To travel is to discover. New places, different cultures, special moments. You not only want to experience them, but also capture them. But how do you make sure your travel photos are more than just standard snapshots? How do you capture the atmosphere of a city, the dynamics of a market or the stillness of a sunrise in an alley?
The answer, for me, lies in street photography.
Street photography teaches you to look differently. It helps you catch the right moment, even in crowded environments. It makes you faster, more confident and more aware of composition and light. In short: those who are good at street photography make better travel photos.
What makes travel photography challenging?
Travelling is unpredictable. You have little control over the light, the people around you and the speed at which everything moves. You often have to switch gears quickly. Yet you see the most beautiful travel photos not created by chance, but by attention.
Many travel photos lack exactly that:
- They are too rushed - A quick click without really looking.
- They lack composition - The image feels chaotic or cluttered.
- They feel distant - There is no connection to the subject matter.
Good travel photography requires patience, guts and a keen eye. And that is exactly what street photography teaches you.
What street photography teaches you for travel
Street photography is all about capturing the unexpected. It is the art of observing, anticipating and daring to photograph. These are the skills that will immediately help you on your travels:
You become faster at seeing compositions.
You will learn to deal with changing light and busy scenes.
You dare to get closer to people and photograph real moments.
In many ways, travel photography is just street photography, but in unfamiliar territory. The better you master that, the stronger your travel images will become.
Tranquillity in chaos: how to bring order to crowded places
When travelling, you often find yourself in situations where everything seems to happen at once. A market in Marrakech, a street in Tokyo, a square in Rome. Movement, colours, faces everywhere. How do you make a strong photo of that?
Street photography teaches you to see patterns in the chaos. By paying attention to lines, light and shadows, you bring calm to a busy image. By waiting a split second, you avoid distracting elements.
The result? Photos that show not only where you were, but more importantly what it felt like there.
Self-assured travel photography
Many people find it exciting to take photos while travelling, especially of people. They are afraid of standing out, getting a reaction or upsetting the situation.
In street photography, you will learn how to be inconspicuous, but also how to photograph confidently without feeling uncomfortable. By using subtle techniques, such as stepping aside or pretending to focus on something else, you take part in your surroundings more naturally.
When travelling, this helps enormously. You become less of an outsider with a camera and more of an observing traveller who understands the moment.
Travel photos that tell a story
What makes a travel photo really good? Not just the beauty of the location, but the story within it. The best travel photos evoke emotion. They take you back to that moment, make you feel the atmosphere.
Street photography helps you develop that instinct. You learn to see small moments: a child playing with water, an old man looking at the street, a tourist who seems lost. These kinds of images give your travel photos depth and character.
In my own photography journey, I took a master class at National Geographic in 2023. In several master classes by well-known photographers such as Jasper Doest, Linnele Deunk and Ilvy Njiokiktjien, I learned to read the story accompanying the photo. Looking a layer further than just the outside. It is the most beautiful thing there is.
My experience: from street photography to travel photography
As a photographer, I have captured thousands of moments. On the streets, in studios and while travelling. I know how to tell a story in one image. How to add tension. How to calm a busy place, and make a quiet place come alive.
I share that knowledge in my workshops, books and lectures. Not with complicated theories, but with practical tips you can apply immediately. Like street photography, travel photography is not about taking as many photos as possible. It is about the right photos.
Getting started yourself?
Want more control over your travel photos? Learn how to really use composition and light? In my workshops, I teach you the techniques that make the difference. So that you come home with images that really make your trip come alive.
📩 Curious? Get in touch. I am happy to help you.