Travel Portrait Photography: Best Practices and Ethical Considerations
For those who can’t be without their camera when they travel, travel portrait photography offers an enriching way to capture the essence of different cultures and the individuals that constitute them.
This type of photography involves capturing images of people in various settings as you explore different parts of the world. A travel photographer often gets the privilege to connect with diverse communities, learn about their customs, and tell individual people’s stories through their visual art.
However, it’s crucial to ensure that this practice is carried out with integrity and respect.
As a photographer, you need to be mindful of the ethical aspects of your practice and uphold the dignity and agency of your subjects above all. This involves gaining their consent for a portrait, respecting local customs, and engaging with subjects in a way that honours their identity and culture.
This is the key to producing authentic and beautiful images that positively reflect your interactions with your subject and your experiences of a place.
Whether you’re travelling within the United Kingdom or abroad, consider these practices and ethical guidelines so that you can navigate the world of travel portrait photography responsibly:
1) Pack the Essential Gear for Portraits
The first thing you need to do is pack the right equipment for your project. Start with essential gear like a reliable camera, versatile lenses (such as a 50mm or 85mm prime lens), and portable reflectors to effectively manipulate light.
Invest in compact gear like mirrorless cameras as well. They can be advantageous due to their lightweight nature, all without compromising on quality.
In addition, bring extra battery packs and memory cards to avoid running out of power or storage space during crucial moments.
An extra camera body will also benefit you in case you encounter technical issues with your primary camera.
If carrying all this gear seems cumbersome, it may be an option to rent equipment in the local area where you’re travelling.
Many cities have camera rental shops that offer a range of professional gear, which will allow you to access high-quality equipment without the burden of transporting it.
This option can be especially useful for specific shoots that require specialised gear you might not own.
It’s also the considerate thing to do to plan as well ahead of a travel portrait shoot as you possibly can, including the details on your equipment.
This will allow you to take the best photos even when you’re pressed for time, which in turn will demonstrate respect for your subjects and their time.
2) Take Advantage of Natural Light
Natural light remains a powerful tool in portrait photography. Utilising natural light can enhance the mood and authenticity of your images.
But you’ll still need to be mindful of the time that offers the best natural light, and you’ll want to choose lighting options that aren’t obtrusive or cumbersome to your subjects.
You’ll be able to catch the light of the “golden hours,” which span from the early morning to the late afternoon, so that you have soft and warm light to work with.
You can also try backlighting for a halo effect or side lighting for depth and texture. Politely position your subjects so that you can take advantage of the light you have and capture them at their best angles.
3) Ask for Permission from Your Subjects to Take Their Photos
For something as intimate as portrait photography, it’s important to respect someone’s personal boundaries.
Always ask for permission before photographing someone, especially in close-up portraits. The simple gesture of asking can build trust and ensure that your subjects are comfortable, which helps capture genuine expressions and emotions.
If a potential subject says no, respect their decision. Don’t push or insist on taking their photos.
Doing so will only create discomfort and negatively impact the relationship between you, the photographer, and your would-be subject.
Respecting a refusal honours the subject’s wishes and upholds ethical standards in photography. Never forget that the dignity and comfort of your subject should always come first.
4) Engage with Your Subject and Strike Up a Conversation
Another best practice in travel portrait photography that you should adopt is building rapport with your subjects.
It can significantly enhance the quality of your portraits and make the shoot a better experience for everyone overall.
Take the time to engage in meaningful conversations with your subjects, learn about their stories, and understand their backgrounds.
If you don’t speak the same language, make the effort to learn some key phrases in the local tongue.
This approach is more likely to enrich the encounter, and it allows your subjects to feel valued and respected—which can, in turn, result in more authentic and powerful images.
5) Don’t Offer Money to Take Your Subject’s Photos
Paying for photos can create ethical dilemmas and compromise the authenticity of your work.
It can also lead to a transactional relationship, which will get in the way of a genuine interaction between a photographer and their subject.
If you truly want to show your appreciation for your subject, consider alternative ways to express gratitude. Sometimes, sharing your work with your subjects is the best gesture.
If possible, offer to send them digital copies via email or social media. They may also greatly appreciate a printed copy if you have the means to produce one.
6) Take Children’s Photos with Caution
The issue of photographing children requires extra sensitivity and care.
Firstly, always seek parental consent before taking pictures of kids. Also, be aware of local customs and legal regulations regarding photographing minors.
In some places, photographing children is frowned upon or even prohibited. It is crucial to understand and respect these cultural norms to avoid misunderstandings or offending the local community.
In addition, never give children sweets or pay them for their photos. Such actions have unintended consequences, like encouraging begging or exploiting a child’s innocence.
Moreover, it should be your priority to uphold the safety and comfort of a child, and any photograph you take should reflect this.
The tips listed above should help you prepare for your next opportunity to practise travel portrait photography, adhering to a sense of authenticity and purpose.
With enough care and attention to detail, you’ll be able to fully celebrate the diversity of the world from behind the lens of your camera.
