Before I arrived in Peru, my Spanish was limited to comprehension and basic sentence formation. After three months of speaking Spanish a few hours per day, I am now conversationally fluent. Fluency is certainly useful, but I am writing this article to emphasize how learning even basic phrases in the language of a place you are visiting can vastly improve your photo opportunities.

I have been fortunate to travel to a number of different countries throughout my life and when I was a teenager I took a trip to Russia. Being a photographer, I naturally brought my camera along and was excited to create a portfolio of the Smolensk Lakelands National Park and its inhabitants. I’ll never forget the first hours after my arrival when I sat in a small room listening to the park guards jabber and not understanding a word. When there wasn’t a translator around, I was constantly frustrated by my inability to communicate. For a portrait, I wanted a woman to look at me when she kept her eyes cast down; my attempt at sign language failed miserably. I also wanted to find a special species of carnivorous plant that grows in the swamp and had no idea how to ask.

Learning a few basic phrases in a language can open up many opportunities for you and can also improve your images, especially those of people. In the Andes in Peru, the women are incredibly shy. I’ve seen a woman scream at a couple trying to take her photograph. One of the first useful phrases you should learn is, “Excuse me, may I take your picture?” Clearly this does not work for candid photos, but for portraits it is always polite to ask. I find that people often acquiesce when you ask for permission. When traveling, we often forget that the people we are photographing are just going about their daily lives, not expecting to be on camera. I know I wouldn’t like being accosted with a camera while grocery shopping or taking out the trash behind my house.

I also make a list of words for all of the things I am hoping to photograph and a list of adjectives like old, beautiful, or healthy. If you bring a map of the area along it is easy to ask, “Where can I find old churches?” while pointing at the map. If you tell people what you are interested in, they are often full of suggestions about places for you to visit. 

Here is a list of other common phrases that are helpful when traveling as a photographer:

Excuse me.
Thank you.
That’s okay.
I’m sorry.
Turn to the left.
Turn to the right.
Look at me.

I would like to . . .
I am looking for . . .
Do you want to the see the picture?
Are there any holidays or parties this week?

To learn a language, I highly recommend the Rosetta Stone programs or audio lessons (you can buy on iTUNES). I also carry a pocket dictionary with me when I am traveling.

If you have the time to build up your vocabulary, you will find that most people are more than willing to tell you all about their city and their country. I’ve been led to a beautiful lagoon by the owner of a restaurant and directed to one of the prettiest churches I have ever seen after a conversation with a taxi driver. Languages open doors and by talking to the locals you will find images you would never find with a guidebook.