Amazing Travel Photos With a GoPro: Tips, Tricks, & Tools

Travel Photos with GoPro

Learning to take great travel photos with a GoPro changed my life.

Alright, alright, so maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit.  BUT!  When I ordered my first GoPro last year, I knew my travel photos were about to be taken to the next level.  I was about to head to Central America and I knew the trip would be rife with opportunities for adventurous action shots, underwater footage, and awesome selfies that included more than just my big head.

Since then, I’ve taken GoPro travel photos everywhere from Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua to Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain to kayaking adventures in Maui, Hawaii.  Through trial and error, I’ve gotten pretty good at consistently getting great shots.

Today I want to share my best tips with you so that those of you who already have a GoPro can learn from my mistakes, and those of you who aren’t yet convinced that a GoPro is ideal for travel might finally see the light.  If a GoPro isn’t on your wishlist, it might just be the perfect gift for the travel enthusiast or adventure lover in your life so they can save their epic memories, too.Take great travel photos with a GoPro and these awesome accessories.

Why You Need to Travel With a GoPro

Travel photos with a GoPro have a little something extra, a little bit more excitement than your average travel photo.  One of the features I love most is its ultra-wide angle lens.  It lends a unique perspective to ordinary shots and allows you to get way more of your surroundings in the frame than you would otherwise.  It’s the closest thing I have to a fisheye, so it comes out whenever I want to capture a lot or want that added distortion.

Travel Photos with a GoPro
4-wheeling in Santorini, shot with my Hero 3+ Silver Edition

Most GoPro cameras come standard with a waterproof case (or the body is waterproof on its own, like the new Hero4 Session) meaning you can take your GoPro out in wet weather conditions or if you’re out on the water where you wouldn’t risk bringing other cameras.  The minuscule size also allows you to carry your GoPro everywhere without feeling weighed down.  When not in use, you won’t draw unwanted attention because you can simply stow it away in a small bag or even a pocket.  Its convenience is unparalleled.GoPro travel photo from Paris, France

GoPros are ideal travel cameras for all styles of travelers.  When solo, getting shots of yourself is a breeze, either with a simple yet awesome selfie (see below) or by setting the camera on continuous shooting mode and finding a stable place to set it.  And it’s wide enough that group selfies are no problem, either, especially if you’ve got a small extension handle or a selfie stick.

My Top Tips for Amazing Travel Photos With a GoPro

1. Take tons of photos

Unfortunately, most GoPro models do not have a viewing screen to help you frame your shot perfectly the first time, so you’ll find it’s best to shoot prolifically to ensure that at least one of them comes out the way you want it (models that currently include an LCD screen are the Hero+ LCD and the Hero4 Silver, or you can buy a viewing screen separately).  You’ll have to experiment a bit to get the angle just right–what might feel like slight variations in your hand can produce drastically different results in your photos.  It’s also important to keep unwanted things (and people) out of your periphery.

Travel photos with a GoPro
Unwanted bits and bobs at the edges can be eliminated…
Travel photos with a GoPro
…with a slight change in angle

I have two GoPro cameras, the Hero 3+ Silver Edition and GoPro’s newest and smallest camera, the Hero4 Session.  My favorite way to shoot with my Hero3+ is by setting it to shoot continuously, taking one photo every five seconds.  The greatest part of this feature is that a countdown appears on the front screen so I know exactly when it’ll take and can get my next shot ready.  My Hero4 Session has a continuous shooting mode as well, but by default it takes one photo every half second which is far too rapid, in my opinion, and can lead to blurred images.  However, this setting can be changed by connecting the camera to your phone using its WiFi capabilities and controlling it through the GoPro app.  Either way, taking a ton of photos is one of the best ways to make sure at least a few come out perfect–free from blur, poor framing, obstructions, or just plain old bad timing.

Travel photos with a GoPro
Not quite right…
Travel photos with a GoPro
Nailed it

2. Embrace the Selfie

I wasn’t big on selfies before I got my GoPro, but I think the problem was that I wanted travel photos, not photos of my big fat face and nothing else.  But the wide angle of GoPro lenses allows you to capture so much more than just you, and the results can be pretty incredible.  You don’t even need a selfie stick–in fact, I could hold the camera no more than a foot from my face and still get tons of stuff in the background.  That’s the beauty of the GoPro selfie!  Check out some of my favorite selfies from my travels over the past year.

GoPro Travel Selfie Panama
Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro, Panama
GoPro Travel Selfie Barcelona
Exploring Park Güell, Barcelona
GoPro Travel Selfie SUP in Costa Brava, Spain
Stand-up paddling in Costa Brava, Spain
GoPro Travel Selfie, Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
Canoeing on Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
GoPro Travel Selfie Ulcinj, Montenegro
Looking down on Ulcinj, Montenegro
GoPro Travel Selfie Hiking in Koh Tao, Thailand
Hiking in Koh Tao, Thailand
Travel Photos with a GoPro, Diving in Koh Tao
Scuba selfie in Koh Tao

3. Accessorize

Your GoPro will come with adhesive mounts, allowing you to attach your camera to a number of surfaces, curved or flat.  But it’s fun to switch up the perspective with other accessories, too.  My head strap allows me to get hands-free shots that show things from my point of view, which is awesome for photos but particularly cool when shooting videos.

Travel Photos with a GoPro
Shot with headstrap
Travel Photos with a GoPro
Shot with headstrap

I now also have a small hand grip that doubles as a tripod, a versatile hand/wrist/arm/leg strap, and some multi-purpose straps so I can experiment to my heart’s content.  And because you’ll be capturing a large volume of photos and videos, I recommend purchasing a 32 or 64 GB micro SD card.

Other accessories that can keep your GoPro photography fresh and exciting include:

1) 3-in-1 mount 2) helmet mount 3) flex clamp 4) chest strap 5) smart remote to control your camera from afar 6) dog harnessTake great travel photos with a GoPro and these awesome accessories.

4. Edit, edit, edit

GoPro photos can look pretty lackluster straight out of the camera, so it’s important to have a good editing solution at your disposal.  If you upload the photos straight to your iPhone, an app like Snapseed could do the trick.  I’ve found that Instagram’s new editing features are more than sufficient as well if your photos are going directly there.

I use Adobe Lightroom for all of my editing. You can read all about my editing process for travel photos and find great Lightroom tutorials here.

If you’re not ready to throw down on professional editing software, PicMonkey is a great alternative.  Here is an example of a GoPro photo before and after processing in Lightroom:

Travel Photos with a GoPro, Park Guell, Barcelona
Before
Travel Photos with a GoPro, Park Guell, Barcelona
After


5. Recharge often

If you ask me, the biggest downside to GoPro cameras is that the battery life is quite short, especially when shooting video.  If I ever use my GoPro two days in a row, I always have to charge it in between.  If you plan to use it for long stretches of time, it might be worthwhile to invest in a portable power pack, extra batteries, or a GoPro dual battery charger.

6. Keep Your Lens & Case Smudge Free

There’s nothing worse than realizing after a day of shooting that your lens or case has been smudged the whole time.  I don’t even know how it happens sometimes, but now I always give both the camera and the inside and outside of my case a good swipe with a microfiber cloth.


Travel Photos with a GoPro
Not as crisp as it could be due to a smudged case

7. Get Wet

All I ever wanted out of a camera was the ability to take it everywhere with me–including under the sea!  Sadly, GoPro’s performance suffers a little bit in low light conditions, but you can still get great images underwater.  The original GoPro cameras come with a waterproof housing which lets you safely take the camera as deep as 40 meters (131 feet), perfect for dive enthusiasts.  The Hero4 Session has a waterproof body, but only down to 10 meters (33 feet).

Travel Photos with a GoPro, Diving in Koh Tao
Addy in her element in Koh Tao
Travel Photos with a GoPro, Diving in Koh Tao
That’s me! Diving in Koh Tao

The low light beneath the surface means you’re more susceptible to blurred images, so try to hold the camera as still as possible while shooting.  The deeper you go and the farther you are from your light source, colors become severely muted, so don’t expect underwater shots to be as vivid as those on dry land.  Furthermore, you’ll need to be extremely close to your subjects for any sort of clarity.

Travel Photos with a GoPro, Snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui
Too far from my subject, can you spot the turtle?
Travel Photos with a GoPro, Snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui
Closer and better lighting near the surface, but still too far away
Travel Photos with GoPro, Snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui
Amazing shot taken by our Maui Kayak Adventures guide

8. Think Outside the Box

The compact size, wide angle, and ability to go just about anywhere make GoPro the perfect camera to experiment with. I’m always impressed with people’s creativity, and now that I’ve got fun new mounts I can’t wait to see what awesome images I can produce.  For some GoPro inspiration, head to Instagram and search #BeAHero.

On that note, I’ll leave you with a few more of my favorite shots so far.

Travel Photos with GoPro
Barcelona, Spain
Travel Photos with GoPro
Costa Brava, Spain
Sea kayaking on the island of Milos, Greece
Milos, Greece
Aquarius Beach Club, Ulcinj, Montenegro
Ulcinj, Montenegro
Travel Photos with GoPro
Maui, Hawaii

Pin It!Amazing tips for how to take stunning GoPro travel photos!!

Do you take travel photos with a GoPro?  What’s your camera of choice?


GoPro generously provided me with my very own Hero4 Session and accessory case, but as always, opinions presented here are entirely my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

38 comments

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Awesome Brenna, do it! It’s been such a great camera to have 🙂

  • Lavi

    Awesome tips, Leah! I’ve had my GoPro for 3 months now and still haven’t gotten the hang of it, so I can’t wait to test out your techniques! Your pictures always come out so great! xo
    Lavi recently posted…Not Your Average Bicycle Ride Around Isla de OmetepeMy Profile

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Aw, thanks girl! Let me know how it goes! 🙂

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Woohoo! It’s a great travel camera, you’ll love it! 🙂

  • Traveling Jackie

    Brilliant. Love my GoPro, I keep mine on the continuous shooting as well, although I do every 2 seconds so I don’t have to wait as long (I still love the confused look people get when they ask if this is a video). Nope! Just keep smiling! 😉

    One thing I would add to this is that although there are lots of older versions of GoPros still on the market, you need to get at least a Hero 3+ to get the WiFi/Bluetooth network to be able to transfer photos to your phone right away. Absolutely worth it. Great post, Leah! Makes me want to go adventuring…
    Traveling Jackie recently posted…9 Online Gifts for Travelers On The GoMy Profile

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Ha, maybe I should play around with the timing a bit, I’ve always thought 5 seconds was okay but maybe it is a little long between shots. Glad you liked the post! 🙂

  • Tiffany

    I’ve been thinking if I should get a GoPro or not for a while. And now I think I should really give it a try! thanks for sharing!! 🙂

    • Leah Davis (author)

      That’s great Tiffany! I think you’d have a lot of fun with it 🙂

  • Ganesh Gowtham

    Thanks for the simple yet informative post!! I am definitely getting one tomorrow!

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Awesome! Glad to hear it, enjoy!

    • Leah Davis (author)

      So glad to hear that! I think a GoPro would be perfect for hiking! Happy travels 🙂

  • Jeka

    I love your blog! Awesome tips! I wonder. What camera are you using on your travels except gopro. I got my Panasonic Lumix 3 for quiet years now. And not using them on my trips coz i’m not pretty good at camera settings, so i always leave it at home. I always use my gopro for my trips and my phone.? Travel Philippines soon. Check my instagram @jequez!? Safe travels!

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Thanks a lot, Jeka! I travel with a Canon Rebel SL1, a very basic DSLR. That’s what I typically choose to shoot with unless I’m going near water or need something more compact like the GoPro. In a pinch, I’ll shoot with my iPhone. Will check your Insta for sure! Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Hannah

    Leah! Great post! I love to dive with my GoPro and have found that you can use filters to get better underwater shots! As you dive deeper you lose certain colors as the light penetrates the water less and less. There are a number of filters for different depths but the most common is a red filter (there’s yellow and orange for closer to the surface and purple for very deep). These are great for diving and really reduce that all over green look you get! I’ve tried to edit after the fact and they just never turn out the same! GoPro sells their own version but there are some cheap filters out there too! One tip though is to make sure if you’re taking pictures back on the surface to take the filter off! I have some photos that would have been amazing if only they weren’t filtered red!

  • Chad

    Hi there, Leah! I’ve just found your blog via Pinterest and I must say that I’m loving it! This post, however (the one that I found on Pinterest actually), had me absolutely excited! As a solo traveler myself, I don’t wind up taking very many photos. The cameras that I do have just don’t cut it for me and though I’m willing to spend money on a good quality one, I don’t want something too bulky.
    That being said, I’ve been considering a GoPro for a bit now but haven’t been able to convince myself. I think you may just have! And with any luck it’ll inspire me to make more photos and spruce up my own blog.

    Thanks for the inspiring post!!

    • Leah Davis (author)

      So awesome to hear that Chad! I think a GoPro is a great choice for a travel camera, it’s so versatile and compact. Best of luck!

  • Shya

    Hello Leah!
    I googled on how to use GoPro for better travelling photo and got here! My GoPro 3+ black has been in slumbers for quite a while and now I am pumped on taking it out and giving it another try! Thanks for the tips and tricks, and I do hope this time I stick to it.. 🙂

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Hey Shya! Wonderful news! I forget to take my GoPro out for stretches at a time, and am always so pleased when I start to again! I have some great new shots I should add to this post, in fact. Thanks for reading, and good luck! 😀

  • Chelsea

    Would love to know what lightroom settings you’re using for your gopro?

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Hey Chelsea! The adjustments I make in Lightroom will vary from photo to photo, but I do find that increasing both the clarity and vibrance really helps to make GoPro photos pop. I also typically lower the highlights. You might just have to play around with it until you find your style 🙂 Hope that helps!

  • Melissa

    This is exactly what I’ve been needing! I bought the GoPro Hero5 recently, and am struggling to get good shots. I see now that a big part of it is in the editing. Thanks for sharing!

  • Allison

    Great read. I’ve always wanted a GoPro mostly for its lightweight, waterproof convenience. As much as I love my DSLR, I don’t always enjoy lugging it around.

  • Lyndsy

    This is kind of fabulous. I’ve only been travelling with my dslr. I need to get on this!!

  • Andrea

    What a great read!!! I bought my GoPro Hero 4 as a Christmas gift to myself and i love it! It’s refreshing to read these tips as I have learned through trial and error how to take a good picture. And Yes I have about 4 extra batteries, They drain out so quickly!

  • Claire

    Haha this post made me sad… because I was an absolute fool a month ago and dropped mine in the sea while filming whale sharks!

    Possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, not only have I lost a GoPro but I’ve contributed to all of the rubbish at the bottom of the sea… Not good! So I’d definitely advise any readers to invest in a wrist strap and use it – trust me dropping it is VERY easily done!

    Nice post and I definitely agree – I’m going to have to get a new GoPro very soon because they’re such great little devices for travelling!

  • Corinne

    I really need to get one of these! Most of my travel photography is taken on my Nikon DSLR or my phone and either way it can be limiting. My camera plus lenses, case, equipment gets so heavy, and my phone lacks quality and storage space. Perhaps I’ll ask all my friends and relatives to club together and buy me a GoPro for Christmas as I can’t afford one right now!

  • Victoria Ward

    I have a GoPro and I barely use it due to its extremely short battery life. This article has convinced me to pick it back up again.
    Thanks

  • Mireille

    Nice tips 🙂 I will definitely try to use the gopro more for pics now. I only used it to take videos until now 🙂

  • Claudia

    Hi Leah,

    really good post. Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂

  • Janine Good

    Leah, this was very helpful! We are looking at buying a Go Pro and this made it more convincing on the quality of photos! Great post thanks so much.

  • Alyssa | Peacock + Bear

    I’ve been dying to get my hands on a GoPro to be able to take better images. I’ll be bookmarking your post, for sure!

  • lalab

    Great blog, Leah! I’m planning to get the latest GoPro6, this helps me a lot. 🙂
    Be safe on all your future travels. ♥

    • Leah Davis (author)

      Really glad you found it useful! Safe travels to you!

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