Going on a photo walk is a great way to experience and learn photography. It’s also a great way to practice mindfulness. You have to focus, slow down, be in the present moment and depending on where you walk, nature can be involved! You get two for the price of one when it comes to photography – creativity & mindfulness!
I go on many photo walks throughout the year – most by myself and sometimes I lead small groups. Here are a few tips to get you prepared for a successful and fun outing whether on your own or with a group.
Dress For The Weather
Check the weather. If it’s cool make sure to dress in layers. Sometimes it will get warmer and you don’t want to be overheated. Hat, gloves, sunscreen also help. Being comfortable is key.
Comfy Shoes
You’ll be on a photo WALK – which means lots of walking! This isn’t the time to wear fancy or high heeled shoes. You may end up on a hike or in muddy areas as well, so consider that when choosing your shoes. I tend to wear my hiking boots or sneakers.
Snacks & Water
If you’ll be out for a few hours you may get hungry. Easy to eat snacks like granola bars are always a great option and of course you want to stay hydrated so bring a water bottle – FILLED with water!
Pack Lightly
Just bring the necessities. You’ll be walking around a lot and you don’t want your back to end up hurting.
Hands Free Bag
You want your hands to be holding a camera – not your bag! A crossover bag or backpack are ideal.
Camera Gear
Since you’ll be walking around for a while, you don’t want to take all of the gear you own. It’s going to get pretty heavy and you want to be in the moment – not have to worry about constantly changing lenses.
Think about the location where you’ll be walking – are there a lot of flowers or foliage? Landscapes? Seascapes? Interesting buildings? If you have a zoom lens that covers a wide range that would be great or you can experiment with one prime lens or macro lens to see what you can create. I take my DSLR camera, usually with one smaller lens and my iPhone.
- Your Camera – DSLR, Point & Shoot or Phone – (or some combination)
- Lens of choice if using a DSLR camera
- Make sure your camera and phone are charged – bring extra batteries for your camera and a charger for your phone
- Memory cards – make sure there’s room on your card for lots of photos or clear out the space on your phone. It doesn’t hurt to bring an extra memory card if using a camera.
Bring Your Questions
If you’re being led by a professional photographer, this is your time to ask questions!
Bathroom
Make sure to go to the bathroom before you go. Depending on where you walk, a bathroom may not be easily accessible.
I hope these tips help you to have an enjoyable photo walk!
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