Author Archives: BethP

Extend Your Holiday – Travel Photographer

27th September, 2017 | Article By BethP

ActivitiesHolidaysPhotographyStudent TravelTravel Tips

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of holiday blues when they settle in. I’m sure that if it was possible, everybody would stay on holiday for as long as they could, but in reality people need to return to their everyday lives, and go to work to make money. If you’re somebody who knows their way around a camera and has a real eye for details, then travelling wherever you want could in fact become a reality. So many people are taking the leap and becoming a travelling photographer, so why not give it a go?  

Becoming a Travel Photographer:

There is no real secret to breaking into the world of photography, if you have little to no experience, but feel confident about your work and about using a camera, then it can quickly become the means to fund your new and exciting lifestyle. One of the best things about becoming a travel photographer, is that you can pick up work wherever you go, and have the freedom to pick and choose your own hours and workload. There is a lot of competition in the freelance market, so if you want to become a successful freelance travel photographer, then it’s important to make sure that you build up a commendable portfolio. This will consist of all of your best photographs and work, that you can share with your potential employers throughout your travels. Many people create their own website, which is a great way to digitally display your portfolio, and can be a way of attracting new employers.

Loving to travel, and also having a great eye is not always enough to make it as a successful travel photographer, you also need to have the patience to create the “perfect shot”, this could take a long time, and will require a lot of concentration. Translation: don’t expect success to fall into your lap, as this is unlikely to happen for you overnight.

How to make sure you get the job:

Think about it, every single newspaper, online news website, magazines, books, galleries etc. all use images. If you can break into this world and provide exciting images, then you can earn a lot of money in the process. Working in industries such as the advertising and design industries are where the highest paying positions are, but these spots are often reserved for people who have already proved their ability. Again, the key is to build up your travel photography and to make connections, if they like your work, then they will be sure to hire you. Like anything, photography takes time and effort, this isn’t something that happens overnight, so be prepared to exercise a lot of patience.

After you have refined your skills, exercised patience, and become acquainted with various different employers and avenues to take, it’s important to protect yourself and your photographs. Many freelance photographers make the mistake of failing to take out photography insurance, which can protect them from having their photographs stolen, or if the employer fails to pay them. Protecting your profession is equally as important as refining it, so be sure to take all of the necessary precautions before you agree to work for somebody.

Becoming a travelling photographer can open you up to new and exciting experiences and can take you to exciting destinations. Once you have refined your craft and developed contacts with the right people, then you are well on your way to living the dream of a never ending holiday. Be sure to exercise patience and to really focus on the goals you set yourself. Invest in a good quality camera and be sure to try out different shots, in different settings, at different times of the day, as this will help you to become a versatile and knowledgeable travel photographer.

10 Best Cities to Live and Work In

15th September, 2017 | Article By BethP

CultureLocal LifeTourist InfoTravelTravel Tips

The 10 Best Cities to Live and Work In From Around the World

The beauty of life is that we all have our personal journey, and these days that can mean many of us live and work in more than one country, let alone city in that lifetime. Each destination has its own cultural background and can offer contrasting lifestyles. To form this article I have taken that into consideration, but more so how easy is the city as a place to work in.

Cambridge

The smallest city on this list, but the traditional English city boasts a great blend of opportunity, character, wealth, and culture. It is located north east of the capital, London, and surrounds the river Cam. It is home to one of the most exclusive universities in the world, which was this year featured in number five for QS’s university rankings for 2018, continuing its victory for rankings over its rival Oxford. The average income also compares highly in the UK, at number two with an average of £35,321.

Paris

The city of romance and capital of France is placed at ninth place. It has fantastic facilities in the financial sector, La Defense, which is a short train journey from the capital. There is an abundance of history in this city, which will be inspirational to those who seek culture. It is possibly surprising that it is not higher up on the list. But, high crime, high rents, and wages that are lacking in comparison to its competitors all contribute to its position.

Zurich

The Swiss city is a key player in the world’s financial landscape, thanks to its minimal taxing policy. The abundance of wealth has contributed to the city rather than ruin it though. The picturesque city is split by the river Limmat, and is surrounded by glorious mountains. Living here comes at a financial cost, and job opportunities aren’t as readily available as in others, but it tops the list with the highest average income. Being at the heart of Europe is also a great opportunity for the adventure types who are willing to explore. The country is surrounded by France, Italy, and Germany.

Stockholm

The Swedish city is finding itself on more and more destination lists, despite the colder weather. This is because of the fantastically efficient and relaxed lifestyle that the Swedes promote. It also works hard on having a low crime rate, high wages, and a commitment to healthy living. This includes one of the more progressive environmental policies in the world, with the country aiming to be fossil free by 2050. Part of the Scandinavian success is keeping things simple, so if you want an easier, cleaner lifestyle then Stockholm should be considered.

Dubai

Think of Dubai and the first thing you are likely to think of is its unbeatable wealth and abundance in luxurious living. Seven star hotels, yachts, and fast cars, are just a few of the luxuries associated with the UAE city. All of this, coupled with a leading financial district, high average wages, and job opportunities, make Dubai an ideal destination for young expats. It is not just the lifestyle that makes Dubai so attractive though. It also boasts incredible around the year heat that is so desirable for many from North American and Europe. Laws in Dubai can be very different from western society and some do struggle to adapt.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a dominant city in the growing Chinese economy. Despite political unrest, international businesses are keen to have an office in Hong Kong as well as the more heavily populated Singapore. Hong Kong offers a much cleaner climate, and ranks very highly in the world for its low crime rates. At the moment of writing there is flexibility in obtaining working visas and businessmen from around the world make up much of the population. Hong Kong also offers stunning natural beauty.

London

One of the most historic cities in the world, London is constantly evolving and despite Brexit fears businesses are keen to keep their European headquarters in the capital. Benefits to living in London include unrivalled culture, history, and glamour. Wages are also high and thanks to ease of internationals gaining British citizenship, it is a multi-cultural hub. You can expect influences from all over the world in its restaurants, bars, and industry.  

Boston

Pipping New York is the more suburban friendly city of Boston. Just off the North Atlantic coast, Boston is a city rich in history. It is also home to 2018’s highest ranking university in the world, MIT and number three, Harvard University. The prestige of Boston has helped it become a home for excellence in North America, and average wages are higher than the neighbouring concrete jungle, New York. Although, should you want to visit New York city, there is easy transport links to and from.

San Francisco

Beating Boston because of its larger population and exposure to the sun, San Francisco is a highly desirable place to work and live. It is hard to separate the cities that make up California but San Francisco scores highly on lifestyle and job opportunities. It also boasts more culture than its neighbours. San Francisco promotes a healthy lifestyle, there is no better coastline to be at the weekend.

Sydney

Sydney ranks very highly in multiple lists and I couldn’t avoid it in this one. It is the biggest employer in Australia, and is responsible for 7% of the country’s economy. As long as you are moving to work or study, the Australians are very receptive to incomers. Sydney is well known to be multi-cultural and one of the friendliest cities. It can be very strange to be so far from any other western country but you’ll be able to enjoy a city that is growing in popularity, culture, and lifestyle.