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How to Take Great Travel Photos: 11 Expert Tips

3 Jun 2025 | 11 min read

How to Take Great Travel Photos: 11 Expert Tips

Struggling to capture your travel experiences? Those breathtaking and vibrant views often end up looking nothing like what you saw with your own eyes.

We know how frustrating it is when your photos fail to convey the wonder you felt in the moment.

Luckily, learning how to take great travel photos doesn't require professional equipment or years of training. All you need to transform ordinary vacation snapshots into stunning visual stories is the right techniques and preparation.

And we’re here to teach you all about it. Let’s dive in!

Why Travel Photography Matters

Travel photos do more than just prove you were somewhere – they preserve moments and feelings that might otherwise fade from memory. This way, you can share authentic experiences with friends and family in a way that words alone cannot capture.

These visual memories also become valuable assets for creating personalized photo books, wall calendars, or custom prints that bring your adventures to life in your everyday space.

When you learn how to take great travel photos, you're investing in memories that continue to bring joy long after your suitcase is unpacked.

Find out everything you need to know about choosing the best size, cover, and paper type for your photo book!

Preparing for Travel Photography Success

Great travel photos start before you even pack your bags. A little preparation goes a long way toward capturing memorable shots.

Here's what you'll need for your photography journey:

Camera choice. While professional cameras offer more control, today's smartphones can capture stunning images too.
Backup storage. Bring extra memory cards or cloud storage options to avoid losing precious photos.
Basic accessories. A small tripod, lens cleaning cloth, and portable charger can save the day.

You might also want to consider these quick planning tips before you depart:

Check sunrise/sunset times for golden hour lighting at key locations.
Save screenshots of iconic photo spots and angles from social media.
Download offline maps and mark photography hotspots before you arrive.

Making a photo calendar? Follow these tips to choose the best photos!

11 Expert Tips for Taking Stunning Travel Photos

Ready to elevate your travel photography from amateur snapshots to frame-worthy memories?

#1. Master the Golden Hours for Magical Lighting

A busy tourist attraction photographed during harsh midday sun can look flat and uninspiring. However, during golden hour, that same location can reveal rich textures and warm colors that capture the true feeling of being there.

Plan your photography sessions around these prime times:

Sunrise to about 1 hour after (morning golden hour)
1 hour before sunset until dusk (evening golden hour)

The "golden hour" light casts gentle shadows, adds dimension, and bathes everything in a flattering amber hue. With the soft, warm glow of early morning and late afternoon, you'll create high-quality shots.

#2. Move Beyond Auto Mode with Simple Camera Settings

Taking control of basic camera settings can dramatically improve your travel photos without getting too technical. Even smartphone cameras now offer simple settings that make a big difference.

Try these easy adjustments:

Portrait mode. Creates a pleasing blur behind your subject.
HDR setting. Captures detail in both bright and dark areas of high-contrast scenes.
Night mode. Allows for better low-light photography without flash.
Cloudy white balance. Adds warmth to images on overcast days.
Macro mode. Captures stunning close-ups of food, flowers, or cultural details.

#3. Use the Rule of Thirds for Balanced Compositions

The rule of thirds divides your frame into a 3×3 grid (like a tic-tac-toe board). Placing key elements along these lines or at their intersections creates a better harmony than simply centering everything.

Apply this principle across various travel subjects:

Landscapes. Place the horizon along the top or bottom third line, not in the middle.
Architecture. Position buildings or doorways along vertical lines.
Portraits. Align your subject's eyes with the top third line.
Street scenes. Position key elements at grid intersections for visual interest.

#4. Find Unique Perspectives to Avoid Tourist Clichés

Everyone has seen the standard postcard shot of famous landmarks. Stand out by finding fresh angles and perspectives that show these places in a new light.

Try these approaches to create unique travel photos:

Get down low to photograph architecture against dramatic skies.
Climb to higher vantage points for bird's-eye views of street scenes.
Step away from the main viewing area to find less crowded, interesting angles.
Include local elements that tell a more authentic story about the location.
Photograph reflections in water, windows, or other surfaces for creative compositions.

#5. Include People for Scale and Storytelling

Adding people to your travel photos instantly creates a narrative and makes your pics more personal.

Consider these techniques to take captivating photos of people during your travels:

Ask a travel companion to stand naturally in the scene rather than posing stiffly for the camera.
Capture locals engaged in everyday activities for authentic cultural documentation. However, always request permission when photographing specific individuals rather than general street scenes. Even if there’s a language barrier, as long as you smile and gesture with your camera, people will understand.
Include just a part of a person (like their hands working on a craft) to add human interest without making them the main subject.

#6. Focus on Cultural Details and Local Life

The soul of a destination often lies in the details – the patterns in traditional textiles, the weathered hands of a craftsperson, or the vibrant colors of a local market. These close-up cultural shots add more depth and authenticity to your travel photography collection.

Seek out these meaningful details to capture:

Bustling local markets where everyday life unfolds naturally.
Traditional craftsmanship that shows unique regional techniques.
Food preparation that reveals cultural customs and specialties.
Weathered textures that tell stories of place and time.

Detail shots help you tell a complete story of your journey when creating travel photo books or vacation albums.

#7. Create Depth in Your Landscape Photos

Flat, one-dimensional landscape photos rarely capture what made a scene impressive in person.

Use these advanced techniques to add dimension to your landscapes:

Include interesting foreground elements (rocks, flowers, branches) to frame your main subject.
Look for natural leading lines like paths, rivers, or fences that draw the eye into the scene.
Position yourself where overlapping elements create distinct foreground, middle ground, and background layers.

#8. Capture the Flavor of Your Destination with Food Photography

Local cuisine is an essential part of the travel experience, and appetizing food photos can evoke powerful memories. From street food to fine dining, these delicious snapshots complete the picture of your journey.

Follow these tips for mouthwatering food photography:

Seek natural light whenever possible, ideally sitting near windows in restaurants.
Shoot from slightly above for the most flattering angle of most dishes.
Focus on authentic local specialties rather than generic meals you could find anywhere.
Include human elements like hands holding street food or the cook in action for storytelling.
Capture the setting and ambiance, not just the plate, to provide cultural context.

#9. Embrace Challenging Weather Conditions

Unpredictable weather can transform ordinary locations into extraordinary photo opportunities. Instead of staying indoors when conditions aren't perfect, learn to work with different lighting situations to create images with unique moods.

Here's how to make the most of various weather conditions:

Harsh midday sun. While challenging, bright daylight provides plenty of light for fast shutter speeds to freeze action. Try converting to black and white to emphasize shapes and textures. Use a neutral density (ND) filter for creative long exposures in bright conditions.
Clear blue skies. When there are no clouds, focus on your main subject and minimize the empty sky in the frame. Position the sun just behind buildings or monuments and use a small aperture (f/16 or higher) to create a striking effect.
Overcast days. Cloudy skies create soft, even lighting perfect for portraits, forests, and flower photography. Colors appear richer and more saturated without harsh shadows.
Rainy conditions. Rain creates magical elements like reflections, glistening surfaces, and atmospheric mist. Urban scenes transform with puddles that mirror colorful lights and architecture. Pack a simple rain cover for your camera and look for contrast between colorful subjects (umbrellas, neon signs) and the moody gray environment.
Fog and mist. Misty conditions transform ordinary landscapes into ethereal scenes. Landmarks emerging from fog create dramatic, emotional images impossible to capture on clear days. Fog creates silhouettes and layers that add incredible dimension to otherwise simple compositions.

Remember that "bad" weather often creates more memorable, unique photos than perfect sunny days that look like every postcard you've ever seen.

#10. Learn Basic Editing to Enhance Your Travel Photos

Even the best photos usually need a few simple adjustments that take them from good to great.

Focus on these simple enhancements:

Adjust brightness and contrast to bring out details hidden in shadows or highlights.
Correct white balance to fix color casts from artificial lighting or extreme weather conditions.
Crop photos to improve composition or remove distracting elements at the edges.
Apply subtle saturation adjustments to make colors pop without looking unnatural.
Create a consistent look across your travel collection by using similar editing settings.

Mixbook's intuitive editing tools make these adjustments simple when you're creating travel photo books or calendars. This way, you can have perfect images without complicated software.

#11. Tell a Complete Story of Your Journey

The most compelling travel photo collections include a variety of images that work together to tell the complete story of your adventure.

Include these elements for a well-rounded travel story:

Scene-setting wide shots that establish the location and overall atmosphere.
Mid-range photos showing activities, interactions, and experiences.
Close-up detail shots of cultural elements, food, architecture, and natural textures.
Candid moments that capture the emotions and unexpected delights of travel.
"Transition" images showing transportation or journeys between destinations.

When planning a photo album, arrange images to create a narrative flow that takes viewers on a journey through your experiences

Read our article and learn how to get started with Mixbook!

5 Ways to Bring Your Travel Photos to Life with Custom Photo Products

Your amazing travel photos deserve to be in the spotlight.

Here’s how you can make them part of your space:

#1. Travel Photo Book

A custom travel photo book transforms your scattered vacation photos into a cohesive story you can flip through many years later. Unlike scrolling through hundreds of digital images, a physical book lets you curate your best moments and arrange them in a way that tells the complete story of your journey.

Creating your travel photo book is simpler than you might expect. Here's how to get started:

Collect your photos. Gather all your travel images in one folder on your device to make the design process smoother.
Select your favorites. Pick sharp, compelling images that tell your travel story, eliminating blurry shots and duplicates.
Explore design options. Browse Mixbook's travel-themed templates or begin with a blank layout for complete creative control.
Upload your images. Import photos from your computer, phone, social media accounts, or cloud storage platforms.
Customize your book. Organize your photos, choose matching backgrounds, write meaningful captions, and add decorative touches.
Preview and finalize. Review your complete book carefully, checking layouts and text before placing your order.

#2. Home Decor Prints

Turn your favorite travel moments into stunning wall art to enhance your everyday space. A dramatic landscape from your hiking adventure or a vibrant street scene can be a daily reminder of incredible experiences.

Choose prints that complement your home's style:

Canvas prints for a gallery-like feel that works well with colorful, artistic shots.
Metal prints for modern spaces, especially effective with high-contrast architectural or landscape photos.
Poster prints for versatile options that suit any decor style and budget.

#3. Travel Photo Calendar

A custom photo calendar keeps your travel memories visible all year while serving a practical purpose.

You can use seasonal photos to match the calendar months – beach scenes for summer, autumn landscapes for fall, or cozy indoor shots for winter months.

Making your travel calendar is easy with Mixbook. Here's the process:

Sort your images. Organize travel photos by destination or month, selecting high-quality shots that capture meaningful moments from your adventures.
Select your layout. Choose how many photos you want per month and their arrangement – single large images, collages, or mixed designs.
Pick a format and size. Select calendar dimensions that showcase your shots best. Landscape works well for panoramas, while portrait highlights vertical scenes.
Upload and arrange. Import your chosen images and arrange them thoughtfully, balancing busy and simple photos for visual flow.
Customize backgrounds. Choose colors or patterns that complement your photos without overwhelming them, maintaining consistency across months.
Add decorative touches. Include borders, stickers, or themed graphics that enhance your travel images.
Include text details. Add location names, dates, or travel stories, plus mark important personal dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
Review and order. Check each page for proper cropping, readable text, and overall appearance before finalizing your personalized calendar.

#4. Vacation Greeting Cards

Custom greeting cards featuring your travel photos make unique, personal gifts that friends and family will want to keep. Instead of generic store-bought cards, your vacation shots add a touch of personality.

Create holiday cards with festive travel moments, birthday cards featuring shared memories, or "wish you were here" postcards from your adventures. Recipients will get a glimpse into your travels while receiving something truly one-of-a-kind.

#5. Custom Magnets

Skip the generic souvenir shop magnets and create personalized ones featuring your travel photography. Custom magnets are practical, affordable, and let you showcase multiple favorite moments on your refrigerator or office space.

Choose a variety of images to create a collection:

Iconic landmarks from different destinations.
Food photos from memorable meals.
Candid moments with travel companions.
Cultural details that capture the essence of each place.

These small keepsakes make great gifts for fellow travelers or family members who couldn't join the trip.

Looking for more ideas? Why don’t you turn your travel photos into a stunning coffee table book?

Conclusion

The best travel photos are the ones that get seen and shared, not buried in phone galleries, so start practicing these tips on your next adventure. When you're ready to showcase those stunning shots, Mixbook's easy-to-use design tools and high-quality printing will help you create beautiful keepsakes that do your travels justice!