Tip one: Research
Once you have decided when and where your next desired travel destination will be, start your research by searching the agency’s collections that you associate with to see what they already have. Find out what types of images and locations are popular at your desired travel destination and where the gaps are in their content.
Tip Two: Preparation
Break your travel destination itinerary down by day, location, and sites you plan to visit. Create a list of specific scenes that you want to capture at each location. Include selected photo thumbnails and sketches in a carry-on visual diary.
Try to plan on visiting some locations at different times of the day when the light is the most flattering for that location according to the local sun path.
Tip Three: Shoot Wide, Medium and Close-Up
Shoot wide, medium, and close-up photos of your destination. Wide or long shots are great establishing shots.
Avoid shooting logos or modern artwork which requires a property release signed by the creator of the piece of art if your photos include recognizable people, ask them to sign a model release. Also, zoom in and focus with a macro lens on little details and interesting textures such as food or architectural elements.
Tip Four: Shoot different and Unusual Angles
Get creative and take the time to experiment, walk around, and get a feel for your subject place. Photography clients are always interested to see a famous landmark or location photographed in a new way.
Tip Five: Tell a Story
Do not just take random photographs of a location, think about the people and the place that you see unfolding before you and try to pass the feeling of them through your images and to your potential clients.
Photos with concepts and ideas are much more compelling than those that don’t and they are the ones that will sell, they will cover your trip expenses and will give you a steady passive income for years to come.
