Our photography tips to get the most out of your trip
Travel photography is about so much more than just snapping a quick shot to say “I was here.” It’s about bottling up the feeling of a place, like the energy of a busy street, the calm of a quiet countryside, or the magic of a glowing sunset, and being able to relive it later. The best part? You don’t need to be a professional photographer or carry around fancy gear to capture those moments and preserve them in a travel photo album. With a few easy tricks and a little bit of extra thought, your travel photos can become keepsakes that tell the story of your journey - just like our photo books and albums do. Here are some simple tips to help you capture your adventures in a way that feels true to you.
Top travel photo tips for perfect snapshots
1. Chase the light
2. Use the rule of thirds
3. Think in layers
4. Look for symmetry & patterns
5. Capture movement
6. Edit with intention
Great lighting can elevate even the most ordinary scene. Early morning mist or late afternoon sunlight (often called ‘golden hour’) offers soft, warm light that flatters both people and landscapes. Midday sun tends to be quite harsh, but you can lean into that if you wish for more bold contrast and shadow play. If you can, try to schedule key shots during these specific times to tailor your travel photos for the best lighting it can get.
Another lighting-specific trick is to shoot with the sun behind a subject (being a person) for a backlit effect, which adds drama while avoiding squinting faces!
2. Use the rule of thirds
Placing your main subject slightly off-center, rather than right in the middle of the frame, can instantly make your travel photos feel more dynamic and visually engaging. This technique, known as the "rule of thirds", helps create a stronger sense of balance in your travel photos. Most smartphones have a built-in grid you can switch on through your photo settings, making it easier to line up key elements like the horizon, a winding street, or a striking building. It’s especially powerful when capturing sweeping landscapes or detailed architectural scenes, where thoughtful composition can transform a simple snapshot into a photograph that feels polished and intentional.
3. Think in layers
Depth brings richness to travel photos and makes them feel more like you’re actually there when revisiting them. Try including a foreground element (like a plant, window frame, or passerby), your main subject in the middle ground, and a background with context or busy features – like bustling people, cars in traffic or a colorful marketplace. It’s a technique that can transform a flat shot into something dynamic and engaging when seen in photos.
Repetition can be powerful. From tiled walls to rows of chairs or arches, design details often create strong visual lines and pleasing balance. Maybe the shore and the water lines up with a tree line, or a fence lines up with the horizon beautifully, or a focal subject perfectly fits within the lens in a pair of binoculars. Take the time to notice patterns every day, they’re often hiding in plain sight!
Movement gives your photos a sense of energy and spontaneity. A blurred hand gesture, flowing dress, or someone walking through the frame brings the moment to life. Don’t stress too much about perfection, some of the most memorable images are the ones that feel real.
A thoughtful edit can bring out the mood of a scene without overprocessing. Try adjusting brightness, contrast, and shadows subtly to highlight what made the moment special. Stick to the vibe you want to communicate, rather than chasing filters for the sake of it. Although – if you are the creative sort, why not play around with filters if it fits well with the content and context of a photo?
At the end of the day, the photos you take while traveling are little time capsules - reminders of how a place looked, but more importantly, how it really felt to be there. Playing around with light, framing, and including a bit of movement can help your shots stand out, but don’t worry too much about perfection! The images you’ll treasure most are often the ones that feel real and spark emotion, even if they’re a little rough around the edges. So next time you’re off exploring and shooting your travel adventures, keep these photo tips in mind, follow your curiosity, and enjoy capturing the moments that will mean the most to you later.
When you’re back home, don’t let those travel memories live only on your camera roll - turn them into something lasting with a MILK Travel Photo Book, Album or Magazine you can revisit for years to come. Start creating in our Design Studio.
