11 Types of Travel Photography Every Traveller Should Explore
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Have you been looking at all the different types of travel photography from amazing destinations and thought to yourself, “I want to be a travel photographer?”
Or maybe you just want some inspiration to take some cool photos while on vacation.
With all the different types of travel photography, it’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking, “How the heck am I going to do all of this?”
It’s ok, you don’t have to do them all.
Most travel photographers specialise in a few subjects, and it’s usually based on what they prefer to do.
Over the last 5 years, we’ve had to learn all the travel photography tips and tricks to be able to capture our experiences. We’ve tried just about every different style so you don’t have to.
We’re about to guide you through all of the different types of travel photography so you can pick which you prefer and start developing your skills today!
1. Landscape Travel Photography
Landscape travel photography is absolutely our favourite type of travel photography, perfectly combining our love for the outdoors, travel, and photography.
It’s also an incredibly broad category, encompassing everything from vast desert plains to dense forests and coastal cliffs.
Wide-angle lenses are often used in Landscape photography. Using a wide angle will allow you to photograph expansive landscapes without restriction.
To make it easier to explore and take inspiration, we’re going to break it down into smaller subcategories.
Let’s explore some travel photography examples of landscape photography to inspire you with some unique travel picture ideas.
Mavic 3 – Camera Settings – ISO-100, f/11, 1/125sec, 12mm
Waterfalls
Waterfalls are iconic and universally loved subjects for landscape travel photography. They’re popular with travellers and easy to photograph beautifully.
By experimenting with waterfall photography techniques like long exposures, you can turn rushing water into a silky flow, making your waterfall shots stand out from the average travel pic.
Another effective technique for photographing waterfalls is to have someone stand at the base. This adds a sense of scale and highlights the sheer size of the waterfall.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-500, f/10, 1/125 sec, 22mm
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Mountains & Volcanoes
Mountains define many destinations, often acting as their most prominent natural feature. Think of the dramatic peaks of the Alps or the striking beauty of Mount Bromo in Java.
Volcanic landscapes, with their unique terrain and distinct geological features, draw adventurers and photographers alike.
Photographing mountains requires an understanding of light, angles, and weather conditions to truly capture their scale and character.
Photographing a mountain on its own can sometimes feel incomplete, so incorporating an element in the foreground that complements the scene can enhance the composition.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-400, f/13, 1/60sec, 40mm
Beaches
Beaches offer endless possibilities for creative photography. During golden hour, soft light enhances the beauty of the waves, sand, and sky.
From tropical paradises to windswept shores, beaches are a staple for inspiring travel photos.
To ensure the perfect sunset shot, you can use Google Earth Pro to check if the sun will be setting on the horizon the beach is facing.
This can guarantee stunning colours in the sky as the sun dips below the horizon.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-125, f/14, 0.8sec, 20mm
Lighthouses
While lighthouses might be considered architectural subjects, their coastal locations often make them perfect for landscape shots.
Positioned against rocky cliffs or sandy beaches, they evoke both history and natural beauty.
When photographing lighthouses, include some of their surrounding landscape in the composition.
These settings are often more striking than the lighthouse itself and create a compelling contrast between nature and the manmade structure.
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2. Aerial Travel Photography
Aerial photography has revolutionized travel photography since drones like the Mavic Pro by DJI became widely available. These fold-up drones with high-spec cameras meant people could carry them in their backpacks while travelling.
Mavic 3 – Camera Settings – ISO-100, f/10, 1/40sec, 12mm
Drone photography lets you capture landscapes, landmarks, and cities from a bird’s-eye view, providing a fresh perspective on often-photographed destinations.
Aerial shots highlight the defining features of a location, leading to especially unique travel photographs.
We use a DJI Mavic 3 Pro due to its fantastic Hasselblad 4/3 camera. It allows us to take photos of landscapes in golden hour without worrying if the image will be too dark or blown out in the bright areas.
3. Travel Portrait Photography
Some of the most famous travel photos are portraits. Think of The Afghan Girl by Steve McCurry, one of the most iconic covers in the history of National Geographic magazine.
Portraits capture the heart and soul of a place through its people, making them essential for any travel photography portfolio.
Some of the most enriching experiences while traveling come from meeting people whose lives are so different from ours yet finding common ground to bond over.
These shared moments often lead to meaningful connections and lasting friendships, adding depth to the stories behind the portraits.
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Traditional Portraits
These focus solely on the subject, often with a neutral background to avoid distractions, highlighting the person’s expressions and features.
You can enhance the focus of the image by using a wide aperture and selecting a low Fstop number. It will sharpen the details of the subject’s face while blurring the background.
Usually, engaging in conversation with your subject helps them feel at ease, but this can be challenging while travelling due to language barriers.
We always make an effort to learn a few key phrases in the local language to connect with the subject.
This small gesture not only helps establish trust but also leads to more authentic and compelling portraits.
Candid Portraits
Candid shots capture unposed, authentic moments. Whether it’s a street vendor working or a child playing, these images tell genuine stories.
However, there is some controversy surrounding candid photography and its ethical implications.
We find the best approach is to ensure the person has seen you with your camera pointing towards them.
If they acknowledge you with a smile, it’s a good indication they don’t mind being included in your photo.
What you should avoid is intentionally hiding from the subject, as this can feel intrusive and disrespectful.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-500, f/2.8, 1/640 sec, 130mm
Cultural Portraits
These portraits dive deeper into local traditions, showcasing people in traditional clothing, participating in festivals, or creating handmade crafts.
They offer a glimpse into the cultural richness of a destination. Capturing these types of photos often requires careful planning and communication with local communities.
A great tip for travel photography is to connect with a local photographer who speaks the language. They can help you find models, arrange times, and ensure everything is culturally appropriate.
This collaboration not only makes the process smoother but also enriches the experience and authenticity of the portraits as well as supports local businesses.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-1250, f/4.5, 1/160sec, 70mm
Environmental Portraits
Environmental portraits combine people with their surroundings, like a fisherman casting nets on the Mekong Delta. These images tell a story by connecting the person to their environment.
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4. Street Travel Photography
Travel Street Photography combines the art of street photography with the unique cultural and visual elements found in popular tourist destinations or lesser-known locales.
At its core, street photography is about taking photos of daily life and moments that reflect the authenticity and rhythm of a place.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-400, f/2.8, 1/160sec, 25mm
In travel street photography, these moments often include interactions that highlight the culture, traditions, or atmosphere of a destination.
Most street photography is candid, relying on a keen sense of observation and awareness. To excel, photographers must be attuned to their surroundings, spotting fleeting interactions or moments that tell a story.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-250, f/2.8, 1/200sec, 70mm
It’s about being present and patient—many street photographers scout a location, carefully framing their shot, and then wait for the perfect subject or moment to complete the composition.
Beyond technical skills, success in this genre often requires sensitivity and respect for the people and places being photographed.
Capturing someone’s daily life in a meaningful way involves balancing spontaneity with ethical considerations, such as seeking permission in sensitive situations or respecting cultural norms.
For travellers, street photography is a way to create a visual diary of a destination—capturing not just how it looks but how it feels.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-250, f/2.8, 1/250sec, 70mm
5. Cultural Event Photography
Cultural Event Photography is all about capturing the vibrant energy and unique traditions of cultural festivals, showcasing their beauty and joy to people all over the world.
This type of photography not only highlights the excitement and fun of these events but also draws attention to cultures that many may not have heard of, celebrating the incredible diversity of our planet.
Through our travels, we’ve attended many cultural events and festivals, and they’ve been some of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences we’ve ever had.
There’s a profound sense of togetherness during these celebrations, and we’ve always felt warmly accepted by the locals.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-250, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, 180mm
The locals go out of their way to include us, welcoming us with big smiles. They give us instruments to play, and food and drinks to enjoy, and always seem happy to have us there.
These moments are not just about photographing the event but about fully immersing ourselves in the culture, creating connections, and capturing the spirit of humanity at its most joyful.
6. Wildlife Travel Photography
While capturing animals might seem like classic wildlife photography, adding their habitats makes the image more travel-oriented.
From safaris in Africa to volunteering at wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife photography is both rewarding and inspiring.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-800, f/2.8, 1/250sec, 180mm
Including the animal’s environment in your shot—like a lion in the African savannah or a bird perched in a rainforest—adds context and tells a richer story about the place.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-2500, f/2.8, 1/250sec, 180mm
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7. Adventure travel Photography
Adventure travel photography blends landscape travel photography with action, such as hikers in majestic landscapes or kayakers navigating rivers.
It captures the thrill of outdoor activities, inspiring others to explore and experience the world actively.
This style of photography is also highly sought after by tour companies, and you can often join tours for free while travelling in exchange for providing them with photographs.
However, it’s important to remember that you’ll be working, which can make the experience different from simply enjoying a tour. That said, we still find it incredibly rewarding and a fantastic way to combine adventure with creativity.
8. Travel Cityscape Photography
Cityscape photography highlights the beauty of urban environments.
Wide-angle shots capture the scale and majesty of cities, while night photography brings out the glow of illuminated buildings and car light trails.
Although our main focus is nature photography, we can’t resist the allure of capturing sprawling cityscapes when we visit a big city.
The contrast between towering skyscrapers, vibrant streets, and the interplay of light and shadow offers endless opportunities for stunning shots.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-200, f/13, 13sec, 40mm
9. Non-Traditional Travel Photography
Travel photographers on Instagram are developing new trends in travel photography, often incorporating the traveller themselves into the frame.
This approach helps the viewer imagine themselves in that destination, creating a more personal and aspirational connection to the location. Including a person in the evokes emotions and tells a story, making the image more relatable and engaging.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-250, f/4, 1/100 sec, 54mm
This style of photography is highly desirable for clients like tourist boards and travel brands, as it aligns with their goal of inspiring potential visitors.
Additionally, showcasing authentic experiences, from hiking trails to relaxing at local cafes, has become a key trend, as it resonates with the audience’s desire for immersive and unique travel experiences.
There are so many different new types of travel photography that we won’t mention here. But here are some of the most popular ones at the moment.
Model-Driven Travel Photography
In this style, the model is the focal point, dressed to complement the surroundings. Whether it’s flowing dresses in the desert or adventure gear in the mountains, these photos evoke a curated, artistic vibe.
Models in these photos often spend a lot of time perfecting different poses, which is an art form in itself and a key element in creating visually stunning images. This type of content is definitely easier to produce when travelling with a friend or as a couple.
Many Instagram accounts that focus on the model are truly the work of two people, while one is in front of the camera, the other is behind it, capturing the vision and bringing the composition to life.
Small Person in a Vast Landscape
This travel photography style, where a person appears small compared to their surroundings, has become incredibly popular on Instagram and with the younger generation of travel photographers.
It’s often used to create a striking sense of scale, emphasizing the grandeur of the environment, whether it’s towering mountains, expansive deserts, or monumental cityscapes.
Photographers sometimes enhance this effect by using telephoto lenses, which compress the background and make the subject appear even smaller in relation to their surroundings.
This style isn’t limited to natural settings; it works just as well with iconic landmarks or sprawling urban landscapes, adding drama and perspective to the image.
Point of View (POV) Travel Photography
POV photography captures the scene as if through your own eyes—a hand reaching toward a mountain or holding a compass in the wilderness. It’s an immersive way to invite viewers into your journey.
10. Travel Food Photography
Food photography plays a significant role in travel photography because food is an essential part of every travel experience. Everyone eats out when they travel!
It’s no surprise that travel magazines often dedicate considerable attention to showcasing local cuisines, as food is deeply tied to culture and destination appeal.
For our style of photography, where we chase sunrise and sunset, we typically settle for whatever food is available at the time. Which means food photography isn’t a major focus for us.
However, we do enjoy capturing the vibrant atmosphere of night markets, combining food photography with elements of street photography to highlight the lively energy and unique culinary offerings of these settings.
Sony A7R3 – Camera Settings – ISO-1600, f/2.8, 1/1600sec, 70mm
11. Travel Documentary Photography
Travel Documentary Photography is not just about capturing stunning images. It captures moments that hold significant meaning, often tied to cultural, social, or political events happening at a specific point in time.
This genre has the power to bring attention to global issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, offering a window into challenges and triumphs experienced in different countries.
By creating a narrative through a series of carefully composed images, travel documentary photography tells compelling stories that inform and evoke emotion in the viewer.
At InWanderment, we feel especially passionate about wildlife conservation and protecting the environment. As we travel, we actively volunteer at animal welfare projects, using our photography and social media platforms to help raise awareness for these incredible initiatives.
These experiences have been some of the most rewarding of our travels, offering not only a deeper connection to our work but also a meaningful way to give back.
For aspiring documentary travel photographers, we highly recommend volunteering. It’s an opportunity to hone your storytelling skills while contributing to causes that truly make a difference.
Final Thoughts
Travel photography offers a diverse range of opportunities to document and capture stunning images of the unique experiences of your journeys.
From expansive landscapes and bustling cityscapes to intimate cultural portraits and dynamic wildlife shots, there’s a style to suit every photographer’s interests and strengths.
By understanding the different types of travel photography, you can identify what resonates with you and begin to refine your skills.
Feeling overwhelmed by where to start or how to improve? Don’t worry—photography is a journey, not a race.
Start small, experiment with techniques, and focus on the types of photography that excite you the most. Remember, the key is to keep learning, practising, and finding inspiration along the way.
To help you on your journey, we’d love for you to join our Travel Photography Facebook Group.
It’s a vibrant community of like-minded photographers who share tips, inspiration, and feedback on their work. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, you’ll find plenty of support and inspiration to take your skills to the next level.
Click here to join the group and start connecting with fellow travel photography enthusiasts today!
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