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Editorial: My "Aha" Travel Writing Moment

Your camera selection has a big impact on your travel writing career. I vividly remember the convergence of events that finally forced me to graduate from my trusty point-and-shoot to a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera.

I’d been using my point-and-shoot for a few years, but only about 10% - 20% of my images were publishable — and that was on a good day!

Many of my photos were blurry, especially if something was moving — like people, wildlife, or vehicles. And, the images were poorly defined and the colors were dark or washed out.

When I used a point-and-shoot, my strategy was simply to take dozens of photos of everything, in the blind hope that a few would be suitable for publication.

Some usually came out okay — good enough for magazine editors to use. But winging it like this always concerned me. I worried that one day I would not have any decent images to offer an editor, and that I would lose the story.

In the back of my mind, I always had this niggling doubt that my images were not so good. I knew they were definitely not professional quality.

I had my ‘aha’ camera moment on a press trip to Alaska. I was on an Alaskan Marine Highway Ferry when the captain announced that a photogenic island, complete with lighthouse, was coming up on our starboard side. Along with dozens of other passengers, I rushed outside onto the deck, lined up, drew my camera like in a bad western movie, and started shooting.

The inferior lens on my point-and-shoot was not up to the task and I could not bring the lighthouse close-up, nor could I get it into proper focus while the boat was moving past.

But what was infinitely worse was that every one of the dozens of passengers around me — from 12-year-old kids to grandparents — ALL had DSLR cameras, and they were happily clicking away.

I was the only travel writer on the ship and I had the worst camera!

I realized it was time to upgrade. Soon after I purchased my DSLR, three magazine editors mentioned the improved quality of my photos. And, I was now able to submit 80% - 90% of my photos because the quality was so much better. Hallelujah!

If you’re serious about breaking into travel writing, a good quality camera with a high-quality lens is a necessity.

In case you’re wondering: isn’t my camera phone good enough? Camera phones have improved a lot and it’s possible an image might be suitable for some print editors. But I wouldn’t take the chance and lose the assignment by using a phone camera. When you travel on print assignments, take a good quality camera and the highest quality lens you can afford.

Here’s my advice on the how, why, what, where and when of travel photography. This post tells you everything you need to know to sell photographs with your articles. It includes links about how to choose the best camera for your travels as a writer — whether it's a point and shoot, a mirrorless camera or a dSLR.

This Week's Featured Post

Wrangling Complimentary Travel Writers’ Perks

So, I spent my time figuring out how to get the most out of each article. I wrote in every genre including travel. And I got published — a lot!



As I began doing more and more travel, I realized that it was very difficult to earn enough from freelance writing to travel to all the places I wanted to visit. Learning about travel perks became more important.

Here are some of the questions that writers ask about applying for complimentary travel assistance. My answers will clarify the tenuous process of requesting complimentary travel, so that you can enjoy some of the fine perks that travel writing can provide.

READ THE ARTICLE

Upcoming Posts

PitchTravelWrite.com Success Stories

Chuck Warren Uses His Knowledge and Experience to Find Success

This story is about writing for boating magazines. In particular, it demonstrates how Chuck Warren used his knowledge and experience in the boating industry to get his articles published. He makes it look easy! 

It’s an inspirational read for anyone thinking about entering the competitive field of freelance magazine writing.

“My travel writing journey over the past two and a half years has been nothing short of incredible and I'm trying very hard to continue moving forward.

Here’s my story on how I made the transition from unpublished wannabe to regular freelance contributor . . .”

Chuck Warren: Writing for Boating Magazines & Other Nautical Publications

Pitch Travel Write: Most Requested Links About the Craft of Travel Writing

As travel writers, we put words together to paint pictures of our destinations. Writing about a place we love seems like such an easy thing to do. From the readers perspective, we live a charmed life.    But, as you know, there’s much more to the travel writing craft: things behind the scenes that your reader doesn’t know about like . . .

• How to say the words in just the right way
• Sharing valuable information to catch their attention
• Knowing how to keep them engaged

There’s also a lot to learn about controlling your time and freeing yourself up from mundane tasks so that you can spend more time on the things you love to do – writing about travel.



This resource page includes information about topics that focus on your travel writing craft. How you can improve your writing and increase your productivity – and get those articles out to editors.

Link to Travel Writing Craft FREE Resource Page

Inspirational Travel Quote

RESOURCES FOR TRAVEL WRITERS

Featured Book : 125 Websites That Want To Publish Your Travel Stories

This reference book for travel writers is one of the most valuable resources you can have in your toolbox. You won’t find a list like this anywhere else.


The list of 125 websites - and the advice in this eBook — is your short cut to success. It will accelerate your travel writing career by rapidly enhancing your online presence.

BUY THE BOOK

Note: Use promo code JN5 at checkout to get your $5 discount during the month of January.

Group Coaching Mastermind Community

If you missed out on the opportunity to join this session, you can get on the waiting list for the next session starting soon in 2022:

Learn more and get on the waiting list

Live Workshops

Here are the tentative 2022 dates:
June 18-21, 2022, Travel Writing & Photography Retreat
June 23-25, 2022, Marketing Master Class for Travel Writers

We've had lots of interest already. You can sign up for our no-obligation interest list for these workshops and receive our substantial early bird discounts when we open registration:

Get on the workshop interest list here

Did You Know . . .

Your next opportunity to attend these classes be in Charleston, South Carolina, June 2022. There are still a few open seats in these workshops, so sign up while we have space. Registration will open soon - in the meantime, get on our interest list.

Our travel writing & marketing workshops are highly informative and a blast, socially. Sign up for the interest list here

You can access the list of the top ten travel writing workshops from Travel Writers Exchange at the link below: Travel Writers Exchange workshop list: #1 Marketing Master Class

ONLINE Travel Writing & Marketing Master Class

Who's it for?

• If you’re a novice travel writer, or you haven’t had much luck selling your articles to print magazines, this Online Travel Writing & Marketing Workshop is for you.
• If you weren’t able to travel to our Live Master Class, here’s the opportunity to attend anyway - without any travel costs and at a substantially reduced cost!
• If you work a full-time job and can’t get time off to attend the live class – you can still attend on your own schedule after working hours.
• If you’ve wanted to attend our Live Marketing Master Class but can’t get your schedule to fit with the dates it’s offered – here’s your opportunity to attend at your own convenience.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

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Our aim is to provide you with practical, nitty gritty information to help you gain entry into the travel writing realm and all the enjoyment that comes with it. 

Awards and Accolades

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Roy Stevenson
Pitch Travel Write
www.pitchtravelwrite.com