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15 Ways to Take a Viral Travel Photo

Text Broker

2025-08-14 21:10:08

15 Ways to Take a Viral Travel Photo — Crédit: Anthony Adu on Unsplash

For many people, becoming a travel photographer seems like a dream job. You get to take hiking trips, visit different countries and learn about various cultures, all while taking pictures that earn thousands of likes on Instagram. Once you've earned a large following, companies will start reaching out for sponsorship opportunities.However, tens of thousands of people are also trying to make it as travel photographers--and with an oversaturated market, it's difficult to stand out and find your audience. Generic pictures of trees and mountains won't cut it anymore. You need to tell a story, discover fresh angles and develop a unique style that makes your photos go viral.

Find a Unique Vantage Point

Anyone can stand in front of a landscape and take a picture. It takes a creative photographer to find new angles that make you see the landscape in a completely new way. When you're snapping photos, don't be afraid to walk around, experiment and try different angles. You can always delete the pictures that turn out badly, and it only takes one unique shot to go viral.

Wait for the Golden Hour

You might have been taking pictures all day, but don't pack up your equipment just yet. When the sun starts to set, the last rays cast a golden light across the landscape, giving your pictures a natural filter. This "golden hour" instills your images with a quiet warmth and rustic charm.

Capture the World in Movement

Motion shots make your still images come alive. If you're including a person in your photoshoot, ask them to pose, dance, jump or spin around to give the picture a burst of energy. You could also look for places to take motion shots in the city, such as highways, crowds and subway stations.

Use Props to Set the Scene

Including local props, such as clothes, books, food, drinks and signs, helps you tell the story and gives viewers insight into the location's culture. For more fun, you could assemble a still life with nearby objects and use this picture to summarize your trip. Look for new ways to use the goods and furniture around you.

Make a Record of the Human Experience

Human behavior has fascinated photographers for centuries. As you look around, you'll find people living their lives, engaging their culture and telling their stories in their own unique ways. Keep an eye out for human moments that make people feel sad, entertained, nostalgic or wistful. Pictures that produce an emotional reaction are more likely to go viral.

Start Developing Your Signature Filter

Filters and Lightroom presets can transform your collection's vibe. You can adjust the colors, add grain, experiment with effects and make digital photographs look like Polaroids or analog shots. Once you've found your favorite filters, try using them regularly to make them part of your signature style. This makes your pictures stand out in your viewers' feeds.

Get the Word Out With Hashtags

You might have the best travel photography in the world, but it won't mean much if people don't know that your profile exists. Whenever you share an image, include relevant hashtags to drive traffic to your page. People may see your pictures when they look up these hashtags and follow you for more.

Share a Glimpse of Your Process

Sharing the occasional behind-the-scenes glimpse makes your followers feel like exclusive insiders. If your snapshots are engaging enough, people might even share your posts to give others a look at your process. Talk about your journeys, goals and accomplishments, and encourage fans to ask questions to learn more about your story.

Collaborate With Your Fellow Photographers

Your fellow travel photographers aren't necessarily your competitors. In fact, you could collaborate with other artists to drive more traffic to your profile. Look for nearby photographers in your area, then invite them to meet up for a joint photoshoot. Make sure you get a picture of you together to delight your audiences.

Tell a Story in the Captions

Photography tends to throw viewers into a situation with no explanation. Once you've grabbed their attention, you can use the captions to discuss the scene, offer more context and share an entertaining story. You might even throw in a twist that changes the way they look at the image. A surprising or poignant caption could easily boost your popularity.

Create Instagram Reels and Carousels

Instagram's features allow you to share photos and videos in different formats. Instead of uploading one image per post, try using Instagram Carousels to share a slideshow of related photos. With Instagram Reels, you can add videos to your portfolio and expose your brand to a new audience that prefers short clips.

Look Around for Natural Reflections

Reflections place a setting in a completely new context, distorting the image with ripples, frost, cracks and debris. When you spot a window, puddle or body of water, try taking pictures of the reflections and pairing them with the original setting or letting the viewers figure it out. This technique can lead to some surreal imagery.

Take Snapshots of Spontaneous Events

Mountain ranges aren't going anywhere, but some events happen once in a lifetime. When you travel to a new place, look for spontaneous events, performances and festivals that could lead to an incredible shot. You'll give your audience a glimpse into an exciting new world, which could result in tens of thousands of views.

Dress the Subject in Colorful Attire

If you're incorporating models into your photos, the subject is just as important as the landscape. A bright, colorful outfit makes the subject stand out and catches your audience's attention before they stop to examine the rest of the picture. Better yet, try dressing your subject in local attire that celebrates the country's history.

Tag the Location and Relevant Profiles

Tagging a person sends a notification to their inbox, inviting them to check out your image. However, you don't want to tag random people because Instagram might delete your account for "spamming." Instead, tag relevant people and businesses, such as venues, hosts and tourism organizations. If you're lucky, they might share your picture on their profiles.