{"id":81491,"date":"2022-04-04T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=81491"},"modified":"2022-07-25T15:59:42","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T19:59:42","slug":"become-a-travel-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/become-a-travel-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Travel Photographer for Expedition Outfitters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Walk through the halls of an Adventure Canada<\/a> expedition ship en route to the Arctic, and you\u2019ll inevitably see the name \u201cMichelle Valberg<\/a>\u201d beneath dozens of eye-popping iceberg and wildlife photos. Head out on an Antarctica expedition cruise with Abercrombie & Kent<\/a> in the coming years and \u2014 more likely than not \u2014 you\u2019ll see this renowned travel and wildlife photographer on the boat right alongside you, snapping away and enjoying the sights just as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, unlike other expedition adventurers, Valberg\u2019s not out there simply for fun (although she has her fair share of it). Valberg is a seasoned travel and adventure photographer. She’s made a name for herself in the world of travel photography. So much so that famed travel brands like Abercrombie & Kent hire Valberg to photograph for them onboard their expeditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abercrombie & Kent is a world leader in luxury adventure tours that reach the far-flung corners of this planet. Valberg is on these trips capturing wildlife and landscapes, photographing guests, teaching guests how to photograph these beautiful destinations, and sharing photos during gatherings and pre-planned photo-review sessions to help guests reflect upon the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sound like your dream job? You\u2019re not alone. As pandemic travel restrictions ease and spring and summer travels are on the horizon, more creators are trying to find ways to make the world their office and their passion a full-time career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While everyone\u2019s journey is different, we sat down with Valberg to learn how one gets started on this wild and wondrous travel-photography career path. Here\u2019s what she had to say about becoming a travel photographer for safari and expedition outfitters. She also shares some tips on how you can get out there too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to <\/strong>Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Going from newbie photographer to getting paid to photograph in places like Antarctica was a long journey for Valberg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a professional photographer for over 30 years, and I\u2019ve been very lucky to do this profession,\u201d she said, noting she\u2019s been running her own business since university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never said no to any kind of job in photography but, of course, travel has always been an important part of my life.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

While travel was always a passion, she didn\u2019t start out jet-setting around the globe with camera in hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did everything from weddings to portraits,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve never said no to any kind of job in photography but, of course, travel has always been an important part of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pursue Passion Projects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As she navigated through the twists of a photography career, Valberg’s instincts brought her closer to this ultimate goal of travel and adventure photography \u2014 the kind of photography that includes dramatic landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife, and the human emotion that comes with visiting and admiring these grand, larger-than-life destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of her own career progression came through taking risks with personal projects. Valberg created several photography books that really helped get her name out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI put my heart and soul \u2014 and money \u2014 into every single one of them,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I was done with my first few, I said, ‘OK, I\u2019m going to do a book on Canada,’ and this is where I can see if I can showcase Canada by fusing my photography and my storytelling with travel.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She created a book idea, it was showcased in Canada, and then she knew she had to go to the Arctic. That pursuit of getting to the Arctic was one of the biggest turning points in Valberg\u2019s career. She asked a friend for advice and he shared contacts, including a Canadian tourism bureau and the company Adventure Canada. Adventure Canada is an expedition cruise outfitter that specializes in northern Canada, Greenland, and Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soft Skills are Key<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Valberg began working with Adventure Canada, more doors opened for her. This was both with future jobs photographing on Adventure Canada excursions, and with other outfitters such as Abercrombie & Kent. Abercrombie & Kent coordinates luxury small-group trips across the world \u2014 from the plains of Africa down to Antarctica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about being a good photographer. It\u2019s networking and working with people, and sometimes you have to prove yourself,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople can have a good camera or take good photos, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can rise to the upper echelons of the photographic world in a nanosecond. It\u2019s a process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Have to be Committed <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You have to really pour your heart into it \u2014 especially in the competitive industries where you get paid to travel around the world pursuing your passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you want to make it as a photographer, you have to be all-in.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you want to make it as a photographer, you have to be all-in,\u201d she said, noting there are more and more photographers taking photos with their smartphones or enjoying the craft as a hobby. This is fine but to really be a master in the field, you have to go beyond a pretty photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPaul Nicklen didn\u2019t become Paul Nicklen just by taking good photos,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s almost no one in the creative industry who\u2019s successful who hasn\u2019t had to do the chase \u2014 to do the work. And the commitment and passion, everything has to be in place in order for you to do this kind of work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photographing on Expedition Cruises and Safaris<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re captivated by the idea of photographing with, say, Abercrombie & Kent, here\u2019s what the process looks like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a full day \u2014 all day \u2014 from the time you wake up. You\u2019re part of the team as a photographer, so you\u2019re out on the excursions in the morning. Then, when you\u2019re not on the excursions, you\u2019re giving lectures. You\u2019re giving private photo-advice consultations to people with their cameras. Then, you have lunch and you go back out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Somewhere in that day, Valberg has to deliver the photos, and show her work every day in recap sessions. She also uses this recap session as a time to give photography advice to guests \u2014 and she loves seeing how often they take her wisdom to heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne time, I showed people how to pose better for their photos and it was really fun because they all started doing it the next day!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editing on the Fly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One key skill that\u2019s helped Valberg manage the sheer volume of work on these trips is learning to edit quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never process an image the same \u2014 ever.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about being quick and decisive,\u201d she said, noting it\u2019s important to hone your style and really understand what makes your images unique. That said, she\u2019s not one to use blanket filters or presets to expedite the editing process. Her speed comes from years of practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never process an image the same \u2014 ever,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She does minor edits but typically gets the photo finished, then moves on. She said working in the wedding industry actually helped her with this in-the-moment speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWeddings are a perfect way to learn how to think, act, and create quickly,\u201d she said. \u201cEverything happens instantly, and you don\u2019t have time to just sit back and let the moment go by.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember Why You\u2019re There<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting paid to travel is by far one of the most enviable career perks, but those on the outside don\u2019t realize all that goes into a job like this. Valberg isn\u2019t simply on an expedition ship photographing gorgeous sunrises or sunsets. She\u2019s working harder and her subjects aren\u2019t always surreal penguin encounters or ice-laden landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s photographing the people on <\/em>the trip itself, providing guests with memories of their trips, and the client with imagery they can use for promotion. While photographing is her main job, she\u2019s part photographer-part team member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have to be willing to not just take pictures, but if you\u2019re called upon to do roll call or lifejacket duty, or stand in a pile of penguin guano [waste], you have to do it,\u201d she said, laughing at a recent Antarctica memory of the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou need to be a team player in this space, and you have to be a people person. Be willing to put yourself out there,\u201d she said. \u201cThese people are paying, and it\u2019s your responsibility to make sure they have the best trip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To be Clear: Yes<\/em>, This is a Dream Job<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the work is hard, these experiences are perhaps more magical than Valberg could\u2019ve ever imagined. In fact, on one of her most recent Abercrombie & Kent Antarctica trips, she had a fellow photographer friend give her advice that made one of the excursion\u2019s most incredible moments even more special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe told me, ‘When you get in the Zodiac [boat] the first time in Georgia, just breathe and take it in. Don\u2019t immediately start taking pictures. Let it absorb you. ;et it all come through you,’\u201d Valberg said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This advice is relevant to travel photographers no matter the scenario. Photographers are often quick to pull out their cameras and want to start creating, but there is a benefit to taking the scene in first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Michelle Valberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inside Michelle Valberg\u2019s Kit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What does a travel and adventure photographer like Valberg bring with her on trips? As you can imagine, it’s a lot. Here are the gear highlights for this Nikon Ambassador. You can view her full gear list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n