resource The Underwater Photography Guide. I authored an eBook called “Breaking Into Travel Photography: The complete guide to carving out a career in travel photography” that has been published on Amazon. My stock images have also appeared in ads promoting destinations and companies that sometimes has been a surprise, even to me. But I guess that’s the nature of stock photography, you never know who will license them!
I’m always happy to connect, so feel free to reach out!