How to get… Travel assignments
Jordan Banks
Jordan Banks is a pro landscape and travel photographer who produces images for a wide variety of commercial and editorial clients, as well as running travel workshops worldwide. For more information: www.jordanbanksphoto.com
Most travel, lifestyle and landscape photographers dream of getting an assignment to a beautiful and idyllic far-flung destination to shoot for a magazine, tourist board or brand, but it’s not always that easy. There is no sure-fire way to nab this sort of assignment, but there are a few tips and tricks I’ve learnt over the years that may just help swing the scales in your favour – not just to get that dream assignment in the first place, but to keep them coming, by working smart before you set off and while on location.
You have to put yourself in the minds of your clients and viewers to produce high-quality, unique and engaging images that will keep you busier than you thought possible. If you can produce the required imagery that is both original and effective for a campaign, advert or editorial, there is no reason your client won’t come back to you for their next project. There are no shortcuts to knowledge and experience, but it’s always good to set off on the right foot.
Here’s how I go about obtaining commissions, from pitching the initial idea to ensuring I deliver not only what’s asked for, but something that exceeds expectations…
Assignment #1
LOCATION: PATAGONIA
CLIENT: EXPLORA
I had wanted to get myself to Patagonia for years but the jobs weren’t coming up for this area, so I took the matter into my own hands. Among other organizations, I got in touch with the team at adventure travel company Explora about the possibility of shooting some commercial images for their marketing and social channels. After taking a look through my portfolio and pitch, we thrashed out a deal that suited us and, before I knew it, I was on a plane to the bottom of the world!
Assignment #2
LOCATION: US NATIONAL PARKS
CLIENT: CRUISE AMERICA
After connecting via Instagram, whilst on another shoot in Utah a few months previously, I was contacted by Cruise America with the request of exploring the national and state parks in one of their recreational vehicles (RVs). They wanted to show off the amazing
