A travel photographer’s portfolio

As a travel photographer, you’ll travel to lots of places and capture them through your camera. The places can be tourist attractions, natural landscapes, hotels, resorts, cultural experiences and outdoor adventures. Most professional travel photography is in some way or the other way or the other linked with the tourist industry, generating imagery for magazines, brochures, advertising, merchandise and online media.

A career in travel photography offers a fair share of the adrenaline rush, money, and accolades. However, choosing to live free and young has its own set of challenges. Like other career and business options, travel photography can offer you every bit of joy and learning from experience that you want from both travelling around the world and from a career in photography.

Travel photography is not hard it just need a little more expenditure for travelling, for high varied camera however in present world different avenues of travelling photography is opening like blogging vlogging etc and this industry is expected to grow

For me personally, travelling works a lot like a therapy session which I do not find any reason to document. Its too personal to be on my Instagram because I travel in my bad phases more than in my good ones, to take some time off for contemplation and self exploration rather than exploration of any city or countryside. Photographing during such an expedition, in my opinion, takes away a little of the experience just so you can relive later, once they are trapped digitally in your camera. As a travel photographer, choosing the right camera is essential to capture the essence of your journeys effectively. Different photographers may have varying preferences, but one camera that consistently receives praise from travel photographers. 

Travel photography ideas and tips

Travel photography can be a rewarding and exciting way to document your journeys and experiences. From capturing the natural beauty of a destination to the hustle and bustle of city life, there are many photography ideas that can help you capture the essence of your travels.

Here are some travel photography ideas to help you take your photography skills to the next level:

1.Capture the Local Culture: One of the best ways to capture the essence of a destination is to photograph the local culture. This can include anything from the food, the people, the festivals, or the architecture. Look for the unique aspects of a destination that can help tell its story and capture these moments with your camera.

2.Landscape Photography: Another popular travel photography idea is to capture the natural beauty of a destination through landscape photography. Whether it’s a mountain range, a beach, or a desert, capturing the beauty of the landscape can help transport viewers to the destination and showcase its natural beauty.

3.Street Photography: Street photography can be a great way to capture the essence of a city and its people. This can include anything from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, to the architecture and landmarks that make a city unique.

4.Food Photography: Food is an important aspect of any culture, and capturing it through photography can be a fun and delicious way to showcase a destination. From street food to fine dining, there are many opportunities to capture the unique flavours and dishes of a destination.

5.Wildlife Photography: For those travelling to destinations with unique wildlife, wildlife photography can be a great way to capture these animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife photography can help showcase the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.

6.Night Photography: Night photography can be a great way to capture the vibrant and colourful nightlife of a destination. Whether it’s the neon lights of a city, or the stars in the night sky, capturing the magic of a destination after dark can help showcase its unique atmosphere.

7.Architecture Photography: Architecture can be a great way to showcase the unique character of a destination. From ancient ruins to modern skyscrapers, architecture photography can help capture the beauty and history of a destination through its buildings and structures.

8.People Photography: Finally, capturing the people of a destination can be a great way to showcase its culture and way of life. Whether it’s a portrait of a local resident or a candid shot of a group of friends, people photography can help showcase the humanity and diversity of a destination.

In conclusion, travel photography offers many opportunities to capture the essence of a destination and tell its story through images. By experimenting with different techniques and styles, you can create a unique and memorable visual diary of your travels.

Jaipur trip

I have lived in Jaipur for about 5 yrs. I am so fond of Rajasthani culture and food. Here I’m going to share some awesome traditional cuisines which I’ve tasted on the street and in some restaurants in Jaipur.

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, houses endless surprises and attractions. The rich legacy and heritage of this beautiful city, coupled with its royal ancient history, attracts numerous national as well as international tourists every year. Jaipur leaves all its visitors mesmerized with its impeccable palaces, museums, forts, cultural activities, and cuisines. I will give you all the reasons that make Jaipur a wonderful choice for travelers.

1.Heritage Havelis

Members of the royal family and nobles used to live in palaces or Havelis. The magnificent designs and patterns add more character to these majestic structures. The bewitching architectural grandeur of these Havelis is extremely alluring.

2.Museums

There are several wonderful museums in Jaipur that are among the top things that make this city famous. These museums give you a peek into the articles and expressions of the ancient period and the grand life of the erstwhile royals. Some of the museums are Albert Hall Museum, Doll Museum, City Palace Museum, and Hawa Mahal Museum.

3.Castles & Forts

The fascinating forts are the main attraction of Jaipur. Amber fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh fort leave tourists awestruck with their grand and enchanting ambiance.

Apart from these, there are several grand castles in Jaipur. And luckily, you now have the opportunity of experiencing living in a castle, thanks to Castle Kanota. This magnificent heritage hotel is perfect for a weekend getaway while living like royalty.

Jaipur is a fascinating capital of Rajasthan and is a very well planned city of its time. It was in the year 1927 that Jaipur was the creation of Maharaja, Sawai Jai Singh. It runs across in pink colour. This is why the city is also known as “The Pink City”. Jaipur is the home for artisans, musicians and craftsmen. The city of Jaipur is redolent with ethereal palaces, imposing forts, vibrant people, boisterous bazaars, timeless traditions and centuries of art and culture. All of the cities of Jaipur have a unique character and a different colour. The capital city of Jaipur has the distinction of being pink which is also considered the colour of hospitality.

The architecture of Jaipur

A visitor can be amazed with the mixture and brilliance of Jaipur’s architectural heritage. Jaipur’s intricately carved temples, forts, and havelis and even step wells are enough to make Jaipur a wonderland for an architecture buff. The desert of Jaipur is full of extremes and it is here that the Rajput warrior clans reside. These tribal people had ruled Jaipur for the past many years. India’s many romantic cities are also home in Jaipur. The Rajputs were excellent builders and have decked the arid Aravali hills with their legacy with many imposing as well as magnificent forts and palaces in the world. Some of the important structures that represent the architectural heritage of Jaipur are Dilwara Temples, Jantar Mantar, Lake Palace Hotel, Chittorgarh Fort, City Palace and also the Jaisalmer havelis.

Fairs and festivals of Jaipur

Jaipur has a never ending cycle of festivals and fairs throughout the year. All of the festivals and fairs of Jaipur are colourful and also spectacular in the whole of India. The festivals of Jaipur give a vision of the colourful lifestyle of the Jaipuri people. They are also spectacular with their music, folk dances, drama and animal races. The main festivals and fairs of Jaipur are Gangaur, Teej as well as its Desert festival, Pushkar Fair, Elephant Festival and the Camel festival which are now known across the globe.

Places to visit near Jaipur

Mount Abu: Mount Abu is the only hill station of Jaipur as well as one of the must-see places. In Mount Abu, you will come across many interesting sites surrounding this hill town. Places such as Honeymoon Point, Dilwara Jain Temple, Jaipur House, Nakki Lake, Guru Shikhar and Sunset Point are the key attractions of Mount Abu. You can also enjoy a romantic boat ride in the picturesque Nakki Lake.
Jodhpur: It is also referred to as the Blue City of India and is located in the stark Thar Desert. The beautiful Umaid Bhawan Palace & Museum and Mehrangarh Fort are the prime attractions of Jodhpur.
Bikaner: Bikaner is popular all over the world as the Camel City of India and is situated around the Thar Desert. The city of Bikaner is famous for having the finest species of camels. In Bikaner the camel is the main means of transportation. The major attractions of the city include Lalgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort, and also that of the Camel Breeding Farm.
Jaisalmer: It is also known as the Golden City of India and is situated in the midst of the Thar Desert. In Jaisalmer, you will be able to explore the golden beauty of the desert and exotic sand dunes. The major attractions are that of the Jain Temples, Golden Fort, Havelis and Desert National Park.
Udaipur: Udaipur is also referred to as the Lake City of India. The popular lakes of Udaipur are the Jaisamand Lake, Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake and that of the Udai Sagar Lake in the city. This is why Udaipur is a very beautiful city in Jaipur. Udaipur is also known as the City of Lake Places and the popular lake palaces are the Jaipur Monsoon Palace, Lake Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace.

Must places to see in Jaipur

Amber Fort: Amber fort shares a special place in the hearts of the local people. Amber Fort shares an amazing history which resembles the victory of Sawai Maan Singh and establishment of Mata temple in Amber Fort. The amazing style of architecture forces people to enjoy and feel the richness of the culture.
Sisodia Rani Garden
Sisodia Rani Garden is a perfect example of beautiful nature filled with the amazing surprises and views of peace. The garden was built by the king Sawai Mann Singh II for his beloved wife which portrays the untouched scenes of Radha Krishna life in the Hindu mythology.

Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal is also known as the palace of winds. This is considered as one piece of architecture and smart thinking. Hawa Mahal is a palace with small windows on the outer which helps the blowing winds in the palace to change their temperature to coolest and does not allow hot winds to blow inside the palace.

Jal Mahal
As the name suggests, Jal Mahal is a palace which is built in the middle of the man Sagar Lake. Jal Mahal shares a special place in the category of amazing architectural ideas involved with the city Jaipur.

Birla Mandir:Birla Mandir is one beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and God Narayan. This beautiful temple is typically made by the pure marbles and furnished with many handicrafts shops and refreshing gardens inside the premises which help in astonishing the beauty of the temple.

Amber Fort: The Amber Fort is situated at a distance of 11 km from the city of Jaipur. It is a fort which is situated on a cliff beside the Jaipur-Delhi Highway. The architecture of the fort is an amalgamation of the Rajput as well as the Mughal schools of architecture. This type of architecture beautifully combines white marble and red stone. The Maota Lake provides the mighty structure a magnificent view. The lovely palaces and the sturdy ramparts make Amber Fort to be a prime attraction of the state.

Albert Hall Museum: It is also known as the Central Museum and is situated in the beautiful lawns of the Ram Niwas Bagh in Jaipur. The Albert Hall Museum is amongst the oldest museums. This museum has been modelled on the lines of the Albert Museum of London. It depicts the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.
Galta Temple: The pink city of Jaipur is also the home of many shrines which are the major tourist attractions throughout the year. The Galta Temple of Jaipur is one of them. This temple is located amidst beautiful surroundings. It is also referred to as the Monkey Temple. The Galta Temple is nestled on the crowns of a mountain and is located near the Sisodia Rani-ka Bagh. Legend tells us that the Galta Temple was a part of the penance rituals of the God-man Galava.

These are the famous places where you can go in July and enjoy the rain. There are aravali hills where you can go for trips and adventures in the rainy season. Some of places are also good for photography. Jaipur is the best place to visit in July and winters.

The City Palace: The City Palace is a beautiful example of the architecture which was prevalent in Jaipur. It was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The City Palace has beautifully carved magnificent pillars, marble interiors; inlaid ornamentations and jali or lattice work make the palace to be a very popular tourist attraction. The two main entrances to the City Palace are that of Jaleb Chowk and Tripolia Gate.

What to eat in Jaipur

Jaipur’s cuisine is mainly vegetarian and it provides a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes. All of the dishes have high spice content when compared with the other Indian cuisines. However, the food is absolutely scrumptious. In order to cook most of the dishes the Jaipuri’s use ghee for cooking. Jaipuri food is popular all over the world for its spicy curries and delicious sweets.
Popular Jaipuri dishes:

• Bail-Gatte
• Balushahi
• Beans ki sabji
• Besan-Chakki
• Chavadi
• Churma
• Dal-Bati
• Dhungari Hui Chaach
• Gajar ki sabji
• Ghevar
• Googri
• Gawar phali ki saag
• Jhajariya
• Karela ki sabji
• Keri ki sabji
• Khaadi
• Kicha ki sabji
• Kikoda ki sabji
• Laapsi
• Makki ki raab
• Matar ki sabji
• Moranga ki sabji
• Nukhti
• Panchkuta
• Popular Jaipuri curries:
• Raabdi
• Tarfini

Sweets of Jaipur: The people of Jaipur have a sweet tooth and this is why the sweets are relished and savoured by all.
A famous sweet item in Jaipur is the Dal Bati Churma. For breakfast, the people of Jaipur eat Jalebi with Kachoudi. The other popular sweet dishes of Jaipur are gulab sakri, gilebdar petha and Mishri mawa that are mostly prepared with mawa & sugar.

The best time to visit Jaipur during the period of November to February.

Things to keep in bag while travelling to Jaipur

Medicines: You may be having certain medicines that you will have to take daily. You should remember to carry these along with a copy of prescription. You should also carry medicines for common problems like fever, cold, headache, etc.
Clothes:
The clothes: which you will have to take to Jaipur will be based on the season when you’re travelling. If you’re going in the summer then pack only light clothes. If you’re travelling in winter, take warm clothes. You should also not forget to keep an empty bag to put dirty clothes in. To wear, you should carry some comfortable pair of shoes, sandals or floaters and ones which are light to carry in the bag.
Eatables: You should also not forget to pack some packed eatables like biscuits, chocolates, candies and wafers. You will find these foods to be of great help if you happen to get stuck at an isolated place or when hunger attacks at odd hours. You should also remember to carry a water bottle.
Identity Proof: It has nowadays become necessary to carry some sort of identity proof while on a vacation. There are many hotels and places where you cannot rent a room if you don’t have one. Also in case of any mishap or any other contingency it would be of a great help to travellers and their family.
The identity proof which you carry should have your photo, name, address and of the place where you wish to stay on vacation.
Toiletries: You should also remember to carry toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, face wash, shampoo, shaving kit, body lotion, deodorants, etc. Based on the climate of the area, you should carry sunscreen lotions or cold creams that should also be taken along accordingly.
Money and Cards: You should take some loose change in the form of cash and your credit/debit card.
Camera: If you wish to capture the memories of your vacation lifelong, you should carry a reliable and excellent camera to capture images and videos of the entire journey to cherish the moments later on.
Miscellaneous –

• Bug Repellent
• Chargers / Batteries
• Extra Bags Nail Cutter
• Paper and Pencil/Pen
• Sleeping Bag
• Spectacles or contact lenses

Don’t forget to keep tickets and other important documents related to reservation of travel and accommodation.
A word of caution- You should pack only those items which you can carry yourself if there are no porters available to help you.
Happy Holidays!!!