Seven Secrets for Stunning Kayak Photos
September 23, 2021
Want to learn how to take great kayak photos? Taking photos while kayaking can be difficult, especially with the added challenge of keeping your camera dry and boat upright. From paddling technique to composing the perfect paddling photos, here is a complete guide on how to take great photos from a kayak:
How to Take Great Kayak Photos:
Taking beautiful photos from a kayak comes down to a lot more than just snapping a photo. You have to keep your photography equipment dry, make sure you are safe in your boat, navigate to the spot you want to be, and then hold that position, and think about composition with the added element of the water. That’s a lot!
The result of all of these moving parts is beautiful photos of seascapes and inland lakes. Here’s what you need to know to start taking great kayaking photos:
1) Practice Safe Paddling
You’re never going to get that great shot if you’re in an unsafe scenario or worried about your kayaking skills. Take pictures in places you’re comfortable, and be sure to have all of the necessary safety equipment with you.
Paddling safety depends on the body of water, season, and scenario. Kayaking on the ocean is going to require a different set of skills and safety than paddling on your local lake. I’m an ACA certified Lake Superior sea kayaking guide, so most of my safety advice focuses on cold water, wind, and high waves rather than currents or tides.
Read about kayaking safety on Lake Superior, or learn how to layer and how to dress for cold water paddling.
This photo is from Manitou Falls, the only wanter fall in Minnesota to tumble directly into Lake Superior. It’s a 12 mile paddle round trip to reach this spot, but all of the hard work payed off!
2) Keep equipment dry
Probably the question I answer most often is “how do you keep your camera dry?”. Because I use a sea kayak, I am able to store my DSLR camera in my day hatch, the watertight compartment behind my seat. I usually pad my camera with a sweater/puffy jacket to absorb any residual splash, and only pull out my DSLR if it is calm out and I am confident it won’t get wet.
I also have an Aquapac Waterproof case. If I’m out on an overnight trip, I store my camera in this bag. About 80% of my kayaking photos are actually shot on an iPhone 6 then edited in Adobe Lightroom. I keep my iPhone in a small Aquapac case in my PFD pocket.
A DSLR photo from a calm and sunny morning at the Sand Island sea caves.
If I’m being completely honest, most of the time my phone and camera are not completely protected from the water. That being said, I’ve spent a lot of time practicing taking photos while paddling, and am not particularly worried about accidentally dropping a phone or camera in the water. (It’s probably a matter of time before I loose my phone to water damage).
Still, I recommend looking into a variety of dry bags, securing your camera to your boat or life vest with a rope or tether, or investing in a waterproof camera.
Read about my full camera setup here (I use three!). Read about editing photos here.
Composition Techniques for Great Kayak Photos:
One of the coolest things about photographing from a kayak is there is so much to work with composition wise. From your own boat, to your fellow paddlers, the rocks and scenery around you, to the water itself, plant life, and more. Taking photos while kayaking is not only fun, but a great way to practice your creativity!
3) Use a Kayaker for Scale
Are you paddling somewhere with impressive cliffs? What about massive trees, or next to a large boat? If you’re out kayaking with a friend, an easy way to show the scale of your photo is to have your friend paddle near the large cliff.
Using a fellow paddler for scale is an easy way to show the viewer how impressive a landscape is, and it makes it easier to imagine yourself in the scene.
4) Master the “Bow Shot”
You know what can help make a beautiful photo? Your own boat! Photographing the bow of your boat or a “bow shot” helps draw a viewer into an image. The bow of your boat can act as natural leading lines, making for that beautiful kayaking photo!
Just remember to clean off your lens when kayaking! In the photo below, I forgot to wipe of the splash at the base of my lens. Can you spot the blur?
A photo of the front of your boat is a great way to help viewers imagine themselves in your shoes boat. After all, they’re seeing exactly what you’re seeing.
Bow shots are also a great way to make your work recognizable; this has worked really well for me. My kayaking photos are recognizable as mine because most of them (but not all) feature the front of my yellow boat. This is great for building a set of similar photos, or for building your own brand on a social media platform like Instagram.
While not all of my photos are bow shots, many of them are. Having recognizable photos or a recognizable style works in your favor by making you and your work more memorable. People don’t tend to follow someone at their first exposure to their work. Through repeated exposure and built up name recognition, you build yourself a brand that eventually translates to loyal followers, supporters, and clients.
You can read about social media strategy for writers, photographers, and content creators here.
5) Capture what’s under the water
One of the easiest ways to add depth and spice up a seascape is to show what is under the water as well as above. It’s easy to do this with an iPhone! If the water is clear and shallow, raise your phone above eye level and angle it slightly down towards the water. This will cut some of the glare from the sky, and give you a peak into the world below the surface.
Being able to see under the water is one of the easiest ways to make a kayaking photo beautiful. If you want to dabble in underwater photography or videography from a kayak, I recommend a GoPro Hero 9. The GoPro Hero is affordable, and takes high quality photo and video for the price. It’s also waterproof and durable, and really fun to use.
Want free photography tips, social media hacks, trail guides, and more delivered right to your inbox? Follow Hello Stranger on Substack to stay in the loop.
6) Include a Natural Path
A great way to make a kayaking photo interesting is to include a natural path through your image. By including the bow of a boat in the foreground, you’ve established a point of forward motion. From here, make it clear where your boat is going next. Are you headed around the island? Between two large rocks? Through the cave, or along the cliff?
A natural path allows the viewer to imagine motion and helps your photo tell a story.
7) Become a really really good paddler
Honestly, many of the photos I’ve created while kayaking were possible because I’m a good paddler and comfortable in my boat. I’m able to steer my boat by edging (leaning) as well as by paddling, which can get me in an ideal position more quickly. I’m comfortable paddling in waves or high winds to get to unique places. Meanwhile, summers as a sea kayaking guide gave me a lot of time on the water, and the opportunity to take on multi-day overnight trips and expeditions.
While becoming a sea kayaking guide isn’t a practical choice for everyone, taking a few kayaking courses is a great way to get started taking great kayaking photos. Look into ACA courses and certifications near you to learn basic maneuvering skills and get your confidence up. Join your local paddling club or group on Facebook to make connections in the paddling community, and get lots of practice on the water. Many courses will loan you gear for the course, and many people in paddling clubs might have extra gear for you to practice with while you’re getting started.
Increasing your confidence in and on the water will inevitably lead to better kayaking photos.
If you’re interested in kayaking for a summer in the Midwest, here are some outfitters who are generally hiring sea kayaking guides:
- Lost Creek Adventures, Apostle Islands
- Pictured Rocks Kayaking, Pictured Rocks*
- Keweenaw Adventure Company, Copper Harbor/ Isle Royale
- Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, Grand Marais & the North Shore
Most outfitters train staff and provide gear for staff, so no experience is necessary! This is not an exhaustive list of outfitters, rather a list of outfitters I’ve had positive experiences with and would recommend as employers. Guiding for a summer is a great job for college students, full time travelers, or anyone looking for a fun summer job outside and a break from the office!
*Note: this is NOT Paddling Michigan/ Uncle Ducky’s. I do not recommend working for them.
