After the failure of trying to take pictures in Mexico, without any kind of planning, it's time to step up and do it right. Now I'm finalizing the preparation for the next big trip, and I want to share with you my tips on how to plan a photography trip.
Planning
Destination: Research the place you're going. What are the cultural differences, and what are the rules when you take out your camera to take pictures.
Time of year: Traveling in summer is not the same as in winter, nor what you can find there at each time of the year, each month can be different. Take the opportunity to see if your trip coincides with a festival or event.
Reservations: flights, hotels. Keep a record of EVERYTHING, in a notebook if you're classic, or in an app or using software on your computer.
My steps are:
Brainstorming: Places to visit, events, food, everything on the list
Itinerary: The first draft route, without taking into account budget or travel costs. Mark the travel essentials
Budget Cuts: Now yes, go over the route looking at the budget and what the options are.
Final itinerary: After the budget cuts and the first draft, we have a travel plan (something can always change), but try not to make changes days before you go on the trip.
Photographic plan: Transfer the step-by-step itinerary to an app or software. I use Milanote to organize, and it is a tool that has convinced me to keep everything well organized.
The itinerary - Travel plan:
route Transport/driving time
What to see/do/eat
What to photograph
The lunch break
In photography, midday is the worst time due to the position of the Sun, very harsh light, keep that in mind if you want to look good in the photos too. Take the opportunity to take a break and also have a leisurely lunch.
The photographic part:
Digital scouting, google maps, street view:
Take screenshots to have the images in the travel plan. So when you go there you will have reference images from where you have to take the photos.
Roadtrip maps, or route. Know where you are at all times and at what time
The "money shot" is the main photo of the trip, the one you should have planned better and devote patience to. It tends to be early or late in the day, when the sunlight is lowest. The closer you are before the day starts to the location of your money shot the better.
Getting up very early has advantages, you will be the first if you are going to see monuments or popular places
The day by day travel plan
Reservations and tickets
Opening hours to the public
Permission to photograph: Depending on the location, they are sometimes required
The list of objectives
PDF on your smartphone always
Or if you're classic, print and cut
The work material
In addition to the travel list, clothes, etc. of any normal trip
Filming/photo permits, especially for those of us who want to use drones. visas
Checklist of the material you bring, in case anything happens, you lose something, it gets damaged, it gets stolen...
camera
cables
batteries
cards
Arrival checklist. If you have booked pocket wifi, e.g. car, don't forget anything.
The breaks during the day
If you go by motorbike or car, the stops at petrol stations
Places of interest
stores or areas that you can use to restructure the day's plan, know how you go
The plan B
However, sometimes something slips out of our hands, elements that escape our control, such as the weather, or your stomach bursting during the trip to abuse the food. If you have the option to be flexible during the trip and can change plans for some days, it is good to take that into account.
The story: what is the story? what is the common thread of the trip? Are you the protagonists, or is it the destination?
This point can also be marked by the events that happen during the trip, the people you may meet and the events that can bring the drama point to the trip. Use it to create your stories.
Now you are ready to go on your photography journeys.
You can also watch the video version on my Youtube channel