Travel Photography - An Interview with Professional Photographers amp; Owners of Creative Sparks Design Jim amp; Lisa Engelbrecht

We'll step within the minds of international travel photographers, Jim and Lisa Engelbrecht, to determine what travel photography is all about and talk to the professionals.
Ever wonder how it's really like to become a travel photographer? Is travel photography something you've considered learning, but nevertheless have questions and concerns? Owners of Creative Sparks Design, Jim and Lisa Engelbrecht, are planning to help us better view the challenges and attributes of travel photography, and present to us their 5 best tips that any aspiring travel photographer should look into.
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I've asked Jim and Lisa to offer me with a brief bio on who they are and where they are available from. Here's what they'd to say:
Jim: Born in Chicago, IL in 1953, I grew up in Cincinnati, OH. After secondary school, I went along to Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. After decade in Rochester, I gone to live in Boston. I have worked in advertising as being a designer possibly at Parker Brothers as an art director (where Lisa and I met). I then became a creative director within the travel industry ' hiring photographers till I found that 'I could do that", as opposed to sitting in a business office.
Lisa: I was born in Louisville, KY in 1959. I moved around a lot before I attended college at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. After graduation in 1979, I settled in the Boston area and also have been there since, working as a possible illustrator, designer, art director and photographer. I experience my husband, Jim, so we work together out of our house.
Bright Hub (BH): How do you get started as a photographer? Did you go to school or take any courses?
Jim Engelbrecht (JE): I first loved photography in high school graduation. I saved my money and graduated from your Kodak Brownie to some 35mm SLR Nikkormat, so I could work on my senior high school yearbook. I also took a part time job in the photo studio's darkroom (remember those?). I majored in photo illustration and communication design while attending college, but took a job being a designer and art director. I art directed a huge selection of photo shots in the past and hired photographers for travel assignments. Starting in 2004, I decided I wished to shoot assignments and have out from behind a desk. Having worked within the travel industry, I had made valuable contacts coupled with learned what photo editors were looking for.
Lisa Engelbrecht (LE): Photography has always been a hobby of mine; I took photography classes attending college. I started to add photography like a service for my graphic design business, which later expanded into doing on-location shooting for travel companies who required photographs to get included in their marketing brochures and catalogs.
BH: Obviously, as a possible international travel photographer, you've seen much of the world. What has become your favourite destination to visit and why?
JE: Because I love to travel, every place continues to be an adventure and I have loved them. One place that actually stands out, and I'm sure Lisa will agree, is Croatia. It's this kind of magical place. An African Safari reaches the top of my list also.
LE: Yes, I loved Croatia because of its natural beauty, the quaint coastal towns, the friendly people, the foodstuff and the old-world charm that's very apparent today.
BH: As a travel photographer, who are some of customers and what did you do for the children?
JE: We have focused on the major direct mail travel tour providers, while they have a large requirement for images to guide their marketing efforts. We photograph the passenger experience, that's very different from that the photographer might photograph an editorial assignment. We also photograph resorts, hotels, restaurants, events and you will be bringing our travel and event expertise towards the wedding market. In this changing economy, we need to expand our client list. We also have stock photos on
LE: We have worked for Vantage Deluxe World Travel, Tauck World Discovery, Viking River Cruises, Grand Circle Travel and GWV Vacations. We continued the trips making use of their passengers, photographing the scenery, the iconic landmarks, individuals, the culture as well as the passengers having a great time. We often photograph the interiors of the riverboats or hotels also.
Please carry on to page 2 to learn what photography equipment and accessories Jim and Lisa consider a vital part of their travel photography. You'll also learn what the greatest challenges and advantages of travel photography are, and a whole lot.
BH: I imagine that travelling from spot to place, every single day, you learn how to pack only what's necessary. So, what are 'must haves" of your camera bag?
JE: We shoot with Nikon equipment. I pack to possess all my primary equipment inside my carry-on bag. I may carry a lot of, but I want to be flexible if I need something for the special shot. Here's what's within my camera bag:
LE: I try to help keep it light because carrying heavy equipment for 8-12 hours each day is no fun. Here's my list:
BH: What are the greatest challenges you encounter from being a travel photographer?
JE: The speed where we are forced to work ' it's not at all unusual to be effective 18-hour days and rush from location to location. Most individuals assignments require us to shoot inside the instant moment and move ahead. I would love an assignment where I could plan and shoot a scene over time.
LE: We are usually on a guided tour with passengers so you have limited time in each location and it may be at the wrong time with the wrong light about the 'must have shot".
BH: What do you like the most about like a travel photographer?
JE: I love to experience new cultures and developing a whole new visual world open to me, and meeting new people, studying their lives in addition to their food.
LE: I love being able to experience different cultures and seeing through my own eyes all of the beautiful issues that I had observed in books or movies. We have met some wonderful people on our journeys now have friends worldwide.
BH: What's the worst thing containing happened to you on the job?
JE: I had to shoot interiors on a mega yacht in rough water. Being below deck with all the boat rocking; I had to accomplish everything I could to accomplish the job and from getting sick.
LE: I was riding in an open-air jeep in South Africa; I put my camera within my camera bag and hang up in for the floor. Bad move! The ride was so rough over dirt roads that this constant movement rendered my camera useless. We still had 72 hours left in our trip...3 days without a working camera. Luckily, I was capable of getting it repaired once we returned home for $200, but lost out on many great shots those previous couple of days. Jim now carries an additional camera body.

We've saved the very best for last! Continue on to page 3 to find out what the pros consider to get the 5 best tips that any aspiring travel photographer ought to know. You'll also learn what Jim and Lisa's favourite travel photos are, and where they manage to get thier ideas and inspiration from. Valuable contact info can also be found for the next page...
BH: What are 5 tips you'd share with somebody who is definitely learning travel photography?
JE:
LE:

BH: From your portfolio, precisely what are your two favourite photos, and what makes them your favourite?
JE: I was photographing an African woman weaving a mat. When I sat on the ground, foot-to-foot with your ex she looked over me and smiled ' I loved the link we made.
I is at Iceland and saw a church within the middle of nowhere on the base of the glacier capped volcano. I loved the size and how the red from the small church draws your eye from the immense volcano.
LE: I shot a table and chairs inside a courtyard in a chateau in France which in fact had an incredible view of the autumn vineyards. Every time I see that shot I can picture myself present, experiencing and enjoying the view while drinking coffee or glass of vino. Every woman I have shown it to contains the same reaction. It transports you.
The photo of the Russian countryside from the water would be a result of being in the right place at the right time. It had been raining all morning and also the sun came out for about 5 minutes, once we passed this beautiful scene, I was lucky enough to become there with camera in hand. The sunlight helps make the autumn colors glow.
BH: Where do your opinions and inspiration result from?
JE: I spent my childhood years with National Geographic and constantly admired the truly amazing photographers that worked for that magazine. I was transported to every location they photographed. I need to capture that same quality with my photos.
LE: No matter exactly what the language, a smile and a camera can open many doors. I can get overwhelmed having a big busy scene so I often take many detail shots to warm-up (close-ups of architecture, flowers, food, art, etc.). This inspires me since it helps me hold the essence in the scene then I can shoot the complete scene and get a better shot.
BH: Where should people check out see more of the work, or contact you about your services?
We will travel anywhere; worldwide or right in our own backyard to photograph an assignment. Travel assignments, events, resorts, your wedding day...where ever you look, we'll shoot it.
Call Lisa to learn more about our services and availability: 781-942-0682
Our travel photography portfolio is often a small sampling from the different trips we have taken. For a more in-depth view of our work and recent photo assignments check out For more details about Jim's background you can go to his LinkedIn profile.
I wish to thank Jim and Lisa for taking time faraway from their busy schedule to answer everything we ever wanted to find out about travel photography. Thanks!
Did you see this interview helpful? In the next month, we'll be speaking with several professional photographers who are experts in specific areas of photography. Want to learn what commercial photography is about? How about nature photography? Perhaps you have been thinking about learning to be a spa photographer but would like more information...
Keep checking in because we'll have these topics and much more covered inside the near future.