This guide will equip you with the essential knowledge and a few tips to aid planning a photography roadtrip that maximizes your creative output and minimizes logistical headaches. Whether you’re chasing the golden hour across National Parks or seeking urban textures in vibrant cities, mastering the art of photography roadtrip planning is your first step to capturing images that resonate.
A photography roadtrip is more than just a journey. It’s a curated experience designed to immerse you in stunning landscapes and capture breathtaking moments. The freedom of the open road combined with the pursuit of the perfect shot offers unparalleled creative fulfillment. But turning that dream trip into a photographic reality requires meticulous planning. From choosing your route and gear to understanding light and location, every detail contributes to the success of your visual storytelling.
Defining Your Photographic Vision and Route
Kicking off a photography roadtrip demands one of two things:
- knowing what you want to photograph, or
- knowing where you want to photograph
Knowing your goals shapes everything else you plan for the journey. This early vision sets the stage for a truly memorable trip, filled with the images you dream of making.
Crafting Your Photographic Goals
What kind of pictures do you want to create on this adventure? Do you, like us, love sweeping landscapes, or are you drawn to candid street scenes? Maybe wildlife photography calls to you, or you prefer capturing portraits in unique settings. Pinpointing your favourite photography genres guides your route, gear choices and even when you wake up.
Tip: Get inspired! Start a mood board or a Pinterest board. Fill it with the kinds of photography you hope to capture on your photography roadtrip. This visual guide will keep your goals front and center.
Researching Iconic and Unusual Locations
The world is full of amazing spots for stunning photos. You could visit famous places like the The Lake District National Park or the snowy mountain ranges of Patagonia. These offer incredible views, but let’s not get carried away here. In this article we will plan based upon driving to a location. If you’re going further afield the same premise applies. However, there are a few more caveats, like limited luggage allowance on planes, for example.
Mapping Your Itinerary and Logistics
Planning your route helps make sure you hit all your key spots. Figure out a realistic daily driving distance. Remember to allow plenty of time for shooting photos, eating and getting some rest. Figure out if you will be staying in hotels, camp sites or sleeping in your vehicle. Each will have specifics related to them, like check in and check out times, availability and safety and security. Always check for peak travel seasons. Road closures can also happen, so plan for those too.
Tip: Use online mapping tools that let you add many stops. Try to group locations that offer different photo chances close together. This saves driving time and gives you more creative moments.
Tip 2: When grouping locations find ones that may be suitable in different weather conditions or different times of the day. For example, a waterfall in a gorge may work as a location even during midday sun, meaning you aren’t solely waiting for sunrise or sunset hours.
Browse, Check…Browse Some More
When i have a destination in mind I will spend a significant amount of time on my computer researching. For example, I will generally have two or three different browser windows open:
- One will be the map, showing the route, location or expanded location area.
- One will be images of places along the route or location area.
- One will be general web searches for towns, places or photos that I like in the images window.
My general rule is to find 5 really good photos online of a particular location, with several reviews and maybe a blog entry describing how they got to the location. A photo from a car park or pull in is not a big concern for detailed location information. However, planning is required where a cool location is off the beaten path, such as a waterfall, that is not visited by a constant stream of coach parties. If there are GPS coordinates then even better! MrsFaceless and I do have, and hike with, a GPS navigator when it’s the path less travelled. Just. In. Case.
Round And About
Once you have your location and a few places to visit, expand the search a little. There is nothing more annoying that finding the killer location is a few miles outside your search. Again. Been there. Done that. Grrrr.
Likewise, study the route to check for points of interest as you drive to and from your home. This not only provides photo opportunities but breaks up the journey.
Tip: Search for blogs that have articles about the area. They may have local knowledge or detail locations that don’t appear in searches.
2. Essential Photography Gear
A successful photography roadtrip relies on having the right tools. Picking the best items ensures you’re ready for any shot. Let’s look at what you’ll need to pack to capture amazing images.
Hit The Load Jack
As much as we’d like to take everything including the kitchen sink, for most of us that’s not possible. Unless, of course, you have a more hardcore truck or van based rig, fully kitted out will all mod-cons. If you haven’t heard of these guys then, wow – hey EarthRoamer, get in touch! The rest of us make do with either a daily driver or a lightly* modified SUV. Efficient packing helps enormously, as do features like a roof rack, draw systems or crates, to keep items from moving too much in transit. Ultimately, you are unlikely to be able to take everything you want whilst not overloading the vehicle. Remember safety. Especially if you are going off road and the vehicle may be subject to off camber or bouncy/washboard roads.
*lightly does not necessarily mean cheaply!
The Core Kit
It matters not whether you have a DSLR or mirrorless. But do think about which lenses will work best if you have a selection and cannot take them all.
- A wide-angle lens is perfect for big landscapes.
- A telephoto lens helps you get close to wildlife or distant details.
- Prime lenses, with a fixed focal length, offer amazing sharpness for specific shots.
A versatile zoom lens in the range of 24-70mm is a great all-around option for travel.
Tripods, Filters and Other Accessories
We like our tripods. Both MrsFaceless and I use Induro carbon fibre tripods with Induro ballheads. This allow us to set up a composition then sit back and relax waiting for the right light. They’re also vital for long exposures, especially at dawn or dusk (Golden Hour or Blue Hour especially) or for those occasions when bracketing or stacking is required. Don’t forget filters either. A polarizer can make skies pop and reduce glare. Neutral Density (ND) filters help you shoot in bright light or create silky water effects. These small items make a big difference in your photography.
Tip: Look for a travel tripod that’s both light and stable, ideally also fitting in a suitcase for those that travel that way. It should be easy to set up and pack away quickly. This makes a huge difference when you’re moving between locations often.
Power, Storage, and Protection
Running out of battery power or storage is a photographer’s nightmare. Been there. Done that. Always bring extra batteries for your camera. A portable power bank can charge small devices or even your camera in a pinch. I have also set up a recharging system in our car that can handle quite a lot – maybe i’ll write about that in the future.
Pack plenty of memory cards, because RAW files take up a lot of space. You do shoot RAW, right? A modern camera can easily fill 64GB of space in a single day of shooting. Keep your gear safe from bumps and bad weather with waterproof bags or padded cases.
3. Mastering Light and Composition on the Go
Great photos are often about light and how you arrange elements in your frame. On a photography roadtrip, these artistic skills are key where you’ll encounter all sorts of conditions. Knowing how to use them will make your pictures truly stand out.
Understanding the Golden Hour and Blue Hour
Light makes or breaks a photograph. The “golden hour” right after sunrise and before sunset bathes everything in soft, warm light and this light adds depth and magic to any scene. The “blue hour” happens just before sunrise and after sunset and gives you cool, ambient light perfect for cityscapes or moody landscapes. Plan your shoots around these times for the best results.
Tip: Grab a photo planning app like PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE). These apps accurately predict sunrise, sunset, and golden/blue hour times for any spot you visit. They are super helpful for road trip planning.
Creative Composition Techniques for Diverse Scenes
Composition is how you arrange things in your photo. Try the rule of thirds, placing your subject off-center for more interest. Look for leading lines, like winding roads or rivers, to draw the viewer’s eye. Symmetry can create stunning, balanced images. You can also use natural frames, like archways or tree branches, to highlight your subject. These simple tricks work in any setting you find on your trip.
Adapting to Changing Weather Conditions
Weather on a roadtrip is always a toss-up. Don’t let rain, fog, or harsh sun stop you. Overcast days offer soft, even light. Fog adds mystery, while rain can make colours vibrant. Even harsh sunlight can create strong shadows for dramatic effects. Learn to use these conditions to your advantage. A little planning goes a long way.
Tip: Always pack microfiber cloths to keep your lenses clean and dry. If you expect a lot of challenging weather, consider using a weather-sealed camera and lenses, or a camera jacket for extra protection.
4. Planning for the Unexpected and Staying Safe
Roadtrips are amazing, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Being ready for problems keeps your photography roadtrip fun and safe. Thinking ahead about vehicle needs and personal safety is the smart thing to do. This way, you can focus more on taking pictures and less on worries.
Vehicle Preparation and Roadside Essentials
Before you hit the road, give your vehicle a good check-up. Make sure the oil is fresh, tyres are good and all fluids are topped off. Pack an emergency kit for your car. This should include jumper cables or box, a torch and basic tools. Know how to change a tyre too and ensure you have the tools to do so as part of your toolkit. All of your tyres, including the spare, should always be properly inflated and it doesn’t hurt to carry a tyre pump and puncture repair kit if you are travelling away from civilization.
Tip: Always remember, you may need to be the one to get yourself out, or back within cellular service to call for help.
Navigation and Communication Strategies
Without getting too technical, GPS on a cell phone generally is not GPS – it’s cell tower triangulation. So, whilst it is handy for some, don’t rely on it alone. About 20% of rural areas in the US still have limited or no cell service. Therefore, a sensible backup is to carry physical maps of your route. Likewise, even if you have a proper satellite navigation device, that too may encounter issues. After all, these devices are electronic and we all know how they can fail with no warning at the most inopportune times. When spending a lot of time ‘off-grid’ then consider a satellite dish or messenger which are widely available and can also be a lifesaver in remote spots. Staying connected, even minimally, is key.
Food And Drink
This may be obvious, but when travelling always ensure that you have water and atleast some snacks in the car. Enough to last you and get you to the next store, with a margin of safety should you be delayed. We travel with a Scepter water jerry can in addition to general bottles of water and other drinks in our cooler. Planning a photography roadtrip means planning to be safe should you be stranded somewhere for a few hours or even days.
Personal Safety and Environmental Awareness
First and foremost, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re alone or in new places. Trust your gut. Inform friends or family of your roadtrip plans and check in regularly. When I travel alone, MrsFaceless insists that i have my cell phone with me at all times and that tracking is enabled. With this feature she can check where I am. This gives her peace of mind. When photographing wildlife keep a safe distance. Finally, always respect local rules.
Tip: Clean up after yourself and leave no trace of your visit. Except footprints!
5. Post-Trip Workflow: Editing and Sharing Your Roadtrip Memories
The adventure doesn’t end when you get home. The post-trip workflow is where your photos truly come to life. Organizing and editing your images makes them shine. Then, sharing your photography roadtrip story lets others experience your journey too.
Efficient Photo Culling and Organization
After taking thousands of photos, the first step is to pick the best ones. Develop a system for quickly reviewing and selecting your favourite shots. Whilst MrsFaceless and I don;t use a star system or similar, we do create a logical and scaleable folder structure, with clear and concise naming conventions. This makes finding specific photos much easier later on.
Tip: Backup your photos right away when you get home. Use an external hard drive, NAS or cloud storage if you trust that method. This protects your precious memories from any accidents.
Sharing Your Photography Roadtrip Story
Your photos tell a story. Consider printing your favourite shots and hanging them around your house, like we do. They are a great reminder of good times! A compelling narrative makes your images even more powerful.
Tip: Think about creating a visual story around your photography roadtrip. Show the journey, the people and the moments that truly made it special.
Bringing Your Photography Roadtrip to Life
Planning a photography roadtrip blends your creative ideas with smart logistics. By getting your route ready, knowing your gear, understanding light and staying safe, you build a strong base for success. Remember, being flexible is super important. Sometimes, the best photos happen when you least expect them. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and let your lens capture the amazing stories of the open road. Start planning your next photo adventure today!