How to Become a Travel Photographer (and Actually Make Money With Your Travel Photos)

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Becoming a travel photographer sounds dreamy (cue the sunsets, plane tickets, epic hikes, endless freedom). 

But let’s be real for a second: it’s not just pretty photos and perfect adventures. Being a travel photographer is a business, and a fiercely competitive one at that. 

If you’ve ever felt like breaking in is impossible, overwhelming, or straight-up confusing… trust me, you’re not alone.

Every traveler with a camera wants to make money with travel photography. 

Every algorithm changes the rules. And every time you think you’ve figured out how to become a travel photographer, a new challenge pops up.

But here’s the part people rarely say out loud:

You absolutely can make money with travel photography. You just need the right strategy, skill, and a ridiculous amount of persistence.

I know this because I live it every single day. I hike, I shoot, I edit, I pitch, I publish, I cry into my coffee sometimes… and I keep going. 

And along the way, I’ve learned exactly what works (and what’s a waste of time) when you’re trying to actually earn income from your adventures.

This guide won’t promise you overnight success, and it won’t sell you a fantasy life in an RV. 

But it will give you real, accessible ways to start making money with your travel photos, even if you’re just beginning, even if the competition feels impossible, and even if you’re doing this with nothing but determination and a camera you got on Facebook Marketplace.

Let’s get into it.

Note: None of this means automatic success, these are just ideas for how to make money as a travel photographer. See my disclaimer for more info.

I’ve also lived this and this career journey! I will attach examples from my own photography business. While I am going to be motivational (cause I do love my job), I am also going to be brutally honest. If you want someone to hold your hand, go somewhere else. I’d rather prepare you so that you can actually succeed. ☺️

What is Travel Photography?

So… what is travel photography, really?

Because despite what Instagram might make you think, it’s not just tossing on a flowy dress, spinning on a cliffside, and hoping a brand emails you about their new eco-friendly backpack.

At its core, travel photography is simply the art of documenting places, people, cultures, and experiences in a way that tells a story. 

That’s it. It’s less about “look at me on this mountain” and more about capturing the feeling of a place, whether that’s a sunrise in Yosemite or a street vendor in Mexico City making the best tacos of your life.

Categories of Travel Photography

But travel photography is way more layered than a single genre. It includes a bunch of branches you’ve probably already dabbled in:

Adventure Photography

Hiking, climbing, oceans, national parks. It’s the adrenaline-fueled, “I might die for this shot” category. 

For me, this is my bread and butter! I’m obsessed with this side of travel photography so much that I’ve created my own sub-niche.

Landscape Photography

Mountains, oceans, deserts, forests. It’s the wide, cinematic stuff.

I live in an RV and am an avid solo hiker. So naturally, I also gravitate towards nature and landscapes. 

Cultural Photography

People, traditions, festivals, markets, celebrations. This is storytelling at its finest.

This is great for travelers who love portraits, street, and event photography with a traveling twist.

Food Photography (While Traveling)

Let’s be real: half of travel is eating. Restaurants, street food, cafés. Plus, brands love this content.

See one you like? I would suggest picking 1-2 and sticking with it. 

Reality Check Time

Here’s the part nobody tells you:

Most “travel photographers” aren’t full-time nomads sipping lattes in Greece.

Most are multi-skilled creators who juggle:

• photography
• editing
• writing
• social media
• pitching
• client work
• and usually another job on the side

Travel photography is less about constant flights and more about being a storyteller who can adapt, create, and deliver high-quality images in unpredictable environments.

How to Become a Travel Photographer Without Selling Your Soul

Here’s the truth nobody writes in their glossy “How I Became a Travel Photographer in 6 Months!” posts: you become a travel photographer by building skills, not traveling everyday.

You don’t need to backpack across Southeast Asia. You don’t need to chase every sunset. And you don’t need to quit your job and “hope it works out.”

You just need a strategy, consistency, and a willingness to improve over time.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Start With the Skills, Not the Plane Tickets

Travel photography is built on three pillars:

Camera Basics

You don’t need the fanciest gear, but you do need to understand exposure, light, sharpness, and how your camera behaves in different environments. 

You should be able to shoot confidently in weird lighting, fast-changing weather, crowded streets, and low-light mornings.

Composition

Here’s the hard truth. Some people just get composition… and others don’t.

Either way, composition cannot be overlooked and it needs to be a priority.

This is your secret weapon. A photographer with a mediocre camera but killer composition will ALWAYS win.

Learn:

• framing
• leading lines
• rule of thirds
• foregrounds/backgrounds
• depth
• storytelling through angles

Editing

Another controversial opinion. Editing is half the art form. Full stop.

This is where your style develops, your story sharpens, and your images go from “nice” to “portfolio-worthy.”

Don’t just slap on a generic VSCO filter. Your photos deserve better than that.

It is extremely important to develop your unique editing style, learn how to properly edit, and spend the time doing both.

Looking to dive into editing? Snag my full adventure editing guide for epic travel photos!

As a thank you for reading my article, take 10% off with the code MERMAIDPHOTOGRAPHER at checkout.

Step 2: Niche Down for Clarity

We already talked about this in the section above, but this was my BIGGEST mistake when first starting out (and it’s something I still struggle with). 

I started out shooting everything, when I should have been focused on one thing, creating a cohesive and unique style, and really mastering those topics. 

Travel photography is massive, so choosing a lane helps your portfolio feel cohesive.

Examples:

• adventure travel
• food + travel
• cultural photography
• nature + landscapes
• urban/city travel

You can expand later, but start focused.

Here’s my niche: Adventure travel photography.

It is my goal to capture epic locations, bold experiences, and the kind of storytelling images that make people want to get outside and explore.

Step 3: Find Your Why

People buy prints that spark a memory, a story, or a feeling. Not vague sunsets. Not generic mountains. Specificity = sales.

You can overcome this by finding your unique photography style. I did a TON of work on this and found that defining why I photograph in the first place is a great way to start.

People don’t buy how you photograph, they buy why you photograph. Read that again and think about that.

BE YOU and do what feels natural and fun to photograph. The art and sales will come from there. 

Once you find your “why” and define your style, it’s time to find a unique angle that is authentic to you.

Here are some standout ideas:

• Portraits of strangers while traveling (with permission)
• Weird cultural delicacies (street food, markets, traditions)
• Astrophotography in national parks
• Moody, dramatic landscapes after storms
• Wildlife doing funny or unexpected things
• Hidden local spots only residents know about
• Seasonal moments (fall color explosions, spring blooms, first snow)
• Unique weather (fog, lightning, rainbows, ice crystals)
• Transportation shots (iconic trains, boats, scooters in motion)

The goal is to be unique and different in a sea of travel photographers and tourists with their iPhones. 

Step 3: Build Your Travel Portfolio

Before you fly across the world, build the skills locally.

Shoot Where You Live

Local parks, cafés, hiking trails, shops, food markets, events. Everything counts.

What challenged me was coming up with a prompt. Example: I want to create a vibrant and adventurous collection of hiking in Arches National Park. 

This helped me think like a photographer, not a tourist. 

I created a shot list, composition ideas, gear checklists, and editing ideas. 

Here’s → my portfolio ← if you want an example.

Collect 20 Strong Images

Not 200.

Not “all my favorite photos.”

Twenty images that show your style, your eye, and your storytelling ability.

Then build a kick-ass portfolio that brands/clients refuse to ignore!

I would also try to do these all in one style. For example, check out my Sun-Kissed Mermaid portfolio collection.

Step 4: Create a Strong Online Presence

You don’t need to be everywhere. In fact, please don’t.

Choose 1–2 platforms where you’ll show up consistently:

Website / Portfolio Page

This is your home base. It’s your “hire me” hub.

Note that you can use SEO to drive traffic to your site. In fact, this is one of my best strategies.

I have to be honest, though. These google updates and AI roll-outs are enough to raise my cortisol levels and get me on blood pressure meds.

Seriously. This photographer is stressed!

Therefore, while this is a good strategy, don’t rely on it solely.

Instagram

Good for visual storytelling + connecting with brands.

Warning: It’s brutal for photographers and it’s easy to get burnt out. I’ll post a work of art picture that took me 6 hours to capture… only for it to get 3 likes. It’s “character building”.

Pinterest

A traffic-driving machine, especially for guides, tutorials, and scenic destinations.

This is a great option, but is a content beast! I pin about 11 times a day.

This is unrealistic for any single human, so I would recommend a tool like PinGenerator to help automate things.

Fine Art America

This is great for selling prints passively, especially if you travel to iconic locations.

YouTube

This is high trust, high storytelling, high monetization potential.

It takes a lot of patience and dedication, but I’ve found YouTube to be very rewarding.

Here is my YouTube channel with adventure photography vlogs, tips, and editing tutorials.

Pick what fits you. Consistency matters more than quantity.

Step 5: Practice Storytelling (AKA: Your #1 Differentiator in 2026)

In a world where AI can generate “pretty photos,” what makes a real travel photographer stand out? Story. Emotion. POV. 

Be human! No AI can ever replicate YOU. 

Narrative shots beat postcard shots. A moment beats a landscape. A unique perspective beats perfection.

Your job is to make someone feel like they’re in the scene with you. Make them feel the chaos, the colors, the adventure, the quiet, the awe. 

That’s what sells, what gets published, and what brands and clients want.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job Yet (Real Talk)

This is where I give you the truth gently but firmly:

Most travel photographers don’t go full-time immediately. They don’t even go part-time right away.

I’m gonna hold you hand when I say this… no one is going to pay you to just travel and take photos. Sorry.

Successful travel photographers layer income streams slowly:

• client work
• stock photos
• prints
• digital products
• affiliate income
• brand deals
• teaching
• YouTube
• editorial work

It’s a marathon with a heavy backpack, not a sprint.

And that’s okay.

If you feel like you’re behind, you’re not. 

You’re on the same timeline as the rest of us gritty, stubborn travel photographers who build this career brick by brick.

I spent YEARS having imposter syndrome before I finally said, “I want this to be my career and I’m good enough to make this a career”. 

How to Make Money With Travel Photography in Realistic, Actionable Ways

Okay, here’s the part you came for… the actual, real, not-fantasy ways to make money with travel photos. 

These aren’t “quit your job tomorrow” income streams, but they are the exact paths real travel photographers use to build a sustainable career.

Let’s go through them one by one.

1. Sell Travel Prints (Fine Art America, Etsy, Your Own Shop)

Selling prints is one of the most romanticized ways to make money… and also the most misunderstood.

What Actually Sells

• Iconic, instantly recognizable destinations
• Emotion-packed scenes
• Unique moments (weather, wildlife, seasonal magic)
• Hyper-local places with loyal communities

Why Big Landscapes ≠ Instant Money

A beautiful landscape is gorgeous, but thousands of other photographers have the same shot.

Print buyers want connection. Memory. Meaning. Not just “a pretty mountain.”

2. Work With Brands

This is where a ton of modern travel photographers earn their income.

What Brands Really Want

Brands want their products out in the wild, not trapped in a studio.

In a world drowning in AI sludge, real, lived-in adventure content stands out more than ever.

Why Adventure Photographers Have an Advantage

You can take products to places normal creators can’t.

You make their product or experience look bold, purposeful, and inspiring. That’s marketing gold.

Pitching Basics

• Keep it short
• Show your top images/portfolio
• Explain how you can help THEM
• Offer a small deliverables package

Example Deliverables

• 10 lifestyle photos of their product on a trail
• 1 hero shot
• 5 vertical videos
• 10 UGC-style clips
• A short reel or TikTok
• Location-specific storytelling shots

Brands want usable content. If you can create that, you’re already valuable.

3. Sell Photos to Publications

Yes, magazines, blogs, and tourism boards STILL buy photos.

Who Buys What

• Magazines = adventure, travel, destination storytelling
• Blogs = stock-style, high-quality images connected to specific articles
• Tourism boards = local scenery, events, attractions

Why Storytelling Wins

Publications want emotion and narrative, not just “a shot of a mountain.”

If your photo feels like a mini adventure, you’re in.

How to Submit

• Look for submission guidelines
• Email small sets (5–10 images)
• Pair photos with mini stories
• Build relationships with editors

4. Stock Photography

Let’s be honest:

Stock photography won’t make you rich. But it is a nice slow burn that grows over the years.

Why You Should Still Do It

• You already have thousands of travel photos
• It costs nothing
• It builds passive income
• You can make money from images just sitting on hard drives

Think of it like a digital savings account with extremely tiny, but steady, interest.

5. Teach What You Know

Teaching is often the first reliable income for travel photographers.

You Can Teach Through:

• Local photo walks
• Private lessons
• Online workshops
• Mini-courses
• Photo-editing lessons
• Guides

If you’re even 20% better than someone else, you can teach them. People pay for clarity and confidence.

For example, here’s me giving my thoughts on zoo photography and how to make your photos look like a safari ↓

6. Affiliate Income

Travel photographers are gear nerds… so you might as well monetize it.

What to Recommend

• Cameras
• Lenses
• SD cards
• Backpacks
• Tripods
• Editing software
• Travel accessories

Here is an example of some affiliate posts I created.

My favorite travel affiliate programs are Travelpayouts and Stay22. These are good for tours, airfare, and more.

For physical products, here is my → Amazon Storefront.

I am apart of the Amazon Associate Program as well as the Amazon Influencer Program.

It’s tricky to build and audience and place all of the affiliates. But once it’s done? I make money in my sleep.

Why Trust Matters More Than Traffic

You don’t need millions of views.

You need genuine recommendations that make sense for your brand. Your honesty = conversions.

7. Sell Presets or Editing Tools

If your editing style is recognizable and consistent, presets become a natural extension of your brand.

Why This Works

People want shortcut magic. They want your look. They want their photos to feel like yours.

How It Fits in Your Ecosystem

Presets → Tutorials → Guides → Email list → Larger digital products

It’s all connected, and it builds long-term income.

For example, you can see my basic presets that I use for my photos that I sell.

Read More – How to Edit Adventure Photos

8. Create Digital Products

This is one of the most scalable ways to earn money.

Some Ideas of Photography Digital Products That Sell + Examples

• Travel guides (I blog about this)
• Adventure shot lists (I’m currently working on this!)
• Packing lists (like my hiking packing list)
• Cheat sheets (like my adventure photography cheat sheet)
• Photography workbooks (like my style journal)
• Editing guides (like my editing guide!)
• Journals and checklists (like my bucket list journal)

Some of these I sell on Lemon Squeezy, and others I offer for free for subscribers on my email list.

There is a ton of work upfront to make it, then you just market it and do small tweaks.

9. Social Media Monetization

Here’s the ultra-real talk:

TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube will not pay your rent unless you’re consistent or lucky… or both. But they can still be part of your income stack.

Ways to Monetize

• TikTok Creativity Program
• Instagram bonuses (when available)
• YouTube Partner Program
• Creator funds
• Brand sponsorships
• Affiliate links in captions

No Sugarcoating

It is VERY hard to break into.

It takes time and a mountain of persistence.

But is it possible?

Absolutely, especially when paired with the income streams above.

What No One Tells You (Hard Truths + Hopeful Perspective)

Here’s the part most people skip over because it’s not glamorous, but it matters more than any camera setting.

It takes longer than you expect

Travel photography is a slow build, not a fast track. You’re stacking skills, relationships, and images over time.

I am literally a confident, workaholic perfectionist that was originally in medical school. I’m not humble, cause I’m pretty sure I could do whatever I put my mind to.

But, this sh*t is HARD. I thought I would be wayyy further along by now.

When I finally stopped performing on the timeline of where I “should” be, I am way happier and less stressed.

Pretty photos do not equal money.

If beauty alone paid the bills, every sunset photographer on Instagram would be rich.

Pretty photos are your foundation and purpose and brand idenity.

But the hard truth? It is more about marketing your pretty photos than the pretty photos themselves.

You’re competing with AI and millions of creators

Yes. It’s true. It’s the times we live in.

But here’s the twist: AI can mimic images, but it can’t replace your lived experiences, perspective, voice, or human connection. 

The winners are the ones who stick with it

Not the most talented. Not the ones with the most expensive camera. It’s actually the ones who stay consistent long enough to get good.

Compete Against Yourself

Another thing I’ve learned… successful photographers don’t compare their work with another photographer. That’s like comparing Van Gogh to a modern graffiti artist.

Instead, compete and compare against yourself. Every time you pick up your camera, be just a little better than last time. Think about composition more. Find a new angle. Try a new setting. Shoot in manual instead of auto.

It’s those tiny perspective changes that help you grow and not get resentful towards other travel photographers.

You don’t need to be everywhere… only consistent somewhere

Pick one platform where you can show up and grow slowly but steadily. 

Scatter yourself across five apps and you’ll burn out before lunch.

I definitely am NOT telling you this from experience (I’m lying and am speaking from experience. I did 6 platforms and cried daily into my telephoto lens).

Your unique perspective has value

Lean into you – your culture, your humor, your adventures, your eye! Nobody else has your exact combination. Lean into that. That’s your brand.

There’s a whole law-of-abundance thing happening in photography. There’s more than enough room for every voice, every style, and every story, including yours.

Again, my “Why” workbook is extremely helpful here and I can’t recommend it enough.

Just to support you on your journey, take 10% off with the code MERMAIDPHOTOGRAPHER at checkout.

This took my photography from “I want a pretty shot” to “I’m getting this shot because it is meaningful, authentic to me, and aligns with my values”

…and guess which photos sell more? Yeah…

You’re building a portfolio AND a brand. Both take time.

Every trip, every photo, every edit, every small win contributes to something bigger. You’re laying bricks. Keep laying them.

It’s not easy, but it is possible, and the photographers who make it aren’t the lucky ones. They’re the persistent ones. 

They’re the ones who stay curious, stay gritty, and keep showing up even when the growth feels slow.

And you can be one of them.

There’s been so many times where I regretting quitting medical school.

Then I’m up on some summit after 6 hours of hiking with a mermaid tail and a camera. And it all just feels worth it. 

Final Advice: Build Your Own Path + Start Today

If you take anything from this guide, let it be this: pick ONE income stream and start there. 

Don’t try to build everything at once. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s ten-year highlight reel. 

Every travel photographer you admire started clueless, awkward, broke, or all three. They learned by trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

It is absolutely possible to make money as a travel photographer, just not overnight. 

This career rewards persistence, creativity, and heart more than perfection. Your story and your eye matters. Lean into your weird adventures, your humor, your way of seeing the world… that’s the magic you bring to the table.

So keep learning. Keep shooting, experimenting and showing up even when it feels slow.

You’re building something bigger than a portfolio… you’re building a path only you can walk.

And the wildest part? You’ve already started.

Optional Next Steps (If You Want to Keep Going)

If you’re feeling inspired and want some extra tools for your own journey, here are a few resources that can help:

• Want help leveling up your editing? Check out my Adventure Editing Guide.
• Trying to figure out which camera gear is worth buying? Here’s my complete travel photography gear list.
• I write on this blog frequently, giving you photo tips and photo destination guides.
• Want creative challenges, tutorials, and travel-photo tips? Join my email list for weekly inspiration.
• Want to support my adventures directly? My Fine Art America prints help fund future trips and photography projects.

Totally optional, zero pressure. Just here if you need them to help you on your travel photography journey.

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