“The moment you start to take your camera out and point it at things, you start to realize that there’s a story everywhere." – Henry Cartier-Bresson

When approached more intentionally than the typical Snapchat selfie, photography can be a fun way to encourage students to observe their surroundings more acutely when they travel with you. It can inspire a stronger sense of curiosity and a powerful connection with the world around us. Details—including cultural nuances and the complexities of a place and its people—can become more apparent when students purposely seek out stories to capture through their lens. And now, students can easily become visual storytellers with the smartphone in their pocket, without a need for fancy tripods or bulky DSLR cameras.

Here are Six tips for budding travel photographers:

1. Always be respectful. This is crucial, especially when photographing people or culturally sensitive places or events. Always ask permission and establish a connection before snapping a photo. Be mindful of situations in which a camera might not be welcome at all. 

2. Find a story. Look deeper at the scene around you and seek out the story. Give it some thought: How can you capture not only the place, but the atmosphere, the emotion, the details that tie the scene to this particular place and moment in time, and the interactions that bring the story to life? Storytelling can be contained within one image or through a series.

3. Experiment with framing. Can you frame a picture differently by looking through a window, from an open doorway, or by moving slightly one way or another to change the angle? Sometimes a tiny shift can make a dramatic difference.

4. Remember the rules. The standard rule of thirds in photography is useful to create an appealing composition. If you divide the frame into an imaginary 3x3 grid, the main subject should be placed along the lines or at their intersections.

5. Consider the light. Sunrise and sunset bring out softer colors, while the mid-day sun might leave harsh shadows on an image. If indoors, natural light is most often better than artificial.

6. Practice with purpose. Taking (or as photographer Ansel Adams said, “making”) the perfect photograph is an art, but with practice, we can all capture a story and a sense of place in a more dynamic way than a standard shot of the Colosseum or Big Ben. 

Themes for Storytelling Through Photography Across the EdOdyssey World

Consider giving your students a creative assignment. Depending on where you are traveling and what you hope your students accomplish during their trip, you might come up with a theme of your own that fits snuggly with your academic objectives, but here’s a few ideas. These themes below can help guide the storytelling efforts of your student photographers, and while we’ve tied each of them to one of our locations, they are applicable in any destination:

THEME: Embracing Diversity Through Portraits

Let’s start with what is, perhaps, the most difficult assignment of all—because it requires trust: Portraits. When photographing a person, permission is essential. Once permission is granted, the best portraits show that there’s a sense of connection between the photographer and their subject. This can be established through light conversation or, if there’s an openness, by learning more about the person’s background, personal history, or interests. If there’s a language barrier, sometimes smiles work, along with other forms of warm body language. Students can also try carrying a card with a translation that explains their assignment. A portrait should give a sense of the person beyond their physical self. It should tie in with their story. For example, a market vendor might be standing behind her stall or next to a mural wall showing the name of the market. The background should be clear of clutter unless it’s part of the story so that the focus is clearly on the person. Students should also consider whether the full body will be included in the portrait or not. 

Example: Canada is known for its blend of ethnicities, languages, and traditions which means students might encounter, and be able to capture, this wonderful cultural diversity. There’s wide recognition of the importance of representation and inclusion in the arts, so this project has the potential to resonate with people. Canadians have a reputation for being open, friendly, and approachable, plus there is no natural language barrier, so forming a connection with locals here may be easier to achieve than in some other places. Festivals, markets, and community events offer dynamic settings for portrait photography, including potential opportunities to capture people in traditional dress if, of course, they are open to this. 

THEME: Capturing Community Spirit

This theme encourages students to look for the essence of community. What are the moments—for example, the sounds of celebration, quiet interactions between neighbors, a shared meal, the smell of street food that brings people together, the fans singing at a soccer game—that embody a sense of community where you’re traveling? Ask students to consider how they can capture what makes community spirit here different from what community spirit feels like at home. These photographs are often better candid than posed, as a way to capture the authentic connections and genuine emotions that people feel among others in their community. 

Example: There are some vibrant places in Chile where students can focus on capturing community spirit, from the mural-decorated streets of Valparaíso to the local farmer’s markets in Santiago. Whether it’s the melodies of traditional Chilean bands performing cueca and captivating a crowd or shoppers going through the daily task of haggling good-naturedly over market prices, a focus on interactions, movements, expressions, and atmosphere will help the sense of community live on through a photograph.  

THEME: The Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

The interplay between the ancient and the modern can tell us a lot about a place and the people who live there, including the ways that history has shaped their lives, and in some cases, continues to do so. Here, students will want to put their observation hats on again and look for ways that tradition lives on even while surrounded by our current everyday life. They should seek out the contrasts, and how these opposites coexist. How do the new and old mingle? This can be spotted in many places: in the architecture, in fashion, in the goods for sale at markets, at festivals dedicated to cultural heritage, and in street scenes of everyday life—as simple as someone talking on a smartphone walking past a historic building.  

Example: China has many juxtapositions of the country’s rich cultural heritage with the explosion of modernity in recent decades. Students might spot this in the ancient hutongs and alleyways of Beijing where futuristic skyscrapers rise up in the distance. They might spot it in Shanghai’s Yu Garden with its ancient landscape design and koi ponds just a short distance from the Oriental Pearl Tower. In Xi’an, the ancient city wall is surrounded by modern shops and cafes. Or students might stumble on a group practicing Tai Chi in a park next to a group of local students sitting together playing games on their phones. 

THEME: Storytelling Through Landscapes and Folklore

We can easily take photos of beautiful landscapes—or we can dig deeper and try to capture these landscapes in the context of the narratives that are tied to that land, the myths and legends associated with a place. Landscapes are often connected to the identity of a location and to the local beliefs of the community. What are the elements of the landscape—sacred trees, uniquely formed rocks, for example—that hold deeper meaning? Is there a space that is considered to be haunted, or something in the land that is said to embody the spirits of ancestors? Capturing this can be a challenge in creativity, so see what your students come up with when given the task! They might play with light to create drama, use each other as models, focus in on small details, use special camera effects (slow shutter speed, for example) to capture someone moving across the landscape in a blur like a paranormal presence, or use clever framing to bring a sense of wonder to the composition. 

Example: There are countless legends related to the landscape in Ireland, as well as stunning scenery. Sometimes there’s even a lucky misty morning to evoke the ethereal. Consider the rugged yet majestic Cliffs of Moher in the Atlantic, famous for their tales of the mythical seal people, the selkies, who live in the waters below. Or Giant’s Causeway where the legend of Finn McCool lives on—the giant who built the causeway while in conflict with a rival. The Hill of Tara—considered one of the most sacred sites in Ireland—is another example.

THEME: Food as an Expression of Culture

Food photography and travel photography can go hand in hand. There are many ways to approach this subject, but the main difference between simple food photography and food photography in the context of travel is the story. How can students capture a food story on their journeys? Photographs can include human elements—the hand of a chef chopping local ingredients; it can include scenery—harvesting potatoes in the Andes mountains; or it can be a close-up of a meal if there’s a story there - for example, a national dish, or a meal made with indigenous ingredients. Students can consider the process of preparing a meal and the rituals of eating that are particular to the culture. A cooking class with a local chef, which is something we organize for many of our student groups, is a wonderful place to experiment with this type of photography.

Example: Imagine your students taking photos during a handmade pasta class in Italy, or capturing the importance of gathering around food as a social activity, or the morning ritual of visiting a bar for a quick caffeine fix. Students might also visit a local market in Florence, especially at a time of year when there’s special food in the limelight. For example, during carnival season, Schiacciata alla Fiorentina makes an appearance; maybe students can find an opportunity to photograph this sweet cake being stencilled with its signature powdered sugar lily symbol. Students might also be able to capture the grape harvest in Tuscany, the artisanal production of mozzarella in Campagnia, pizza-making in Naples, or the balsamic vinegar production in Bologna.

THEME: The Art of Minimalism…and Small Details

Sometimes the best way to capture the essence of a travel experience, or a culture, through a camera lens is to seek out simplicity. This is the art of minimalism, focusing on subtle elements of a scene that play into a more complex story. There’s a big emphasis on negative space here, on clean lines, and lack of clutter in an image. These photographs shake off the sensory overload and narrow in on the use of light, shadow, framing, and distraction-free scenes. Students can look for shapes or patterns that have a strong connection to the culture. Along with this art of minimalism, they might be encouraged to focus in on detail, zero in on something that speaks to this particular location that you wouldn’t easily spot elsewhere so that from this small detail, a viewer could instantly recognize where you are likely to be in the world.  

Example: We love Japan when it comes to minimalism. In Japanese culture, there’s a concept called “ma” which refers to the space between objects. There’s also an ancient cultural value of tranquility which ties in with minimalism. The sleek lines of Tokyo skyscrapers or the contours of traditional zen gardens can also be captured in this way. Great for documenting small details is craft, which is an important part of Japanese culture: a close-up look of a hand shaping a piece of pottery on a wheel, or zooming in on the process of kimono-making. In the spring, a student might capture a single cherry blossom floating in a pond. Steam rising from tea during a tea ceremony or an uncluttered scene from an ikebana (or flower-arranging) class could suit this assignment too. 

THEME: Exploring Ancestral Roots

This is a theme that encourages students to delve into the history, traditions, and identities that shape the places they’re exploring. They can capture different elements of culture passed down through generations: ways of living, crafts, festivals, rituals, methods of gardening, and so much more. It could also include taking an interest in ancestral lands and places considered sacred, old family homes, traditional dress, and ceremonies. Students should let their photographic stories for this theme explore how communities maintain ties to their past. Again, this is a topic that should be pursued with great respect for those telling their stories, and students should engage with the people who are willing to share their history and traditions before jumping in to capture what they see. These photographs can play a small role in helping to preserve these legacies.   

Example: The rich indigenous history in Peru, along with its beautiful landscapes make it a wonderful place for students to explore cultural heritage through photography. They can look at traditional weaving or farming as practiced by the Incan communities, the vibrant colors and patterns of traditional dress, festivals like Inti Raymi which celebrates the Incan sun god, the intricate designs of Moche pottery, or traditional fishing practices in the coastal villages where fishermen can be seen casting their nets or repairing their boats. 

THEME: Festivals vs. Everyday Life

In this theme, the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary comes to life as students seek out the essence of a place during both quiet, routine moments of the daily lives of residents, and the most joyful, often very colorful, festive cultural celebrations. Collected together, these images can create a portfolio of observations that show a more well-rounded, holistic version of a culture. This is where the storytelling lies, as students think about how these different layers of life connect. They could explore the transformation of a town square, showing how public spaces like these act as both stages for daily life and gathering points for celebration. They could observe the contrast between everyday streetwear and intricate costumes. Or they could document the change of energy in a certain space depending on the time of year in which it is visited—for example, a market that is decorated for Christmas versus what it looks and feels like on an ordinary day. 

Example: Spain is well known for its lively festivals like La Tomatina, Semana Santa, and Carnival which attract visitors from around the globe. These festivals are often filled with color, teeming with energy and excitement, and offer many opportunities to capture the joy of celebration. Everyday life can also be captured in public spaces like Barcelona’s busy food markets and quiet plazas. Students will spot people stopping to chat with neighbors in the street, sip a coffee at a cafe with sidewalk seating, a bag with a baguette hanging from a door knob each morning, or an elderly woman leaning through an open window of a home just stopping to observe the streets below.  

THEME: History in the Context of Contemporary Life

In all of the places we travel, remnants of history coexist with the present. They’re not just tucked away in museums but are often woven within the streets and the architecture, hidden in plain sight in places that it’s often easy to pass by without thinking twice. Challenge students to find the stories, to photograph the layers between the past and modern day life. Students could think about the ways in which history has played a role in shaping our contemporary lives and creatively capture the connections. They might find a modern cafe with a centuries-old facade for example, or an ancient cemetery nestled in the middle of a bustling city. 

Example: There are snippets of history to spot everywhere you go in The United Kingdom, from the grand palaces in London, to the ancient Roman Walls in York, to the ruins of castles in the countryside. Walk around East London where the street signs are in Bengali alongside English, reflecting the area’s past that is still very much alive. Seek out the old brickwork of Victorian-era architecture that blends in with the sleek modern King’s Cross train station. Head to a rural area where traditional village fetes draw on historical traditions or watch the Highland Games in Scotland where centuries-old customs live on. There are many examples of historical spaces being re-purposed in the UK, from old power stations turned art galleries to former churches turned cafes. 

THEME: Other Perspectives of Home

Ask students to reflect on the idea of “home” and how that definition can vary widely depending on where in the world they are traveling. By exploring the concept of home through the eyes of others, students will understand how this contrasts or aligns with their own thoughts. They may come across physical homes that are very different from their own, but also learn from locals which intangible elements of “home” are most important to them. They might look at home in the context of city life versus suburbia, home as it interplays with the local landscape of mountains beaches farms, or even the concept of nomadic communities or mobile homes. 

Example: Students traveling domestically can also look at their world through the lens of a travel photographer. What is “home” to the student in one area of the United States may be completely different from how someone in a different area would define home. Students should look at the idea of home through the diverse communities and perspectives that shape American identity, capturing insights into the nuances of these different cultures and identities. This is a theme that encourages students to look both outward with fresh eyes at the world around them, and to reflect inwardly on what home means to them personally.

Tips for Reflecting with your Students 

After students have had a chance to explore their location through photography based on a given theme, gather them together to share and reflect. Let students share the photos they feel best represent the theme and talk about them among the group. 

• Focus on Storytelling Over Technique. You can ask how elements like lighting, composition, and color impacted the student’s ability to take photographs they were happy with, but unless this is specifically for a photography class, give the technical aspects of the photographs less attention than the student’s ability to capture a story.

• Tell The Stories in Words Too. Encourage students to share the stories that go along with their photos. This can be within the group, or they could be asked to assemble their photos on a blog or in a document along with some reflective text. Students can focus on an individual image or a series that explores the theme.

• Explore in Greater Depth. Take the group deeper into the theme with follow-up discussion questions: 

• Was there anything that surprised you about the people or places you photographed? 

• Did you notice any details in your photographs later that you didn’t purposely capture? 

• Did taking photographs make you look at the world around you differently? If so, how so? 

• What were some of the challenges you faced while taking part in this project? How did you overcome these obstacles? 

• Share some of the ways you engaged with locals while you were working on this project. 

• Talk about how you approached a subject differently for this project than you would have if you were just sharing your images on social media.

• Compile the Images. Consider compiling the photos from different students who tackled the same theme into a gallery of images so they can compare and contrast their different approaches to the same theme. Ask students to talk about how the theme comes together even more with the combination of their different perspectives.