Take Your Best Shots: Tips for Shooting Video & Photos

Whether you consider yourself an amateur photographer or simply want to document your travel memories, photos and videos help us relive our adventures and share them with family and friends. Over the years, we’ve compiled a wealth of advice from our in-house photography team and artistically-minded travelers. Here are some tips to help you take your best shots.

Film & Video Tips

• When capturing videos, always shoot with the screen at a horizontal orientation—and watch for unintended tilting.
• Hold the camera on the subject for at least ten seconds.
• Do not walk or move while capturing video—this will make the video shaky. Try resting the camera on a steady object nearby, like a table, bench, or roof of a parked car.



If you can’t hold your camera so impressively still on your own—like this traveler on Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds—use a nearby object for support.

• Select the desired zoom level before shooting—do not adjust during your shot.
• Do not pan or tilt the camera during your shot.
• For objects in motion or people in profile, leave space in the frame in front of the motion or face.
• For more advice on creating videos with iMovie and uploading your creations to our website, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

Photography Tips

The grid shows how best to crop this image from The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords according to the "rule of thirds."

After you’ve gotten permission, sharing photos with your subjects can lead to moments of connection—like this one during Kenya & Tanzania Safari.

• When shooting local people, the rule of thumb is to ask permission, as many societies have cultural or religious taboos about capturing someone’s image. Even if you don’t speak the language, try to make your subject comfortable.
• Images of smiling people posed stiffly in front of an iconic landmark are ubiquitous—so why not try to capture a moment that makes the viewer laugh? Photos or videos that have a sense of humor, such as a funny or unique expression, are more interesting for the viewer.



Sometimes it pays to get a little dirty in exchange for the perfect shot, as this traveler demonstrates during The Wilderness Beyond.

• A simple change of perspective can make an otherwise typical photograph or video memorable, so try placing your camera at unusual angles and avoid the temptation to always center your subject in the frame.

While you can put our tips into practice anywhere around the world, our African safaris are all favorites amongst photographers—and Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari is most popular of all.