I see it all the time.

Photographers hopping from country to country, chasing new landscapes, seeking inspiration in places far from home.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Travel photography is incredible.

But I'm going to be honest about something,

I don’t have that deep desire to travel the world.

Don't get me wrong

I'd love to go to Italy, Japan, Canada..

but it's not my motivator

I used to think that made me less of a photographer.

That if I wasn’t constantly going on mountain hikes in Europe or wandering the streets of Tokyo with a camera in hand, I was missing something.

That my work wouldn’t be as “good” or “worthy” because it wasn’t taken in some bucket-list location.

But over time, I realised something.

Photography isn’t about where you are.

It’s about how you see.

Some of the best images I’ve taken weren’t in some far-off destination.

They were in my own backyard, familiar streets, everyday moments, places I’ve walked past a hundred times.

And when I really started to pay attention

I saw just how much was already in front of me.

The beauty of my own city. The way surfers ride waves at my local beaches. A moment between strangers. The way the east coast of Australia has stunning cliffs.

That’s when I knew.

I didn’t need to go anywhere to be a better photographer.

I just needed to start seeing differently.

So if you’ve ever felt like you need to travel to capture something special.

Let me stop you right there.

Instead, try this next time you go out:

📍 Find Leading Lines. Roads, shadows, staircases, pathways, lines that pull the eye into your frame. They’re everywhere.

👥 Look for People & Moments. A stranger waiting at a bus stop, a couple laughing, a dog pulling on its leash, real moments that tell a story.

☀️ Pay Attention to Light. Notice how it changes throughout the day. The way it hits buildings, the glow of streetlights at night, reflections in puddles after rain. Shoot in golden hour, everything in golden hour looks beautiful.

🔍 Appreciate the Small Details – Look at things closer, notice the textures, patterns the symmetry. The things most people walk past without even noticing. Start getting closer or (if you have a telephoto lens) zoom in. Get rid of the clutter.

The best photographers don’t rely on epic locations.

They create magic in the ordinary.

So save your money. Italy isn’t going anywhere.

Your best shots are already waiting for you.

Right in your own backyard.

I hope this helped or inspired you. Let’s keep growing and improving together 🎨

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