As a travel vlogger, I'm constantly on the go, and my life is a whirlwind of flights and airports. I've always been drawn to the unique charm of airports, so I never miss a chance to realize airport photo ideas whenever I'm on a journey in the US or abroad.
Some people may think there's nothing worth photographing in airports besides selfies for Instagram, but that's far from the truth. Today, I'm excited to share my favorite ideas and tips for airport photography. Plus, I'll cover some essential safety measures to ensure you don't accidentally break any rules while snapping your shots.
Modern airports are architectural marvels in their own right. So, I believe they are must-have subjects for any travel photo collection.
Take photos of the airport itself and include yourself in the frame to showcase its grandeur. Stand by your luggage and capture your genuine feelings of anticipation for the upcoming adventure. Remember to play around with different angles and perspectives.
If you're traveling with others, get candid or posed shots of your companions with the airport as the backdrop. Seize moments of excitement, relaxation, or special interactions that make travel memorable.
Snap a photo of the departure board displaying all the destinations. Highlight your own destination to add a personal touch. This kind of aesthetic travel photography will elevate your Instagram feed and convey your excitement for the long-awaited journey.
Don’t miss the chance to capture the sheer scale of the airport's interior, especially its captivating architecture. Highlight the lofty ceilings, massive windows, and eye-pleasing design. Pay attention to the finer details like airport signage, luggage carousels, or security checkpoints. These can provide creative opportunities for abstract photography ideas.
For this type of shot, I recommend using a wide-angle lens to capture as much of the airport's interior as possible.
After going through all the check-in and baggage inspection procedures, people usually have plenty of time before their flights. So, why not make the most of it by playing with trendy airport photo ideas?
Take some candid photos where you're simply sitting and waiting for your flight, looking at your phone, reading a book in a relaxed pose, or savoring a fragrant cup of coffee.
Photos where you're seated by a wide terminal window, watching planes take off and land, are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also demonstrate the dreamy anticipation before a journey. Harness the natural light pouring through the windows for stunning silhouette photography or play with backlighting for added dramatic effect.
You can also take some posed shots with your luggage. For instance, rest your knee on your suitcase while standing sideways to the camera, and smile. You can also lean against it or push a trolley.
While sitting in the lounge area next to your suitcase, drape one leg over it towards the camera and strike a relaxed pose. This photo will look even more aesthetic if you have a tasty drink in your hand.
Photos with a passport at the airport look so Instagram-worthy. Just photograph it with your boarding pass inside, against the backdrop of luggage and a bustling airport. Besides, you can snap a few shots of yourself with the passport.
For instance, you can also kneel on your suitcase or sit on it, and hold your passport up high.
You can sit on the floor next to your suitcase, slightly bend your legs, hold your passport in hand, and angle it towards the camera to cover your face. If you take this photo against a window, it will look even more striking.
If you're traveling with your partner, here's a fun twist on the 'follow me' trend: hold hands around the same passport, making sure to include the photographer's hand in the shot. Or just capture your excitement before the flight with your passports and sincere smiles. It's a simple and atmospheric couple photography idea.
Even in seemingly ordinary places like travelators, you can snap some fun photos. For example, take an overhead shot of your feet next to your suitcase and passport with a ticket in hand against the backdrop of the moving walkways.
Another fun idea is to stand in front of the person taking your photo and tilt your head slightly over your shoulder.
While exploring the airport, take photos through windows or glass barriers. This way, you can capture intriguing reflections and layered images with unique patterns and effects.
The way along the jet bridge to the airplane is one of the most exhilarating moments of travel, filled with joy and anticipation before takeoff. Capture these sincere emotions to remember your adventure.
Take some group photos with your friends or partner, and also snap a few portraits against such a charming backdrop.
You can also take a few quick staged photos, like sitting on the floor next to your suitcase, displaying your passport and ticket. The enchanting backdrop will do half the work for you
You can also experiment with airport photo ideas near the plane. For instance, take a shot of your hand holding the ticket with the airplane in the background. You can also capture a photo of the aircraft door, making sure the airline logo is visible.
Also, capture yourself ascending the stairs to the plane, with a joyful expression on your face.
Capture the plane on the runway against the backdrop of the airport and terminal buildings. I also pay attention to the plane's shadow on the runway, as it looks very intriguing.
If it's overcast or raining, don’t worry. Take advantage of puddles or wet surfaces to capture reflections of the plane. I like experimenting with different angles to showcase the symmetry and reflections.
Once seated on the plane, I'm sure you will document the grandeur of the airport and the runways through your airplane window.
Organize your bag thoughtfully. When realizing airport photo ideas, you definitely want to get your camera out promptly. Considering that there may be lots of stressful moments, it is highly recommended to keep your bag neatly organized. I always have a compact camera like the Ricoh GR in my pocket, or if I have a bag, I ensure my camera is easily accessible for quick shots.
Be very careful. When you're at an airport, it's not like being in a public place, it's more like being in someone's private domain. Especially since 9/11, people are very tense and alert. If you're taking photos, make sure not to appear suspicious with your camera. I've been stopped for photography even at a bus station. You can imagine how much stricter they are at an airport.
Avoid photographing people directly or ensure they are not easily identifiable. As a rule of thumb, don’t take images featuring other people. Imagine how you'd feel if you noticed a stranger taking photos of you or your kids in a waiting area. It would naturally seem suspicious. Therefore, don’t direct your camera at anyone, especially since people are already on edge.
Besides, many laws governing street photography are stringent regarding private spaces. It's better to capture street scenes that do not feature human subjects whenever feasible.
However, that doesn’t imply you must exclude people from your photos entirely. You can integrate them in other ways, such as capturing silhouettes of people sitting down or gazing out of windows.
Photographing crowds is generally acceptable. In this case, you don’t take pictures of individuals at airports, but shift the focus from single persons to a crowd.
Pay attention to reflections. With numerous windows and reflective surfaces, explore these elements to capture intriguing shots with shadows. Don’t underestimate the floors either. They often have a glossy finish in airports, offering excellent opportunities for creative reflection photography.
Make sure to glance out the windows. By doing so, you can take dramatic and atmospheric shots, especially when there are stunning cloud formations.
Snapping photos for personal use is generally okay at airports. However, there may be specific rules at different airports. Here's how to track down the photography guidelines for any airport:
Check out the airport's website. Most airports include a comprehensive information section where you can find details on security regulations or passenger guidelines that may cover photography. With this information in mind, it will be easier to choose appropriate airport photo ideas.
Explore social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook. Numerous airports maintain active profiles there. Search for posts discussing photography or send them a direct message to inquire about their guidelines.
Pay attention to the signs around the terminal at airports. They often remind passengers about specific areas where photography may be restricted.
Approach security personnel. Ask about any rules regarding photography.
