Opinion – You possibly can work as a journey photographer with out social media – Picture Suggestions, Artistic Pictures + Journey Guides

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

Let’s focus on…

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 affix in and contribute to the content material conveyor belt.

I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling slightly outdated as a result of I can’t (or don’t wish to) sustain with the calls for of social media?

Should you’re contemplating a profession as a journey photographer, it’s certainly crossed your thoughts greater than as soon as that you have to 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 subsequent algorithm pleasing, vitality sapping instrument.

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

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

Take into consideration the photographers behind the photographs you see on industrial accounts or branded content material for ads, editorials and printed supplies. Concerning the journey writers typing up the tales and guides in magazines, or the inventive groups producing visible advertising and marketing campaigns for tourism manufacturers.

They’re working onerous, making a dwelling and furthering their careers with out the strain of posting a reasonably photograph to Instagram each day. There could be a glad medium, a world through which you’re employed as a journey photographer with function, tasks, deadlines and deliverables. The place you receives a commission to {photograph} locations, work to inventive briefs and use your abilities reasonably than sitting, refreshing the display and hoping your new put up will get likes or a excessive engagement charge.

Should you’re a long-time follower or reader of The Wandering Lens, you might have seen (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 can be launched in different types/shops all through 2023/24. A lot of the tasks required lengthy days on the highway driving, photographing, researching and writing. Whereas the images and written content material was for each tourism advertising and marketing 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 at all times share every thing I create.

Whereas we generally persuade ourselves that everybody who’s sharing on social media have to be busier, higher or have a schedule full of inventive tourism campaigns – generally it’s those that really aren’t sharing which are doing lots of the work behind the scenes. Working as a journey photographer for purchasers, for publications, or for tasks that aren’t linked 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 slightly bitter about the truth that it’s stopped lots of proficient folks following their desires as a result of they imagine they aren’t ok or in style sufficient.

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

Additionally, simply to notice, due to how a lot content material is required by companies, manufacturers and tourism boards, a information of social media may be helpful when capturing work in your purchasers. You could be briefed to compile 20 photographs for social media use that highlights the outside experiences of a selected vacation spot. Figuring out what folks click on on, like and have interaction with is essential intel. Nonetheless, once more, this will contain searching and researching, not that you simply personally must be posting in your social media accounts. You possibly can merely create the images, ship them to your consumer and their advertising and marketing crew will then share on the related accounts.

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

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

I strongly imagine you possibly can type a profession as a journey photographer with a curated portfolio {of professional} work and an e 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 pictures to contribute to conservation and environmental tasks, to become involved in thrilling initiatives and to encourage others to see the world and life stay to the fullest.

With printed work in Lonely Planet, The Huffington Publish, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and extra, plus a tourism consumer record seen right here, I can confidently say that it’s attainable to get printed, acquire work on inventive tourism campaigns and construct longevity within the trade with out reputation on social media. Most of my consumer work doesn’t contain sharing content material on social media, I’m producing the images for his or her enterprise or capturing imagery to be printed as photograph 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 individual on social media. Extra 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 possibly can work with editors and get printed by pitching your story/characteristic concepts and introducing them to your images. The Freelance Journey Photographer Course has templates I’ve personally used and all the recommendation you want on approaching editors in the appropriate method.

Artistic Campaigns: As soon as you possibly can show your abilities as a journey photographer and supply your purchasers one thing visually refreshing, you’re opening your self as much as the probabilities 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 and marketing professionals and the house owners of tourism companies to find what’s attainable.

Photographic Companies: Life as a journey photographer doesn’t should imply you’re on the highway 365days a yr, yow will discover work with native tourism companies, lodging shops and expertise suppliers. All of them want imagery to advertise and showcase their choices, as a journey photographer, you’ll know the best way to create a library of pictures to assist spotlight this. Pricing your work and figuring out the best way to ship skilled outcomes and licencing phrases is essential.

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

As a photographer, editor and educator, my intention is to lift the bar within the tourism trade and proceed to help 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 trade quickly!

Enrolments to the subsequent spherical of The Freelance Journey Photographer Course are closing quickly. Inside this course I share every thing I learn about creating revenue streams and gaining work as a journey photographer. The course can be beginning on February 6^th with weekly modules launched for eight weeks on the subjects of self-promotion for photographers, portfolio growth, journey trade insights, pricing your companies as a photographer, getting printed and a lot extra. Each single workbook or bonus information may 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 for those who like!

I’m at all times glad to reply questions by way of e mail, get in contact and say whats up by way of whats up@thewanderinglens.com.

Additionally, I’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback beneath!

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