Capturing the world in stock photos can be both a creative challenge and a rewarding venture for someone with a passion for both travel and photography. It’s a practical way of putting your passion for the visual arts into practice as well as earning funds to support your travels. However, remember that stock photos are going to be used by different kinds of people: graphic designers, marketing professionals, teachers, social media creators, and more. So, to appeal to a broad audience, travel-themed stock images need to balance beauty with versatility and offer an image that’s both captivating and useful for clients or viewers looking for eye-catching visuals.
To make this task more manageable, let’s explore practical tips that will help you take high-quality, travel-themed stock photos that sell.
Plan for Photoshoots Set in Unique Locations
Choosing the right location is essential in travel photography, especially when it comes to stock photos. It’s important to research popular sites, but you also need to keep an eye out for lesser-known spots that might offer a fresh perspective to your target market. Remember that there are stock photo buyers who seek recognisable images and those looking for something more unique. So, while a classic shot of the Eiffel Tower may sell, a photo of a lesser-known Parisian street can add variety to your portfolio.
To breeze through the planning phase, use tools like Google Earth, Instagram geotags, or local travel guides. These will allow you to easily identify interesting places off the beaten path. Including both iconic and unexpected destinations in your itinerary will diversify your collection and make it more appealing to a broader range of clients.
Use a Studio for Marketing-Focused Shots
If you’re specifically targeting the marketing or advertising crowd, then it might be best to shoot staged photos of people and products that can be easily superimposed over other images. This gives would-be stock photo buyers more flexibility. Fortunately, it’s easy to find photography studios Manchesterprofessionals trust nowadays. The key is to look for one that provides everything you need—from a variety of coloured backdrops to flexible lighting fixtures.
Once you’ve booked a studio, make sure to prepare a detailed shot list. Include common poses like pulling rollaway bags or carrying backpacks, pointing to the distance, and running or jumping.
Capture the Local Culture and People
One of the best ways to add depth to your travel-themed stock photos is by capturing the local culture, customs, and people of the place you’re visiting, whether locally or abroad. Photos that feature locals engaging in traditional activities or simply going about their daily lives present a sense of authenticity and connect viewers to the essence of the place. Candid shots can add a natural, documentary feel to your images, while posed portraits may appeal to clients looking for structured compositions.
As always, when turning people into the subject of your photography, make sure to approach them respectfully. Where necessary, such as when you want to feature their faces, ask for permission before photographing them.
Focus on Natural Lighting When taking Outdoor Photos
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between working in a local studio and taking on-location travel-themed stock photos is the logistics involved in ensuring your subjects are properly lit. Lighting is one of the most critical elements in photography and, for travel-themed stock photos, natural light often works best.
With this in mind, plan your shoot around sunrise and the hour before sunset. This will enable you to maximise the golden hour when the lighting is soft and warm. Also, do note that while midday sunlight can cast harsh shadows, it’s also an excellent time for certain subjects, like brightly lit landscapes or high-contrast street scenes. Adjust your camera settings to accommodate the available light and avoid using flash, as natural light tends to lend a more organic, travel-ready feel to images.
Show a Sense of Scale and Let Viewers Appreciate the Size of the Subject
Including a sense of scale in your photos gives viewers a better understanding of the grandeur or intimacy of a location. Scale brings perspective and depth, which helps viewers envision themselves in the scene, ultimately making the photo more engaging for potential buyers who want images that evoke a strong sense of place.
Scale can be achieved by incorporating people, buildings, or objects into the frame to provide context. For example, placing a person in the foreground of a vast landscape can show how expansive the setting is. Likewise, a small café table in front of a historic building can indicate the relative size of the architecture.
Think about Composition and Symmetry
Techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry can be used to draw the viewer’s eye into the image. In travel photography, symmetry often appears naturally in architecture, reflections, or even street scenes. Many stock photo users prefer balanced compositions because they are aesthetically pleasing and versatile for different uses, which are more likely to catch the attention of potential clients.
Include Seasonal and Weather Variations in Your Collection
Seasonal variety can make your travel-themed stock photos stand out among clients who are looking for specific time-sensitive visuals. You can collect photos of the same place under sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowy conditions and offer it as a photo bundle. For example, a popular tourist destination like a beach looks dramatically different in winter than it does in summer; this gives clients diverse ways to use the images.
If you happen to be in a location with distinct seasons, capture shots that reflect each one. Rainy days and fog, for example, can create a sense of mystery, while sunny days often lend a cheerful vibe. Seasonal variation can also increase the usability of your photos and make them suitable for multiple themes or campaigns.
Edit Your Shots for Consistency
Editing is an essential step in ensuring your stock photos have a consistent, polished look. Avoid heavy filters or extreme colour adjustments, as these can make the images less versatile for potential buyers. Instead, aim for subtle adjustments in brightness, contrast, and saturation that enhance the natural beauty of the location. An evenly edited portfolio also reflects professionalism and encourages clients to choose multiple photos from the same collection, boosting your sales potential.
Stock photography in travel is all about combining creativity with a versatile approach. By planning your shots carefully and paying attention to details, you can build a collection of travel-themed photos that resonate with clients and viewers alike. This approach not only adds value to your portfolio but also allows you to capture the true essence of each place you visit.
