Discover the trends shaping how we photograph our adventures in 2025
In 2025, travel photography is evolving. This year, it’s less about the picture-perfect postcard and more about capturing the raw feelings and a strong sense of place for your travel photo books. Whether you’re exploring somewhere new, returning to a most-loved destination, or documenting the everyday moments in between, today’s photography styles encourage a more personal, artful approach. The good news? You don’t need the best travel camera or a complicated photography setup to take meaningful travel photos. With a bit of thought and some simple techniques, you can create stunning images that feel as rich and layered as the experiences themselves.
The way we photograph our trips is shifting. It’s no longer just about big landmarks or sweeping vistas, it's about how a place feels on our travels. The moods, memories and fleeting moments all tell a story of your adventure of a lifetime. Below are some of the key photography trends shaping that story this year and ones that will translate both to your travel photo book or album, as well as some great travel photography portfolio inspiration.
1. Cinematic storytelling
Bold compositions, wide angles, and emotion-led framing are front and center. The aim isn’t just to capture what you see, but to convey the feeling of being there. Whether it’s golden hour light casting long shadows or the stillness of a train station before departure, cinematic photos draw the viewer into the moment.
Flash is also making a nostalgic comeback, particularly when shot on mid-2000s digital cameras. These flash-lit images add vibrancy and grit, with a funky, Y2K energy that feels both playful and unpolished.
Portraits are becoming more contextual and story driven. Instead of isolating the subject, photographers are framing people within their surroundings, a market stall, a narrow alley, a sunlit balcony, for their travel journals. These images capture both personality and place, offering a fuller, more immersive narrative to look back on in your travel photo keepsake.
From dreamlike portraits to glimpses of marine life, underwater photography continues to grow in popularity. Whether you're diving in turquoise bays or experimenting with a waterproof case in the pool, this trend pushes creative boundaries and adds another otherworldly element to your travel photo book. At MILK Books, we are passionate about our print quality, so the magic of your underwater shots comes through, every time.
Photo stills are timeless and straightforward, but adding motion brings energy and spontaneity. Whether it’s the blur of a cyclist, fabric caught mid-spin, or water splashing against a dock, movement adds life to your shots. A slow shutter or purposeful blur can turn a simple moment into something unforgettable. We love the way a series of movements, like those on the scooter, also add a sense of adventure to your travel book, emphasizing even the journey.
5. Aerial & elevated views
While drones continue to inspire with their sweeping aerial shots, many are finding creative ways to replicate the effect using just their phone or travel camera. Think staircases, rooftops, balconies, or even holding your device overhead. These perspectives add drama, scale, and a fresh angle to familiar scenes, and make wonderful double-page spreads in our travel photo albums.
Grain, blur, and nostalgic color palettes are firmly back in style. Some of the best travel photo editing software, like VSCO or Lightroom make it easy to replicate the soft, warm tones of vintage film. Many travelers are also embracing older digital cameras or point-and-shoots from the 2000s, welcoming the unpredictability and charm of imperfection. Shooting your next travel adventure can be relaxed and spontaneous when using this technique to capture your photos.
Some of the most compelling travel shots aren’t always of iconic landmarks in the places you go, but instead they’re of the moments “in-between”. A quiet café corner, a tiled floor, handwritten signage, or a surprisingly enjoyable meal that encapsulates your whole trip. These subtle, often-overlooked details help ground your visual narrative and give variety and truth to your memories – because it’s honest to your one-of-a-kind experience.
Take those iconic shots if you're standing in front of the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower - take those photos that everyone takes because these are monumental moments of a trip that shouldn’t be forgotten. But don’t forget to look around at the unseen gems of your travel journey. Think about what really makes the moment yours; is it the background bustle, a small gesture between people you’ve met along the way, or a precious detail that would go unnoticed? These are the photos that will transport you right back to that moment in time.
Photography trends in 2025 reflect a broader shift in how we see and share our world. So, whether you’re halfway across the globe or just around the corner, shoot with intention. Capture the layers, the light, and the little things. And when the journey’s over? Consider turning those moments into something lasting. A printed MILK Travel Photo Book, Album or Magazine can become your personal archive and a tactile way to relive the intrepid adventures you’ve been on.
