The travel industry is, like many others, historically male-dominated. But thanks to the peerless talent and determination of a new generation of female photographers, that’s all beginning to change.
As far as sought-after job titles go, “professional travel photographer” is certainly up there. But for every dream job, there’s a long road of hard work and hurdles to navigate first—and for women hoping to make it in what’s still a male-dominated space, the work can often be harder and the hurdles higher.
So we asked some of our favorite female travel photographers and Adventure.com contributors how they made it happen, what they love most about their jobs, the challenges they face, and what advice they have for the next generation.
Lola was drawn to photograph this farmer in Nepal after noticing how much pride she took in her work, and the confidence she exuded.
Photo: Lola Akinmade Åkerström
Lola Akinmade Åkerström
Lola Akinmade Åkerström is an award-winning travel writer, photographer and author based in Stockholm. Represented by National Geographic Creative, she’s also the editor of Slow Travel Stockholm and a featured contributor for Adventure.com.
Adventure.com: What made you decide to become a travel photographer?
Lola: Initially, I took photographs during my travels so I could paint from them—I used to be an oil painter. But over time, I realized my photos could stand on their own so I switched to photography as a medium of expression. Focusing on travel photography as my niche was fed by my passion for exploration.
What types of photography assignments interest you the most?
I love exploring culture through food, tradition, and lifestyle. So any assignment with a human and cultural aspect that’s drastically different from my own culture and upbringing always interests me. It’s much easier to shoot a landscape than to walk up to a total stranger and gain their trust enough that in a few minutes to be granted permission to take their photograph.
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Have you come across any challenges with being a female photographer?
The challenge is the reverse of the advantage, which is being granted access to more sensitive stories or situations that another woman won’t feel comfortable granting to a man. But being granted access into male-only domains and not being taken as seriously within patriarchal structures as a male photographer would can be challenging—but not impossible.
What’s your advice to women who want to become travel photographers?
Follow your gut and your passions. While it’s a predominantly patriarchal profession—by that I mean, men usually get more recognition even though there are many talented women photographers—keep with it. It is not the easiest of careers to break into, but your passion and resilience will sustain you through the lows, and make the highs so much sweeter.
This Kuna woman from San Blas in Panama called photographer Nori Jemil over to take her portrait, telling her she was over 80 years old. “I love taking pictures of people,” says Nori, “but it’s always best when they invite you to do so.”
Photo: Nori Jemil
Nori Jemil
Nori Jemil is an award-winning travel photographer and writer who has spent extensive time in Chile and Western Australia. Specializing in landscapes and portraits, she also runs film and travel photography courses in the UK and abroad.
Adventure.com: How did you become a travel photographer?
Nori: I remember having a camera since the age of about 12, but it was after moving to Santiago, Chile in 2004 that I became set on this as a profession. I became a fully-fledged traveler first, backpacking my way through Panama and Argentina, and Easter Island to the Amazon; something about the landscapes and people of Latin America pushed my photography on. After I won a few awards in 2008, I decided this was something I wanted to pursue professionally.
What photography assignments really pique your interest?
From my time living in Chile, and my regular trips to Australia’s remote west coast, I’d say that wild, extreme landscapes are what inspire me. I’m just back from the Arctic too—polar locations also have a special pull. But travel is about experiencing something other than your familiar world, so talking to people and finding out about their culture is equally important.
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Any advantages to being a female travel photographer?
There can be, especially in communities where older people, women or children might see an unknown man as a possible threat. This might seem unfair to male photographers, but I find I can sometimes be less conspicuous or more approachable. For all photographers, being discreet with equipment, and courteous and sensitive is essential. I have male photographer friends who are as gentle and kind as any woman, so gender differences might be oversimplifying things a bit!
Any tips for women considering travel photography as a career?
Travel to places that bring you joy—if that means photographing your own city first, great. An original take on the world makes your photos stand out, so no matter how many times we see the world on Instagram, it can always be reframed in creative, thought-provoking ways. An Instagram account can start to get those unique images seen. Earning money from this can be tough, as it’s a competitive world, but enter competitions, get noticed and just keep on keeping on until you get there!
This Bajau sea gypsy woman is fishing for her family in the warm waters of the Togian islands in Indonesia, where the basic need to survive supersedes the creation of gender stereotypes. When reflecting back on history, it’s impossible to ignore the important role women have always played in sustaining our communities.
Photo: Jody MacDonald
Jody MacDonald
Jody MacDonald is an award-winning adventure sport and documentary photographer, represented by National Geographic Creative. Over the last decade, she’s been the resident photographer on a 60-foot catamaran on a global outdoor adventure expedition.
Adventure.com: What made you want to become a travel photographer?
Jody: Well I love photography and I love to travel, so becoming a professional photographer was an easy decision for me!
What types of photography assignments interest you the most?
Ones where where ancient cultural traditions are diminishing or dying, which unfortunately are a majority. Also, I enjoy the more challenging projects—whether that’s due to location, traditions, religious rules etc.
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As a female travel photographer, what are some of the advantages your gender affords you?
I think one of the advantages is that I believe people find women less threatening or intimidating. I think being a woman often allows people to trust me fairly quickly and allows me access to places that sometimes might be a bit harder for men.
Has being a woman presented you with any challenges in your work?
Yes, I travel to Middle Eastern countries a fair amount and because of religious reasons, my access can be limited. I just have to always try and take those limitations and turn them into opportunities.
What’s your advice for anyone wanting to become a travel photographer?
If it’s your passion, go after it! It’s not easy but nothing worth doing is.
Atika, a woman from one of the lowest castes in Bangladesh, faces a crowd of women who she is educating and informing about their rights, while also changing attitudes and seeking services for her community.
Photo: Nicola Bailey
Nicola Bailey
Nicola Bailey is an award-winning photographer and Adventure.com’s photo editor who has a particular interest in photographing remote and challenging locations and exploring the visual stories that emerge.
Adventure.com: What made you decide to become a travel photographer?
Nicola Bailey: As a kid, I was inspired by my parents enormous, ever-growing collection of National Geographic mags along with my dad’s (who was a photographer) own collection of stunning travel images. Those pictures allowed me to dream of great escapes and endless adventures—and to this day they still do.
What do you think are some of the advantages of being a female photographer?
It’s given me access to people and places that I don’t think would have been possible as a man. This is generally the case in countries where the gender divide runs much deeper and where it wouldn’t be acceptable, for instance, for a man to be present, let alone taking photos, in a more intimate or close setting.
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Any challenges that come with being a female photographer?
Personal safety is always a bigger concern for a woman than it is for a man, that’s the same everywhere. So you need to be aware of that, particularly in environments you aren’t familiar with—you might really want to take a particular photo in an isolated forest late at night, but you need to ask whether the risks are worth it.
What’s your advice to women who want to become travel photographers?
If you can, go for it! For me, it’s a dream job, but I recognize it’s a privileged position to be in. You’re probably not going to make a huge salary, but there’s editorial work out there, work with NGOs, and commercial assignments. Plus there’s the power of social media—if you’ve got the drive (and the followers), that can bring in other income sources.
Portrait of a Samburu woman living in northern Kenya. The Samburu are closely related to the Maasai of East Africa—as semi-nomadic pastoralists, they’re dependent on their cattle, sheep, goats, and camels for survival.
Photo: Susan Portnoy
Susan Portnoy
Susan Portnoy is a Manhattan-based professional photographer and writer who uses her photos and storytelling to transport, immerse and excite readers, inspiring them to seek adventure, and connect with the people and places they visit.
Adventure.com: What drew you to travel photography?
Susan: I’ve always had a passion for travel. Photography came later when I was in Machu Picchu on my first solo trip and realized my camera gave me something to do when I felt lonely or uncomfortable by myself—I found I loved the challenge of capturing a good image. I eventually put my work online and after receiving great feedback, I created The Insatiable Traveler and it snowballed from there.
Which assignments do you love the most?
I love wildlife (I’m a safari addict) and photographing remote cultures—people whose daily lives resemble past generations, like the Himba in Namibia or the Kazakh nomads in western Mongolia. So many culture-defining traditions are being lost as the world becomes more homogenized so the opportunity to spend time with people who’ve genuinely held on to their indigenous roots fascinates me.
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In your work, have you had any encounters with women that have stood out?
In Old Havana, I came across an old woman and her husband sitting inside a small anteroom open to the street. She looked frail while he sat opposite, playing a beat-up guitar. After asking permission, I took photos as he played. After three or four songs, the husband excused himself, leaving me and the old woman alone. She looked at me with sad eyes and wanting to fill the silence, I showed her the images I’d taken. With each image, she perked up, pointing and smiling at the photos she liked. When her husband returned, she shocked us both by starting to sing. It started as a whisper, but with each word her voice grew stronger. Her grandchildren appeared out of nowhere—they too were stunned. I could feel the electricity in the air and I knew I was privy to a very special serenade.
What’s your advice to women pursuing a career in travel photography?
Travel as much as you can so you have a varied portfolio of people, destinations, and cultures. Experiment with compositions and angles to keep images fresh. Socialize your images on Facebook and Instagram—you never know what opportunities may arise.
Marianna Jamadi met these three women in Peru’s Huacahuasi Valley, while walking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
Photo: Marianna Jamadi
Marianna Jamadi
Marianna Jamadi is a professional travel photographer, full-time creative, and self-confessed dreamer. She’s recently been awarded a VSCO Artist Initiative Grant, and aims for her photography to elicit nostalgia, escapism, emotion and humanity.
Adventure.com: How did you become a travel photographer?
Marianna: My parents are both immigrants and I spent my childhood visiting family in Finland and Indonesia—travel was a seamless part of my life, like brushing my teeth. My dad always had a camera or video camera nearby and looking back, that’s probably what inspired my desire for documentation. But I didn’t discover my love for photography until my 20s when it became a way to process the world around me.
What types of photography assignments interest you the most?
I enjoy an impressive landscape, but I love capturing the differences of cultures and people more—that’s when I feel my pulse quicken and it makes me me feel more connected. I also enjoy the challenge of trying to capture the authenticity of a place, and of connecting with locals, even if you don’t speak the same language.
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Have you come across any challenges as a female photographer?
I’ve definitely dealt with people who’ve assumed I’m less capable than a man, or should be paid less than a man, or that I can be easily taken advantage of, or will accept a lesser deal because I am a woman. This is shifting, but this dynamic is still certainly present.
In your work as a travel photographer, do any encounters with other women stand out?
When I was first building my portfolio in Goa, this woman would walk up and down the beach every day, selling fruit to beachgoers. One day, she was cutting me some pineapple and she told me she’d been selling fruit for over 20 years and had finally bought some land and built a house on it—she called it her ‘house of fruit’. I was so impressed by her hard work and desire for independence that I felt more empowered, just having met her.
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