Ten things we learned at The Masterclasses with National Geographic Traveller 2020
The Masterclasses with National Geographic Traveller returned on Sunday 2 February with a packed day of expert-led workshops and seminars on travel writing and photography.
Following on from a successful first event in 2018, The Masterclasses saw more than 350 attendees gather to learn from 24 award-winning writers and photographers. The speakers and moderators included the editors and long-time contributors to National Geographic Traveller (UK), all sharing their technical know-how alongside tricks, tips and anecdotes.
Held at the University of Westminster, the event covered everything from pitching winning ideas and creating standout landscape photography to the do鈥檚 and don鈥檛s of travel writing. Here are 10 takeaways:
1. Don鈥檛 pitch the same story to multiple publications. 鈥淧itch to a publication and send reminders up to three times,鈥� says travel writer Emma Thompson. 鈥淭hen move on to the next title.鈥� Keep it concise 鈥� between 100 and 150 words 鈥� or you run the risk of being ignored.
2. Find inspiration for your first writing assignment. 鈥淥n your first attempt at travel writing, don鈥檛 feel bad about travelling somewhere off your own financial backing,鈥� advises Jonathan Lorie, director of Travellers鈥� Tales, a training agency for travel writers. 鈥淵ou probably won鈥檛 get a commission, as the editors don鈥檛 know you 鈥� but make sure to still look for stories and interviews!鈥�
3. Write up your notes as soon as possible. 鈥淎ll the imagery will be in your mind; it鈥檒l be fresh,鈥� says Kate Simon, travel writer. 鈥淲hile most people start writing once they get back home, it can also be good to write as you go along,鈥� she added.
4. Keep yourself out of the narrative. 鈥淭he only reason you should be in a travel piece is if it鈥檚 telling readers something about the place,鈥� says Julia Buckley, a regular contributor to National Geographic Traveller. 鈥淧eople going on about 鈥榤e, me, me鈥� is one of my bugbears in travel writing.鈥�
5. Always think about the sense of place. 鈥淭he most important thing is what you鈥檙e viewing, smelling, feeling,鈥� says Adrian Phillips, managing director of Bradt Travel Guides. His top three tips: look at the tiny details; avoid cliches; and see it as if you鈥檙e seeing it for the first time.
6. When writing long-form, know what your ending will be before you start the piece. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know your ending, the whole piece can fall apart,鈥� says travel writer Emma Gregg. Julia Buckley suggests playing around with chronology, too: 鈥淚 like it when the start and the end [of a piece] tie into each other.鈥�
7. 鈥淲hen planning a travel shoot, remember to include both landscape and portrait images,鈥� says location photographer Richard James Taylor. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e more likely to get a cover image with a portrait shot.鈥�
8. If you鈥檙e taking an adventure shot, always consider the risks. 鈥淲hen it comes to risk versus reward鈥� as much as the creative image sells well, always think: what if?鈥� advises filmmaker Richard Pencott.
9. Landscape photography involves being creative. 鈥淒on鈥檛 shoot what it looks like 鈥� shoot what it feels like,鈥� says photographer Lola Akinmade 脜kerstr枚m. 鈥淎nd remember to be creative: a landscape shot doesn鈥檛 have to be horizontal.鈥�
10. Consider the environment. 鈥淔ly less and make every flight count,鈥� suggests Emma Gregg. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 suggest everyone stops flying, but that they think about how often they鈥檙e flying and why.鈥� And thinking thoroughly about your reasons for travelling is key. 鈥淭he poorest countries in need of tourism are often the furthest away,鈥� says Adrian Phillips.
Missed The Masterclasses? Check the for our upcoming events.