Sustainable Photography Ideas for Outdoor Travel and Tourism

As a travel and outdoor commercial lifestyle photographer, outdoor locations play an important role in my business. Beyond my work, I am passionate about understanding environmental sustainability and learning about practices on how to focus my efforts on better supporting the planet.

As a photographer, I try to incorporate eco-friendly practices in my work. While my photography business isn’t fully-sustainable and there are plenty of ways that I can improve, it’s good to recognize sustainable ideas that can be put into practice.

In this blog, I’m sharing eco-friendly and sustainable photography ideas for outdoor travel and tourism. I hope this blog will be useful for ethical brands, tourism boards, fellow photographers and creatives looking to document/implement sustainable practices in their environment, and anyone interested in environmental sustainability.

Eco-Friendly Transportation

Instead of driving to photography locations, you can consider energy-efficient alternatives such as public transportation, biking, or even walking to nearby locations.

Whether I’m living in Los Angeles or travelling to another country, I pretty much always opt for public transportation like the bus or metro.

In different parts of the Greater Los Angeles area, you can find e-bikes and scooters from companies like Spin and Veo, which is a good sustainable alternative to driving (especially with how difficult parking can be in the city).

For me personally, I try to walk to locations as much as I can, or make the most out of one location if another location is too far. Occasionally I might carpool, but taking advantage of energy-efficient alternatives is a great way to positively contribute towards the environment.

Promoting Sustainable Environmental Organizations

This year I had the fortunate opportunity to work with TreePeople, one of the largest environmental organizations in Southern California. As an outdoor lifestyle photographer, I documented the volunteers and members working on sustainable practices including reforestation, planting trees, removing debris from the ground, and more.

Documenting these practices not only supports local organizations that are passionate and work to promote sustainability, but can also positively influence others to learn more about their environment and encourage them to follow suit in helping the environment.

"Brian has an amazing eye. It’s a pleasure to work with such a talented and generous person. He perfectly captured TreePeople’s restoration projects at our Coldwater Canyon Park headquarters and the L.A. River Greenway." 

Kai McDaniel | Public Relations Specialist | TreePeople

Natural Light vs. Artificial Light PHOTOGRAPHY

Most of my photography is done with natural light. Whether I’m taking photos of landscapes, street photography, or working with models for an outdoor lifestyle photoshoot, I don’t bring my own lighting equipment - I rely on whatever light source is already available to me.

For me, using natural light is not just about implementing energy-efficient alternatives, but I also find natural light to look the most authentic in a photo - especially when shooting outdoors. When I photograph models, I usually take photos during sunrise or sunset based on my own preference as a photographer.

Understandably, there are times when artificial light is going to be necessary for the job and to get the necessary image. Light is one of the most (and in my opinion THE most) important factor in producing a good photo. As a result, there is a much bigger benefit when you have control over a light setup, which is much more difficult to do with natural light.

As a street photographer, I do like to shoot at night when businesses will have the lights on in the building. From neon signs to cars driving on the highway, there are plenty of photos I enjoy taking at night where artificial lights play a huge role in some of my photos. 

Beauty of Nature & Outdoor Locations

Another idea for producing a sustainable photoshoot is simply showcasing the beauty of outdoor nature destinations like beaches, forests, and mountains.

Photography is both a technical and emotional medium, where visuals can impact how a person perceives their environment. As a travel photographer, I love showcasing the beauty of both cityscapes, architecture, and natural environments.

Final Thoughts

If you are an outdoor photographer looking to find ways to showcase sustainability in your art, or if you’re a travel brand or tourism board wanting to promote sustainability in your location, I hope this blog will provide a starting point for ideas.

I have been very grateful for the opportunity to work with local Los Angeles businesses and support their eco-friendly initiatives and raise awareness towards building a more sustainable future.

While my own photography business is far from being perfect, I hope to be able to continue to improve and to collaborate with other businesses and brands that share a similar ethos.

Thank you for reading and until next time.

Feel free to explore my website further:

Outdoor Commercial Lifestyle Campaign Photography at Griffith Park

Sunset Venice Beach Photography in Los Angeles

Outdoor Lifestyle Product Photography for Watch Brands

City Lifestyle Photoshoot in Downtown Los Angeles