Travel Light, Shoot Smart: Roshani Shah’s Guide to Travel Photography

Introduction

Some travellers collect souvenirs; Roshani Shah collects stories. A travel and street photographer, she has an eye for the rhythm of everyday life, the hidden corners of culture, and those fleeting moments that often go unnoticed—a tea vendor pausing in the morning sun, a sudden splash of colour in a crowded lane, or the soft hush of dawn spilling over the streets.

For Roshani, travel is not just about moving from place to place. It is about forming quiet connections with people and traditions, and capturing those connections through her lens. In this candid conversation, she opens her travel bag and shares her creative journey, offering practical tips for anyone eager to explore the world and capture it in all its vivid, intimate detail.

Travel as Lifestyle

Host: What does travel mean to you?

Roshani: For me, travel isn’t just about moving—it’s how I connect with people, places, and traditions. Photography is the way I hold on to those connections and the moments that matter.

Pull-quote: “Photography is the way I hold on to those connections.”

Packing Light: Essentials Only

Host: What does your photography or tech bag look like when you are trying to pack light?

Roshani: I carry one camera body, a wide and a tele lens, an extra battery, a lens pen for cleaning, and a few memory cards. Keeping it simple makes travelling easier and shooting more enjoyable.

Pull-quote: “Simple and efficient is the best way to travel with gear.”

Keeping Gear Safe in Crowds

Host: How do you keep your gear safe while travelling in crowded spaces?

Roshani: I keep my bag in front, zipped tightly, and often cover it with a napkin or a stole if the weather turns. Blending into the crowd is usually the safest way to protect your equipment.

Pull-quote: “Blending into the crowd is the best safety.”

The Unexpected Helper

Host: Any small non-photography item that surprisingly improves your photography?

Roshani: A simple notebook is invaluable. I jot down thoughts about a photograph or series, notes about places, light, or moods. It helps me shoot with purpose and remember details that a photo alone might miss.

Pull-quote: “A simple notebook helps me shoot with intention.”

Posting on the Go

Host: How do you keep posting on the go when you are shooting with a camera?

Roshani: I use Wi-Fi transfer and the Sony Creators App. Quick edits in Mobile Lightroom make it easy to prepare and post content while still exploring.

Pull-quote: “Quick edits on the move make posting easy and fast.”

Gear Advice for Beginners

Host: When someone picks up the hobby for the first time, what is the first gear they should pick up?

Roshani: Start with one good camera and a versatile lens. Don’t worry about accumulating lots of gear. Master one setup first and focus on understanding the art of light and composition.

Pull-quote: “Master one setup and understand light and composition first.”

Slow Down and Observe

Host: If you could give one piece of advice to someone travelling for the first time, especially if they feel pressure to see and capture everything, what would it be?

Roshani: Slow down. Don’t try to photograph everything. Feel the place and its essence, observe carefully, and let moments come to you. That is when you capture something real and unforgettable.

Pull-quote: “Slow down. Let the moments come to you.”

Making Every Moment Count

Roshani’s approach reminds us that the best travel photographs are born from patience and presence. Travelling light, staying curious, and noticing the little details allows each journey to reveal moments that are intimate, authentic, and unforgettable. By slowing down, feeling the rhythm of daily life, and letting experiences unfold naturally, travellers can capture images that tell stories without words. It is in these quiet, fleeting instants—the sun spilling across a cobbled street, the laughter of strangers, the subtle play of light and shadow—that the soul of a place truly comes alive. Travel photography, she shows us, is not about chasing everything, but about seeing deeply and capturing the poetry in every moment.