Photos for Travelers: 125 Photos To Take on Your Next Trip

(Last Updated On: December 21, 2021)

 

I’m doing a lecture series about travel, social media and photography later this month. I’m  positively excited  giddy about it. There are four lectures and (possibly) a photo walk in the series  I’ve developed. 

The lecture on digital photography is my favorite.

I’ve never claimed to be a great photographer, but oh how I adore the opportunity to tell a story with images.

Taking pictures while traveling is never just “taking a picture” for me. It’s painting the details, writing the title page.

When I travel I try to shoot illustrative images. Images that capture the tale of the journey. Images that resonate, bringing friends along for the ride and remind me of what it was like, when we were there, in that moment. It’s become second nature to me, almost instinctive, as I think it does for anyone who practices this sort of documenting – a sort of visual muscle memory.

I find myself snapping mental images now, even when cameras are not in my hand. Photographing and documenting my travels has literally changed how I see the world.

When I discuss this with people, they often say they don’t know how  or where to start. They want to document but just don’t know what to photos of.  So I made a prompt list to hand out during my course. It’s not a cheat sheet. It’s kindling for a life long passion.  I’ll tell you what I intend to tell people attending my lectures. You can’t take too many photos. There’s no wrong place to start. So go out there and take pictures!

If you use or share this list of photos for travelers, please tag me @momfluential and/or link back!

Photos for Travelers: 125 Photos To Take on Your Next Trip

1. Bags by the door or curb
2. Luggage in the Car
3. Luggage tags
4. Contents of your Carry On
5. Favorite/sssential travel gear you swear by
6. Boarding passes
7. The view out the window of the car/plane/taxi
8. Your airplane Seat/row
9. The view in the lobby
10. The elevator (mirror selfie, the control panel with your floor lit)
11. The door to your room
12. An untouched room/cabin
13. A menu
14. A road marker
15. A museum sign
16. A ticket Booth
17. A Street sign
18. Arrival and departure boards
19. Time and temperature/weather report (screenshots acceptable)
20. Pavement & cobblestones underfoot
21. Fabric & textiles
22. Stucco, plaster and siding
23. Fresh and peeling paint
24. Sand
25. Pebbles
26. Clouds
27. Grass
28. Snow
29. Grains & spices
30. Newspaper & magazine stands
31. A pharmacy sign
32. A barber shop
33. A bakery case
34. A table at a sidewalk café
35. Candy
36. Grafitti
37. A scooter
38. A bike
39. A subway platform
40. A bus station
41. Public transportation maps
42. A sale sign
43. A bad translation
44. A traffic signal
45. A taxi
46. A mailbox
47. A license plate
48. A gas station
49. A line worth waiting in
50. A drinking fountain
51. A trashcan (or litter)
52. Local snacks or treats
53. Familiar  items in unfamiliar packages
54. Local currency
55. Vending machines
56. Fresh produce
57. Doors
58. Staircases
59. Fountains
60. Bridges
61. Windows
62. Balconies
63. Gates
64. Arches
65. Cemeteries/tombstones
66. Memorial plaques & cornerstones
67. Manhole covers
68. Statues
69. Rooflines
70. Flags
71. A park nench
72. Holding hands
73. A shadow portrait
74. A silhouette
75. Body language (heart frames with arms/hands)
76. Lipstick mark on a cheek or napkin
77. Two glasses (in a toast, two cups of coffee w/a view )
78. Sunscreen & hat
79. Mittens, scarf, gloves and hat
80. Specialized travel gear (water bottle, binoculars walking shoes )
81. Travel books/guides
82. Motion (wind, twirling, jumping, running)
83. A sleeping dog (or cat)
84. A collection (of shells, rocks, poker chips, french fries… be creative!)
85. A breakfast
86. A lunch
87. A dinner
88. A lavish dessert
89. Snacks
90. A buffet or spread
91. Morning coffee
92. Afternoon tea
93. Feet in sand
94. Feet in water
95. Something you want that you’d never buy for yourself
96. A bubble bath
97. A lounge chair and novel
98. Your view from the lounge (include feet)
99. A cocktail
100. Game pieces (deck of cards, bingo card, checkers)
101. A chocolate on a pillow
102. Crisp linens
103. A Do Not Disturb sign on the door
104. A Room Service menu
105. An elaborately folded napkin or towel
106. Flowers in a vase
107. Robe and slippers
108. The label of a fabulous bottle of wine
109. Hotel amenities – soaps, etc
110. A special outfit, laid out and ready to wear (or on you)
111. Tour tickets
112. Kitschy souvenirs for sale in a shop
113. Souvenirs/gifts you’ve purchased
114. A hotel/cruise newsletter
115. Name tags/passes
116.  The nametag of a great waiter
117. Chilled towels at port
118. Heated towels in your room/spa
119. Stacks of towels by the pool
120. Flowers in the lobby
121. A loaded luggage cart
122. A room service tray
123. The view from your balcony/window
124. A new friend
125. A vacation selfie

Don’t forget the hashtags… here’s a list of the BEST travel hashtags for all your posts.