Travel Photo Checklist

I

OKeefe Arts

Travel Photography Tips for Telling a Complete Story with Your Phone

This checklist will help you create a photo book of your trip that can tell most of the story without words. The key is variety: closeups mixed with wide shots.  Picking a theme is fun too. For example, shapes you find repeated in cities, flowers, or animals.  I have used each of these as a fun opening page to a photo book.

DAY ONE – Travel day

  1. Packing shots: Typically I add these only if unique things are needed for a location. Generally I start with #2. Capture a flat-lay of your suitcase or backpack as you pack.
  2. The view from your car, train, or plane window that establish the start of the journey. A first sunrise will work here as well.
  3. Your hotel or lodging exterior and entrance: Wide shots show the name or address of the place where you’ll stay. .
  4. Unique room details: especially fun when traveling overseas. Different room key access, the view from your room are all good to include.

DAY TWO – REPEAT AS NEEDED

  1. I like to highlight each location on a trip, other trips are more suited for a day by day storytelling.
  2. Wide shots of landmarks: Capture the full view and then closer shots of details. Of course add shots of yourself and loved ones too.
  3. Tickets & Maps: Snap a quick shot of your tickets, or a favorite travel app. These are fun especially for including the cost of things.
  4. Close-ups of small details: Food on a plate, a colorful door, hands holding a local souvenir. Not every meal needs to be included but it is a great way to document the local cuisine.
  5. Textures & patterns: Close-ups of cobblestone streets, waves on the water, or carved doors add richness.

LAST DAY

  1. Your last view: Capture the final sunset or one last street you loved.
  2. Transit shots: Airport, train station, or car window as you leave. — this signals a natural close to your story.

Cell Phone Photo Tips::

Clean your lens!  Keep doing it many times throughout the day.

  • Out-the-window shots: Place your phone close to the glass with the flash off to reduce reflections.
  • Low light images: Try a shot without a flash for more ambient light. Steady your hands or brace your phone against a wall or chair to avoid blur indoors. Or have a friend shine their camera light on the area you photograph. This will have softer lighting than a camera flash.
  • Busy landmarks: Blur or crop out people in the background. Step away from the landmark, and then step away from your friend in the photo. Zoom in to bring the background closer to your friend and climate unwanted extras in the background.

Click HERE for a free downloadable phone-friendly short checklist from the above article.