From lighting and angles, to what to shoot on, these travel photography tips will make your pics Insta-worthy!
I love the way that phones have transformed the way we can capture special travel moments. You could be standing on a cobbled street in Florence, or watching an epic sunset in Mexico. You reach for your phone and you have that moment saved forever.
But then you get home, scroll through your gallery on the train back from the airport, and realise you didn’t nail it. The sky is a weird blown-out white, there’s a bright orange rubbish bin taking up half the foreground, and that majestic Italian cathedral looks like a tiny, tilted toy. You thought you got it… but now you’re questioning why you didn’t do a better job!
I’ve had plenty of these moments. They’re frustrating because the holiday felt so much better than it looks. But don’t fear! Travel photos don’t fail because you “don’t have an eye.” You just need to learn a few basic skills and your photos will step up a level.
I’m a firm believer that you don’t need an expensive camera or an array of camera lenses to take beautiful photos on your travels. You just need to engage your brain briefly!
If you’re keen to improve your snaps, here’s how to shoot like a pro on your adventures!
1. Stop Fighting the Sun (You Won’t Win)
If you can control only one thing on your trip, make it the clock. I used to be the person who tried to take beautiful landscape shots at midday under a scorching Mediterranean sun. The result? Harsh shadows that made everyone look like they hadn’t slept in a month and colours that looked washed out.
You’ve probably heard the expression ‘golden hour’ or ‘magic hour’. Well, there really are times that add a beautiful glow to your photos, and it’s usually early morning and late afternoon. The light is softer, it’s warmer, and it stretches across the pavement in a way that gives everything dimension. Alternatively, if you prefer a cinematic, moody glow to your photos, then set up your shots for ‘blue hour’ which is just after sunset.
Obviously, this can’t always work! Some times on your travels you’re only in a destination for a short time and you have to take the photo in full sun. I usually try to find some shady spots so, like a narrow alleyway, and use the shadows to my advantage. You can still achieve some amazing results.
2. The Secret Gear Hack: Travel Light, Shoot Heavy
There is a massive myth that you need a rucksack full of lenses to be a real photographer. I used to behave like this, but these days I’m just as happy with my phone in my hand.
Isn’t it amazing we can plan routes, book travel, find restaurants and shoot professional-grade 4K video all on one device? For me, that’s where a refurbished iPhone comes into play. Having a great phone camera makes all the difference. You’ll get that top-tier sensor and computational photography power without the huge price tag of a new phone. Back Market is well known in the
refurbished space, which suits travellers who want practicality and reliability while they shoot on the move.
3. The ‘Rule of Three’
A common mistake is taking 400 photos of the exact same landmark from the exact same angle. When you look back later, it feels like a repetitive scroll.
Instead, try the editorial trick used by magazine pros: The Triple Threat. For every location, try to capture:
- The Wide Shot: Establish the scene. Show us the scale of the Tuscan hills or how busy a Mexican beach is.
- The Mid Shot: Show the action. Your daughter pointing at a gargoyle, a local craftsman carving wood, or the family tucking into a massive plate of tacos.
- The Detail Shot: This is where the soul lives. The texture of a weathered terracotta pot, the condensation on a cold bottle of Jarritos, or the intricate pattern of some Roman tiles.
When you put these three together, they tell a story that captures the entire moment.
4. Check Your Edges
When I see something beautiful, I often get tunnel vision. I look at the main subject, such as a cathedral or animal, then forget to check what else is in the shot. But a pro looks at the edges of the frame too.
Before you take the photo, do a quick scan of the corners. Is there a stray plastic bottle on the floor? Is there a lamp post growing out of Mum’s head? A tiny step to the left or right can usually hide these distractions, making your photo look cleaner and more focused.
5. The ‘Wait for it’ Method
People are the heartbeat of travel photography. But a posed photo of the whole family standing awkwardly in a line in front of the Colosseum usually feels… well, a bit stiff.
Try this instead: find a background you love, maybe a pretty doorway or a flower stall. Set your exposure, frame the shot, and then just wait. Let the kids explore the space. When your son suddenly laughs at a passing street performer or your partner looks up in genuine awe, you get scale, mood, and a sense of life that you just can’t manufacture with a classic ‘cheese’.
Shooting like a pro on your travels isn’t about technical perfection, it’s about good habits and engaging your brain. It’s about picking the right light, keeping your gear simple (a refurbished iphone is perfect) and looking for the small details that others miss.
I hope these travel photography tips help you improve your snaps. Now get out there and start capturing some special memories!