How to Find High-Quality Travel Images for Proposals & Marketing
In the travel industry, high-quality imagery can make the sale. Striking, professional photos not only set the tone for your brand but also help clients visualize their dream trip. To stand out, high quality imagery is a must. But sourcing, and curating, the right travel photography can be a challenge.
Create your own ‘Style Guide’
Starting with a style guide will help ensure consistency in your travel photography. By setting clear guidelines on tone, color palettes, composition, and image selection, you create a cohesive visual identity that reinforces your brand.
When developing your style guide, include examples of hero images, recommended color tones, preferred angles and compositions, and a list of image sources that align with your brand. Keep it updated as your business evolves.
Different types of photos for different things
Not all photographs have the same purpose, and different platforms or marketing materials require different types of imagery.
Social Media – Authenticity is key. Personal photographs work well, as they showcase genuine experiences and storytelling. If you’re not a professional photographer, use online resources to learn how to take better travel photos, even with a mobile phone.
Proposals & Branded Materials – Keep large images true to your brand principles (or style guide 🌈). Hero images should always match the tones, textures, and style you’ve defined. You can still incorporate informal, amateur photography, but use it differently—such as in smaller grid layouts to provide an overall sense of a destination rather than as a main feature image.
Brochures & Print Materials – Use high-resolution images with a minimum of 300 dpi to ensure they print crisply.
Understanding Image Formats and Best Uses
Different image formats serve different purposes. Here’s what you need to know:
JPEG (JPG) – Best for web and digital proposals due to small file size and good quality.
PNG – Supports transparency, useful for logos and overlays.
TIFF – High-quality format, ideal for print materials but large in size.
WEBP – Modern format that provides high quality with smaller file sizes, great for websites.
Optimal Image Size for Digital Proposals
To ensure crisp, clear images in Safari Portal digital proposals, use:
Minimum width: 1920 pixels (ideal for full-screen display without pixelation)
Resolution: 72 dpi (sufficient for web and digital use)
File size: Under 5MB (for faster load times without sacrificing quality)
Safari Portal proposals feature a split screen design with large images on the left designed to get people excited to travel. On the right is a combination of text, sections, video, embedded elements, slideshows, and other smaller image collages. For these smaller images placed on the right side of a page, you can use slightly lower resolution images. However, since uploaded images are automatically saved to your Safari Portal Media Library for reuse, it’s always best to upload high-quality versions to maximize future usability.
Where to Source High-Quality Travel Photography
License-Free Image Resources
If you don’t have your own photos and can’t find what you need in the off-the-shelf Safari Portal Media Library, you can also explore free image sources:
Unsplash (unsplash.com) – Is our favourite 🌸 It’s also a great place to connect with independent travel photographers if you want to find an individual to work with.
Pexels (pexels.com)
Pixabay (pixabay.com)
These sources have free and licensed images, so be sure to check on the website before assuming they are available license free.
Licensed Travel Photography Resources
For exclusive, high-end travel photography, consider paid stock photo services:
Shutterstock (shutterstock.com)
Adobe Stock (stock.adobe.com)
Getty Images (gettyimages.com)
Securing Property-Specific Imagery
When showcasing hotels, lodges, and resorts, always go to the property’s official website first. Many hotels provide high-resolution imagery in their media sections.
If the available images are low quality, contact the property directly. Most luxury accommodations have professional photo libraries they can share upon request. Taking the extra step to request high-resolution imagery will elevate your brand’s presentation.
Your Own Archives
If you have high-quality personal photos of destinations, using them in your proposals can hyper-personalize your content and highlight your expertise. This is a great way to showcase firsthand experience and create a unique brand identity.
Google Image Search
As a last resort, you can perform a Google Image Search, filtering by large image size to ensure high quality. Ideally, for any primary images on a page, aim for a minimum width of 2,000 pixels. If you do this, be sure to check that you can legally use the image.
Being Proactive About Image Sourcing
Rather than scrambling for images at the last minute, set aside time during quieter periods to source and organize your photography assets. A well-maintained image library will streamline your workflow and enhance every proposal you create.
Leveraging Travel Photography for Proposals
You’ve done the work, you’ve formulated a style guide and curated all these beautiful images. Now what do you do with them? How can you quickly and easily incorporate them into your client materials?
✨Safari Portal ✨ allows you to curate custom content pages featuring your selected travel imagery. Or easily incorporate them into your individual Lookbooks, Itineraries, or Guest Portals. There is already a pre existing library of beautiful imagery that you can use. And of course you can add your own images that you’ve found. Any images you add are automatically saved to your Media Library for future use. Even if an image is initially uploaded for a small placement, you may later want to use it as a primary image—so always prioritize high-quality imagery, and remember your style guide 🌈.
Quality imagery is one of the most powerful tools for attracting and converting clients. By sourcing high-resolution, professional photos, maintaining a consistent visual identity, and utilizing digital tools effectively, you can elevate your brand and drive more bookings. Make the effort to curate exceptional visuals, and you’ll reap the rewards.