Opinion – You can work as a journey photographer with out social media – Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides

Can you might have a journey images profession with out social media fame?

Let’s talk about…

In a world the place content material is reminding us each day that we aren’t doing sufficient, seeing sufficient, sharing sufficient or working onerous sufficient, we have to cease and remind ourselves, why are we letting this invisible (however all too seen) strain zap our vitality and productiveness?

Social media has created a monster of types, fueling our private insecurities, unraveling a worry of lacking out, nearly pushing and prodding us to hitch in and contribute to the content material conveyor belt.

I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling a bit previous as a result of I can’t (or don’t need to) sustain with the calls for of social media?

If you’re contemplating a profession as a journey photographer, it’s certainly crossed your thoughts greater than as soon as that it’s essential be on social media. You must have followers, be sharing common content material, creating reels, tales, carousels and goodness is aware of what else additionally turns into the following algorithm pleasing, vitality sapping software.

I really like a humorous video, dreamy vacation spot publish or cute canine picture as a lot as the following particular person and know social media can completely be loved in small doses, however when it begins to seep into our ideas publish by publish, it’s vital to separate the enjoyable and social half, with the affect on our private {and professional} growth. With the pace at which content material travels, information is launched and new content material is produced, it’s little marvel why all of us really feel a bit left behind and overwhelmed.

Let’s chat in regards to the various when it comes to journey images and dealing in tourism as a artistic. An various that also exists, however isn’t as seen as a result of effectively…it’s not on social media.

Think in regards to the photographers behind the photographs you see on industrial accounts or branded content material for commercials, editorials and printed supplies. About the journey writers typing up the tales and guides in magazines, or the artistic groups producing visible advertising campaigns for tourism manufacturers.

They’re working onerous, making a residing and furthering their careers with out the strain of posting a fairly picture to Instagram each day. There generally is a comfortable medium, a world wherein you’re employed as a journey photographer with function, tasks, deadlines and deliverables. Where you receives a commission to {photograph} locations, work to artistic briefs and use your abilities somewhat than sitting, refreshing the display and hoping your new publish will get likes or a excessive engagement fee.

If you’re a long-time follower or reader of The Wandering Lens, you will have observed (or not, as a result of there are such a lot of different issues to view on-line!), that I didn’t share a lot in 2022, or 2021 for that matter. I used to be really nonetheless travelling and dealing, however for tasks that didn’t require social media content material, or that shall be launched in different kinds/shops all through 2023/24. Most of the tasks required lengthy days on the highway driving, photographing, researching and writing. While the pictures and written content material was for each tourism advertising functions and journey associated publications, it wasn’t for The Wandering Lens as I nonetheless work as a full-time freelance journey photographer and don’t all the time share every little thing I create.

While we generally persuade ourselves that everybody who’s sharing on social media should be busier, higher or have a schedule crammed with artistic tourism campaigns – generally it’s those that really aren’t sharing which can be doing loads of the work behind the scenes. Working as a journey photographer for purchasers, for publications, or for tasks that aren’t related to their Instagram deal with.

I’ll sound bitter about social media, however really, I’m not, and I really like the way it’s helped me create The Wandering Lens group through the years. I’m solely a bit bitter about the truth that it’s stopped loads of gifted folks following their goals as a result of they consider they aren’t ok or standard sufficient.

Now, after all social media performs an element when you’re hoping to work in content material creation or as an influencer and I’m on no account discounting this kind of work. For a few of us although, this stage of sharing, private branding and infinite content material creation isn’t what we turn out to be a journey photographer for. There are so many gifted photographers who do have hundreds of followers and are along with their social media work, are producing inspiring work for his or her purchasers. Depending on the kind of purchasers you’re aiming to work with, they could want you share to social media when engaged on a marketing campaign, or they could simply want for the content material to be created for their very own use. My level is, that when you don’t love sharing by way of social media, this shouldn’t be the rationale you don’t pursue work as a journey photographer.

Also, simply to notice, due to how a lot content material is required by companies, manufacturers and tourism boards, a information of social media will be helpful when capturing work on your purchasers. You could also be briefed to compile 20 photos for social media use that highlights the out of doors experiences of a selected vacation spot. Knowing what folks click on on, like and interact with is essential intel. However, once more, this could contain searching and researching, not that you simply personally have to be posting in your social media accounts. You can merely create the pictures, ship them to your consumer and their advertising staff will then share on the related accounts.

When I began my profession in journey images, Myspace was nonetheless the factor Facebook was simply getting off the bottom. I mailed journey journal editors little booklets of my work within the publish and postcards…precise snail mail. Over the years although, I progressed to emailing. I do know you’re most likely tremendous impressed with my means to maintain up with know-how!

I’m sharing this as a result of a easy electronic mail, pitch or dialog has led to a few of my most enjoyable adventures as a journey photographer.

I strongly consider you’ll be able to type a profession as a journey photographer with a curated portfolio {of professional} work and an electronic mail account. I do know this as a result of I’ve achieved it, for 17years. Not solely can you discover work, you should utilize your images to contribute to conservation and environmental tasks, to get entangled in thrilling initiatives and to encourage others to see the world and life stay to the fullest.

With revealed work in Lonely Planet, The Huffington Post, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and extra, plus a tourism consumer checklist seen right here, I can confidently say that it’s doable to get revealed, acquire work on artistic tourism campaigns and construct longevity within the business with out recognition on social media. Most of my consumer work doesn’t contain sharing content material on social media, I’m producing the pictures for his or her enterprise or capturing imagery to be revealed as picture options or alongside editorial content material.

Avenues to work as a journey photographer with out social media –

Editorial: Take a peek on the bylines of your favorite journey publications then Google or attempt to discover that particular person on social media. More typically that not, they’ll have a portfolio web site and small following on social media the place they share behind the scenes content material or not a lot in any respect. You can work with editors and get revealed by pitching your story/characteristic concepts and introducing them to your images. The Freelance Travel Photographer Course has templates I’ve personally used and all the recommendation you want on approaching editors in the proper manner.

Creative Campaigns: Once you’ll be able to show your abilities as a journey photographer and supply your purchasers one thing visually refreshing, you’re opening your self as much as the chances of engaged on campaigns. Create an internet site that highlights your finest work, begin to community with related purchasers and introduce your self to companies, advertising professionals and the homeowners of tourism companies to find what’s doable.

Photographic Services: Life as a journey photographer doesn’t should imply you’re on the highway 365days a 12 months, yow will discover work with native tourism companies, lodging shops and expertise suppliers. They all want imagery to advertise and showcase their choices, as a journey photographer, you’ll know easy methods to create a library of images to assist spotlight this. Pricing your work and understanding easy methods to ship skilled outcomes and licencing phrases is essential.

I can ramble on about this matter all day as a result of I’m so enthusiastic about forging a journey images profession that fits you, however you’ve most likely received someplace to be! I hope my opinion, that it’s doable to work as a journey photographer with out social media fame, has struck a chord and sparked a bit fireplace in your artistic ambitions.

As a photographer, editor and educator, my goal is to boost the bar within the tourism business and proceed to assist different photographers of their journey to work as a journey photographer – it’s a such a rewarding profession path and I hope you’ll be a part of me within the business quickly!

Enrolments to the following spherical of The Freelance Travel Photographer Course are closing quickly. Within this course I share every little thing I find out about creating earnings streams and gaining work as a journey photographer. The course shall be beginning on February 6^th with weekly modules launched for eight weeks on the subjects of self-promotion for photographers, portfolio growth, journey business insights, pricing your companies as a photographer, getting revealed and a lot extra. Every single workbook or bonus information will be downloaded so that you can entry everytime you want. There’s no strain to finish the course in eight weeks, it’s all yours to make use of over eight months or eight years when you like!

I’m all the time comfortable to reply questions by way of electronic mail, get in contact and say hey by way of hey@thewanderinglens.com.

Also, I’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback under!

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