Ever have that moment — a moment that makes you rethink what you know about the world — when you experience something for the first time? These perspective shifts can happen when you least expect it, but they’re practically guaranteed when you take an educational trip!
These unique learning opportunities take you out of your everyday and open the door for personal breakthroughs, giving you a chance to grow in new and transformative ways. And while it’s important to stay in the moment, taking a second to capture these experiences with your camera will help you relive them for years to come.
Identify the Moments Worth Capturing
So, how will you know when it’s the right moment to snap a picture? Rather than staying glued to your phone and capturing everything, focus on those
moments that feel particularly meaningful. Did you learn something new? Did the experience change how you think, act, or feel in the world around you?
From interactions with locals in a culture other than your own to navigating new places without the comfort of familiar guideposts, educational travel provides endless opportunities for revelation and reflection. Snap a photo or take a quick video when you’re particularly taken aback as a keepsake, and consider bringing a journal along to make note of how it felt in the moment so you can reflect on the experience once you’re back home.
Focus on Depth and Emotion
Now that you know when to pull out your camera, let’s talk about what makes a good photo (hint: good photos make for great Photo & Video Contest entries).
The best photos and videos are the ones that tell a story; they convey the curiosity, joy, and awe of the moment by capturing the emotion on people’s faces. They’re authentic and candid — shots of a group engaging with the local community or soaking in the significance of a masterpiece — and they include enough of the background in the frame to provide context.
Leverage Light and Angles to Enhance the Story
If you’re ready to really level-up your content, consider the lighting and angles of your shot. The golden hour is so-called for a reason — the warm, golden lighting during sunrise or sunset adds warmth and depth to any photo or video, without the need of any special equipment or filters.
Knowing your angles can also allow you to influence the emotional impact of a photo. Step in close to put the viewer in the moment, step back and use low angles to capture the grandiose nature of historical architecture, or convey the expanse of a rolling landscape with a wide shot.
Make the Most of Your Smartphone
With smartphones, you have even more tools at your disposal — but we’d caution against over-engineering every shot.
Do: Enable gridlines to help you align subjects and create balanced photos using the rule of thirds.
Do: Focus in on the details, tapping the screen to draw attention to small details like traditional food or clothing.
Don’t: Over-edit or heavily filter your photos; instead, make subtle adjustments to account for brightness, contrast, or saturation that make your photos feel more like they looked in real life.
But Most Importantly, Enjoy the Moment
Memories from your school trip will stay with you always, but more important than capturing the perfect shot is enjoying the experience while you’re in it. So don’t stress about getting the perfect pose — the real, authentic moments captured on camera will always be the ones you’ll cherish the most.
Already home with a full camera roll? Be sure to enter our 2025 Photo & Video contest, which is open through June 30, 2025. Read the full details here, and be sure to submit for your chance to win!
Did you recently return from your 2025 tour? Submit your best shots by June 30, 2025 for a chance to win!
