How to Be a Better Travel Photographer in 2025

Together with our friends at Sony, we at Culture Trip have put together some basic tips on how to make the most of your photography without worrying too much about the technical side of things, ensuring your travel snaps will properly capture the amazing sights of whichever incredible destination you happen to be in.

This guide contains some really simple techniques you can rely on, if you want to take your photography to the next level.

Planning ahead for your trip offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance the quality of your photos.

By checking the best times to visit and any potential restrictions, you can ensure optimal lighting conditions and avoid any unexpected closures or limitations. Identifying the best places to shoot allows you to maximise your time and capture the most iconic and picturesque locations as best as you can.

Choosing accommodation in the right locations ensures you’re always close to the action, reducing travel time and allowing for spontaneous photo opportunities. With careful planning, you can make the most of your trip and return home with stunning images that truly capture the essence of your journey.

Looking at any landmarks or any sightseeing hotspots you might be planning on visiting on Google Maps street view ahead of your visit is a great way for you to look for any potential vantage points or spots to help you frame your subject and know exactly what it’ll look like when you arrive.

It’s great to plan ahead for your photography trip, but it can be just as important to stay flexible and adapt to changing conditions. Weather can be unpredictable, and you might discover unexpected opportunities once you arrive at your destination. Some of the best travel photos come from spontaneous moments, particularly those involving nature and wildlife. Allowing sufficient time in your schedule is crucial, as it gives you the freedom to explore and capture those unplanned, yet memorable, shots, or to remain patient and wait for the perfect moment.

Enhance your travel photos by paying attention to composition. Use the rule of thirds, which involves dividing your frame into nine equal squares, to place your subject off-center for a more balanced and interesting shot, instead of having it right in the centre every single time.

Look for leading lines, such as roads or pathways, to guide the viewer’s eye through the image. Do not let a rainy day ruin your creativity, lay low and look for reflections. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different perspectives and angles and look at the surroundings and see how you can incorporate them into the photo to improve the overall picture.

Travel light by packing only the essential camera gear. Bring a versatile lens that covers a range of focal lengths, such as a 24-70mm lens. Carry extra batteries and memory cards to ensure you don’t miss any moments. A lightweight tripod or a compact gimbal can be invaluable for stable shots without adding too much weight to your bag.

For travel creators, the ability to upload photos and videos directly to the cloud straight from cameras is a game-changer. Apps like Sony’s Creators’ app allows you to connect your camera to your phone and store your content quickly and efficiently, ensuring that it’s safe and accessible from anywhere. The ability to automatically transfer pictures to apps like Adobe Lightroom and Google Drive make editing and sharing simpler than ever before.

Additionally, the ability to transfer footage while shooting is invaluable for travel creators who are always on the move. This feature allows you to continue capturing content without interruption, ensuring you never miss a crucial moment.

Finally, by linking your smartphone to your camera, you can control them remotely, which can be useful for group shots or keeping cameras still in night scenes. You can also easily check your camera’s battery and media information, set the date, time, or camera name, and more.

For architectural photography, a wide-angle lens allows photographers to encompass the true scale of buildings, even in tight spaces. It helps to highlight how imposing structures are, revealing how impressive it is to be stood in front of them.

In wild landscapes, a wide-angle lens captures the vastness and majesty of natural scenes, from sweeping mountain ranges to expansive beaches. This lens type enhances the sense of depth and space, providing viewers with a more immersive and captivating visual experience.

For food photography, a macro lens, used for extreme close-ups, allows photographers to capture the finer details of their subjects, highlighting the intricacies and textures of dishes. This can make the food appear more appetising and visually appealing, capturing the viewer’s attention with vivid zoomed in shots.

When exploring exotic locations, a macro lens can reveal the hidden beauty in small details, such as the intricate patterns on a leaf, the texture of a rock, or the delicate features of an insect. This lens type enables photographers to showcase the often-overlooked aspects of their surroundings, adding extra, more interesting elements to their pictures.

Traveling during the off-season can be a game-changer for photographers. Not only is it more affordable, but it also means fewer tourists at hotspots, making it easier to capture those perfect shots without the hustle and bustle. The shoulder months often still boast great weather as well, providing ideal conditions for your photography adventures.

Did you know there are four times more #sunset photos on Instagram than #sunrise shots? The reason is simple: most people prefer to stay in bed. By dragging yourself out of bed just 10 minutes before first light, you’ll often be rewarded with a serene, empty beach and the most beautiful, soft light of the day. It’s a small effort for a big payoff in your photos.

While Google and social media are handy tools for research, nothing beats the insider knowledge of a local. Don’t hesitate to ask for tips on the best photo spots—they often love to share their favourite spots that visitors or guidebooks might not know about. This personal touch can lead to you uncovering unique locations that you might not find online.