The pull of a breathtaking location and an unforgettable adventure is difficult to resist for the creative mind. That’s especially the case for photographers who tread on the path of travel photography, understanding the breadth of visual stories it opens up. Such is the case for Tamron pro photographer Kenna Klosterman, whose approach is anchored on bringing mindfulness and emotion to the craft.
Her photography adventure began in her first photography class in high school. There she got hooked on the art of printing black and white in the darkroom. After assisting fine art photographers straight out of college then venturing into the corporate world, she eventually found her true calling: travel photography and creative education.
Many photographers capture travel scenes and sceneries to immortalize a moment or offer their worldview to an audience. But for Kenna Klosterman, there’s more to it than that. You can end up with a technically perfect image that many others have already taken. Or, you can create something that triggers an emotional connection in the viewer instead of them simply saying “That’s pretty.”
“Ten people could be standing in the same spot with the same camera and the same lens, using the same settings, and create ten completely different images. The difference is not only based on what they see, but also what they feel,” she noted.
Ever wanted to take a stab at travel photography and could use an extra push of inspiration? We invite you to read through our full interview with Kenna Klosterman below.
Editor’s Note: This post is sponsored by Tamron.
Can you tell us something about yourself and what you do?
I’m Kenna Klosterman, a third-generation Los Angelean who now lives on the magical Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. I’m a Tamron Pro and freelance photographer, mindfulness guide, global tour & retreat leader, podcaster, international emcee and educator. For over a decade I hosted 1000+ live online workshops, classes, web series and podcast episodes across the subjects of photography, video, filmmaking, graphic design, art and more for CreativeLive. I love fostering community. The throughline in everything I do is holding space for people to have transformational experiences.
How did your photography adventure begin? How did you discover the kind of work that you now do?
My first photography class was as a 15-year-old in high school. We developed our own black and white film and learned the art of printing in the darkroom. I was hooked. I can still taste and smell darkroom chemicals if I close my eyes and think about it.
Straight out of college where I studied cultural anthropology, I moved to rural Pennsylvania to assist two fine art photographers. The economy tanked and out of fear, I made a 180-degree turn into the corporate business world. It took me 10+ years of cycling through companies to figure out it wasn’t them; it was me.
After leaving corporate and traveling around the world photographing for a year, I found my calling in creative education at CreativeLive. To continue traveling I began leading photo tours to places like Cuba, Morocco, Bhutan and Tanzania. Exploring with my camera is a priority in life, whether traveling across the globe or here on the island where I live.
What do you consider to be the most important aspect or characteristic of your visual language?
Emotional connection. Ten people could be standing in the same spot with the same camera and the same lens, using the same settings, and create ten completely different images. The difference is not only based on what they see, but also what they feel. It’s that emotion communicated visually that I value the most. If I’m photographing a portrait, I want you to feel the connection I’m making with the other human. If it’s a landscape, I want you to feel something and not just say, “Oh that’s pretty.”
What are the biggest challenges of your chosen photography genre? How did they shape your photography style?
Travel photography crosses many genres. The throughline in my work is an endless search for the “decisive moment.” While out traveling, it might be a street photograph, a portrait, a landscape, a wildlife image or an abstract composition. There is an aliveness in the decisive moment and it’s a challenging goal because it takes patience and curiosity. There are certainly happy accidents when I find myself in the right place at the right time. Yet there’s also an art to “working the scene.” When I learned to take the time to explore different angles, different lenses and different compositions instead of just moving on, I usually end up capturing more unique moments than just the first one I noticed.
Can you tell us about your most memorable photo? What made it special?
Most photographers have had the exhilarating experience of pressing the shutter button and knowing in your heart that it’s a fantastic image. You don’t even have to look at the back of your camera. You just know. In fact, often it’s not even just about the image itself. It’s also the moment, the experience that stays with you.
I was leading a photo tour in Bhutan and we stopped our van because there were dozens of horses being herded by a young girl through a field in a remote valley. They were moving slowly, and I walked in amongst them. I crouched down as several horses walked around me. I felt completely safe and completely alive. The horse walking toward me is looking directly into the camera and the girl herding the horses is perfectly placed in the background between other horses. Is it my best photo ever? Probably not. But I live for these one-of-a-kind moments.
What are your goals and aspirations as a photography educator?
I see a lot of people just seeking technical education. I can look at a technically perfect image and feel nothing. So, I want to help people show emotion and energetic connection through their images. This is where mindfulness education meets photography education.
To translate emotion into an image that can be felt by the viewer, it’s important to be in touch with your own emotions. This can be cultivated through present moment awareness, through mindfulness. By being instead of doing. Through the practice of dropping out of your head and into your breath and body, you can become more present. Your resulting images will energetically express the difference.
Can you share with us a little about your creative process? How has it evolved throughout your career?
Photography has been my creative outlet for 35 years. It’s also the way that I move through the world — my worldview. I’m constantly scanning my environment for how I would photograph it, as though looking through a viewfinder. What would be in the image, what would I exclude, what lens would I use? I’m hyper-aware of light and shadows and mood. I create photos in my mind’s eye even when I don’t have a camera in hand.
Photography to me is a pathway to presence. It is a way for me to experience flow and to experience joy. I’ve found that the more I’ve learned about and practiced mindfulness the more connected my images have become. As I evolve, I find myself valuing the experience of photography (the journey) even more than the destination (the photo). A fellow photographer once asked me, would you still photograph if no one was going to see your images? My answer was absolutely yes.
How do Tamron lenses help you achieve your creative vision?
I believe your choice of lenses is more important than your choice of camera body. Most photographers keep their lenses much longer than a camera body. I encourage photographers to get to know how each of your lenses “sees.” A wide-angle lens is going to translate a scene differently than a telephoto lens, and it’s not solely because of the focal length. I’ve spent a lot of time learning how my Tamron lenses “see” so that I know what will work best for my situation. My recent favorite lenses for travel photography are the new Tamron 17-50mm f/4 and the new Tamron 70-180 f2.8 G2. Both are for Sony E-Mount full frame cameras. I can minimize the gear I carry while having a wide flexibility of focal lengths, and beautiful color rendition combined with fast, high-performing optics.
Lastly, what would you advise those who want to explore travel photography? What are some dos and don’ts?
Travel photography for me is documenting a place, people, culture and all that it encompasses — which is a lot. Think about environmental portraits, street photography, architecture, history, traditions, dance, art, music, food, seasons, animals, plants and changing landscapes. Yet each photographer’s eyes and heart will create images of their interactions in the same location differently. Consider travel photography a visual translation of your individual experience in a place, with its people and culture. Most importantly, be respectful of people and the land. Learn the cultural norms of what is appropriate and what’s not.
Don’t feel entitled to any image. If someone doesn’t want you to make their portrait, don’t. Be curious, ask questions and follow your intuition. Introduce yourself to people and make a connection. Do your research as well as engage with locals to explore beyond the iconic and obvious locations. If people speak a different language than you, learn a few words at a minimum and use a translation app to communicate. Bring a sense of curiosity, awe, wonder and gratitude. Plan your day’s activities around the light. Flexibility is key. Being a good travel photographer means being a good human.
Don’t forget to check out Kenna Klosterman’s website to see more of her impressive work.
All photos by Kenna Klosterman. Used with permission.
