If you’re reading this, you want to learn how to take better travel photos on your phone, and you’re not alone.
‘How can I get good travel photos with just my phone?’ <—This is a question I get a lot since I use my iPhone for most of my blog photos.
Here’s the real shit: What makes a stand-out photo doesn’t necessarily come from the camera itself, but from the positioning and angle of the picture, along with the lighting and colors in the environment.
Here’s how to take the best travel photos on your phone, as told by a travel blogger-
Preplan Outfits with Location Research
What are the chances you’ll pack/wear the right outfits without any pre-planning?
Probably not very high.
Some people couldn’t care less about how they look in photos, and that’s ok. Other people find that an unflattering photo adds a gray film to their otherwise beloved memories. And that’s fine, too.
So how do you start planning the right outfits for the right occasions? It all starts with location research.
How to do location research
- Do a quick web search of your destination. Note the popular landmarks, colors of the backgrounds, and any unique features.
- Look for the location tag on Instagram or social media. See what other people post, how they’re posing, and what they’re wearing.
- Never underestimate the power of a Pinterest board. Pinterest is a literal search engine for creatives, so it doesn’t work the same as Google. Here are some search terms to get you started-
- What to wear for (location)
- How to pack for (location)
- (location) aesthetic
- Where to take pictures in (location)
- If you have a travel itinerary, go down the list of places you’ll visit. For example, start by searching for “Phoenix” and then move to individual places, like “Phoenix Downtown,” “Phoenix Botanical Gardens,” Etc.,
Questions to ask yourself while planning travel outfits
- What will the weather be like?
- What will the lighting be like? Will there be more or less sun during the season of my trip?
- How can I work with my background colors (more about that below)?
- Do my clothes fit the space I’m in (For example, I wouldn’t recommend wearing a cocktail dress on an airboat tour)?
- Am I choosing clothes that can be used in a variety of outfits? This is extra important when packing for budget airlines.
Travel during Off-season
Off-season travel is lovely for many reasons. Having fewer people in your space and in your photos is undoubtedly one.
In some places, you’ll be able to get the perfect shot whenever, but at tourist hot spots like Yellowstone, certain times of the year can get packed.
You get fewer people in your photos during less popular times of the year and all the other good stuff that comes with off-season travel, like lower hotel and flight prices.
Color Coordinate your ‘Fit
Remember that time you wore all neutrals to the Florida Everglades and all of your travel photos looked fifty shades of brown? Or that time you wore red at the Grand Canyon and blended in?
Here’s the single most valuable tip I’ve used in my career as a travel blogger and past life as a model:
The best way to complement your background while also highlighting your subject is by using color contrast.
Color contrast is exactly what it sounds like- simply use the color wheel to determine the best outfit for your travel photos!
How to take travel photos on your phone using different backgrounds
Colorful backgrounds, Graffiti/Street Art
Go for neutrals, especially blacks and grays. Mix and match a cute crop top with a versatile maxi skirt for an easy but stylish outfit that stands out in photos.
Red or pink, Brick Walls, Deserts
Wear blues, purples, and cool tones to pop the background or neutrals for dramatic contrast. Yellows and pinks also look nice depending on the exact shade of the environment, but especially in the desert.
My pink mini dress (pictured above, bottom right) has been photographed well in many locations and comes in different colors.
Yellow or Orange Backgrounds
Go for cool tones to pop the background or white for a clean yet tropical look. Black tends to highlight the background more than the subject, which can be good for buildings and architecture.
Blues, Oceans, Water, Sky
Wear pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and warm tones. I love wearing pink bathing suits and dresses to any tropical beach. Purple is also a winner here.
Green, Forests, Jungles
Yellow, pink, or red give the best contrast, but any bright color does well, especially if it has a warm undertone.
Clean your Nasty Lens
As someone who often browses bucket list vacations on their phone while eating in bed, my lens gets dirty. You can carry a microfiber lens cleaning cloth or a clean, non-scratchy shirt.
I always give my iPhone camera a quick wipe-down before getting serious with the shots.
Avoid Zoom
Zooming in reduces the picture’s quality and leaves behind a pixelated or grainy look. Once you’ve zoomed in, you can’t fix the shot; it is what it is.
If you just take the picture far away, you can always crop it later.
Shoot your Shot
I mean this in the most literal way possible.
Let go of the idea that every photo needs to be perfect. If something inspires you, but you’re unsure how it would translate to the camera, just take the pic! If it sucks, delete it.
Most of the photos you take won’t be winners, no matter how good you get at photography, so accept that reality early on.
The worst-case scenario isn’t that you take shitty photos.
The worst-case scenario is that you never take the photo, and your inspiration remains unexpressed potential.
Aim for Different Angles
Entertaining other perspectives is always a good thing, don’t be afraid to play around with different angles.
Angles to try
- Shooting from a lower angle will make your subject appear taller, whether working with people or places.
- Angling the camera straight forward and at eye level adds relatability and authenticity.
- For a dramatic perspective, shoot upwards at your subject. This is commonly done with trees or landscapes.
When in doubt: Open the camera app and look around with it for inspiration. Crouch, stand directly over your subject and play with perspectives and depth of field.
Look for the Less Obvious
Is there a tree you find particularly lovely? A section of the street you keep lingering on? A door or building you can’t stop looking at? Does the way the sunlight is streaming through the cafe window inspire you?
The Grand Canyon is grand. But there is unintentional beauty tucked away in the everyday and ordinary, and it happens to make for excellent photos.
Dare to be the Same
Don’t knock the tourist poses.
Some things are cliche for a reason: because they work. This is another area where doing your research before the trip will help you take better travel photos. It’s 2022, and everything has been done before.
Being one more person with your hands in the air at the beach is ok.
Get Creative with Tripods
Tripods aren’t just for DSLR cameras.
I use this inexpensive tripod from Amazon, and it comes with a Bluetooth remote control that hooks right to your phone (plus it can survive many, many falls).
My favorite uses for my tripod
- Taking photos of myself while traveling solo.
- Landscape photos and photos of large buildings up close.
- Astrophotography. Yes, this is possible with just a smartphone, but it requires the phone to remain absolutely still for at least about thirty seconds, another checkmark for tripods.
How to Take Travel Photos on Your Phone with the Rule of Thirds
We have arrived at one of the most sacred laws of photography: The Rule of Thirds.
This is basically just dividing your image into 9 squares and placing your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the rest open.
How to get the grid
Every smartphone will create this grid for you, although you may need to play with your settings. Once you’re comfortable, experiment by placing your subject in other areas along the lines to achieve different effects.
Grid tips
- Placing the horizon in the upper third section of the image will create a sense of expansiveness when taking landscape photos.
- Portrait-style photos usually center the subject (or self) by lining them up in the middle of the squares.
- Try placing your subject on the left or right side of the frame for different situations.
Taking photos is art. And like all good art, it’s important to deviate from the rules now and then.
If you think you can get a better shot by disregarding The Rule of Thirds, do it.
Go for Gold
Golden hour.
I know you’ve heard the term. Just after sunset, the light is more gold and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.
Also called the magic hour, everything and everyone looks better during this time.
Use your weather app to determine the exact moment of sunrise and sunset to plan your photos.
The light changes every minute, and nearly every shot will have slightly different lighting. Take advantage of this by shooting as many frames as possible, which will give you more options to work with afterward.
Document Everything
So you’ll want to get the main events- when in Portland, Oregon, definitely get photos with Multnomah Falls.
But don’t forget about the small stuff- hazy group photos, random wall art that wasn’t on the map, that really pretty fruity drink you ordered.
Grab photos of your plane taking off or even the ridiculously long security line if you’re flying. If you’re roadtrippin’ snap a selfie at the gas station or out in the middle of nowhere.
Document your entire journey. Take photos at every place you pass through- this may be the only time in your life that you’re there.
Filter Correctly
Ever flip through someone’s IG grid and wonder how every single photo seems to follow a theme? Chances are, they’re using filters or presets.
Even when you know how to take travel photos on your phone, you can always use a fun filter to curate an aesthetic. Personally, I love playing around with all the fun Polaroid and vintage filters on Instagram.
Travel More… for like, Practice
There is one safe way to get good at literally anything in life: practice.
Experience beats education, knowledge, and talent. So travel, and take photos. Just get started around your state, country, neighborhood, or the next city over… just get started!
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