If you’ve ever found yourself torn between enjoying a trip and feeling compelled to “get the shot,” you’re not alone. In this excerpt from Erik Kuna’s course Balancing Travel & Photography: Enjoy the Moment & Still Get the Shot, Erik shares one of the core mindset shifts that changed the way he travels—and dramatically improved his photography in the process. It’s a simple idea, but when you actually apply it, everything about your trips feels smoother, more intentional, and a whole lot more fun.
Being Intentional With Your Photography
If you can find a better balance with your photography, everything gets better—your life, your relationships, and yes, even your photos. I had to learn this the hard way. When I was younger, especially traveling with a film camera, I felt like I had to shoot everything. If the camera wasn’t glued to my face, I thought I was missing out or not doing my job as a photographer.
But here’s the switch: not every trip has to be a portfolio builder.
We tend to put pressure on ourselves: “I’ve got to come home with killer images.” But now, before any trip, I set an intention. Am I traveling to relax? To explore? Or am I traveling specifically to create images? Most of the time, I intentionally carve out space for all three.
And that leads to one of the biggest decisions you can make on any trip:
Am I a photographer on this trip, or is this a photography trip?
They sound similar, but they’re worlds apart. You can do both—just not at the same time. Some days I’m on a mission, fully in photographer mode. Other days, I’m just letting photography happen.
Be Present First, Photographer Second
Most of my travel is with family, friends, or both. And when you’re with other people, the priority has to shift: be present first, photographer second. Yes, I want to document the trip. But I don’t want to live for documenting the trip.
So I started doing something different:
look before you lift the camera.
Take in the scene. Feel the moment. Experience it the same way everyone else is. Then ask, “Do I actually need to take this shot?” My travel photography got noticeably better when I stopped machine-gunning frames and started engaging with what was in front of me.
When you’re at amazing places—like the National Parks—most people naturally fall into silence. They’re soaking it in. And honestly, that’s the best time to do the same.
The Magic Times
One of the perks of traveling with a photographer? My family now expects me to drag them out for sunset. And they love it. But here’s the secret they’ve picked up over the years: the best light is actually after sunset. Tourists don’t know this, but the glow that happens after the sun drops is incredible.
Morning shoots? Those are usually my time—nobody else on the trip wants to wake up that early. That’s when I do the extra planning, the intentional scouting, the “mission mode” work that leads to those images I’m really after.
Chase the Feeling, Not Just the Photo
Travel photography isn’t about perfection; it’s about communication. You’re trying to capture the feeling of being there—the wonder, the beauty, the culture, the architecture, whatever pulled you into the moment in the first place. Sometimes the best way to do that is to shoot with intention, even if it means raising the ISO or skipping the tripod.
My family has a funny unspoken rule: if the camera bag comes down and the tripod comes out, they know it’s a moment worth pausing for. But I don’t abuse that. I don’t spend an hour dialing in the “perfect” shot while everyone waits around. Sometimes good is good enough.
And at the end of the day, you’ve got to let go of the fear of missing out. Travel isn’t work—it’s meant to be enjoyed. The photography will come, and it will be better when you’re not forcing it.
Embark on a Journey to Landscape Mastery
The Landscape Photography Conference is happening this week! If you love chasing great light and bringing home images with real “wow,” this is your chance to learn from Scott Kelby, Erik Kuna, and an incredible instructor lineup. You’ll pick up practical tips you can use right away and get inspired by stunning examples. It’s not too late to register—and even if the event is already underway, your ticket includes full replays for a year so you can keep learning long after it’s over.
Grab your camera and join us—let’s make some epic landscapes together! Register here
