If you are a fan of photography, you won’t want to miss this post and Mixtape Travels podcast interview with world-renowned photographer, Robert Holmes. I had the honor of shooting with Bob for a day in San Francisco last year, followed by attending the Travel Writer’s & Photography conference in Corte Madera, CA, which he has co-led with travel writer Don George for the past 32 years.
Robert Holmes, one of the most sought-after photographers in the world, doesn’t shoot to impress. He shoots to connect. And that shows up not only in his work but in the way he talks about travel—equal parts thoughtful, funny, opinionated, and deeply experienced.
Bob has been photographing the world since the late ‘70s, working for top travel publications like National Geographic and Departures. He’s shot everywhere - from Bhutan to Napa - and even spent two unforgettable weeks staying with Ansel Adams (Yes, that Ansel Adams). His work has earned him armloads of awards and a loyal following, but what I appreciate most about Bob is how grounded and honest he is—about photography, about travel, and about the messy, unpredictable beauty of both.
Our Mixtape Travels podcast conversation covered a lot: what makes a great travel photo, how to respectfully photograph people, what social media is doing to once-hidden corners of the world, and why some of the best images often come from showing up and trusting your instincts.
So if you’re someone who loves travel, photography, or some great stories from the road, this one’s for you.
🎧 Click on the above link to listen to the interview or listen on “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
A few gems from our conversation:
On what makes a great travel photo
“It’s a photograph that captures a sense of place. One that allows you to smell the street food, feel the humidity, and hear the clatter of life beyond the frame.”
He says the image must go beyond pretty—it has to be true. “It doesn’t have to be beautiful,” Bob told me. “It has to be real.” That reality, he admits, doesn’t always sit well with advertisers.
On being lucky (and bold)
Back in the day, Bob called Ansel Adams, whom he had met briefly before, when he was in California. Adams not only invited him to dinner in Monterey—he invited him to stay. Bob ended up living there for two weeks, sipping martinis with Ansel and a rotating cast of creatives: gallery owners, orchestra conductors, artists, photographers.
“People always say I’m lucky. But you have to be open to the moment—and be willing to take the risk.”
On respectful photography—especially of people
This is one of the biggest lessons I took from our conversation. In places like Morocco or Myanmar, Bob has seen how damaging it can be when photographers treat people like props.
“Establish a relationship. Smile. Buy something. Talk. If they say no, thank them and walk away.”
He also noted how a giant lens can be intimidating—so sometimes, yes, even Bob Holmes shoots on an iPhone. “The best gear is the one that doesn’t get in the way.”
On editing
You may love the photo because it was hard to get. But the viewer doesn’t know that. To Bob, the best editing advice is this:
“Give it time. Live with your photos. Revisit them. The emotional attachment fades, and you can see the image for what it really is.”
The Fruit Bowl Problem
Bob has spent decades shooting for glossy magazines and luxe travel brands—but he’s not a fan of selling a fantasy.
“I’ve always been skeptical about showing bowls of fruit and bunches of flowers in a hotel room. Because that’s not what the visitor’s going to get—unless they’ve sprung for the presidential suite.”
He told me about a striking photo he shot for Departures: a couple on Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beach, with what looked like a buried body in the sand (it was actually a plaster religious idol). The editor insisted on putting it on the cover because it was true. The publisher? Not thrilled.
“It didn’t show Mumbai in a flattering light, but it was real. That’s what I loved shooting.”
Bob’s advice: Don't oversell. Don’t fake it. A good photo—and a good story—will stand on its own if it’s honest.
The Instagram Effect
Bob doesn’t hold back when it comes to the impact of social media on travel.
“Instagram is responsible for destroying more places than anything.”
He’s not anti-Instagram—he’s on it too—but he’s deeply frustrated by how it’s turned travel into a performance. Everyone’s chasing the same photo. The same selfie. The same viewpoint.
“It’s sad to see when people treat travel like a checklist. A selfie moment. Instead of truly experiencing a place—getting to know the people, supporting the local economy, being present.”
He described watching tourists in Myanmar approach Kayan women—famous for their brass neck rings—snapping photos without eye contact or conversation.
“They treat them like animals in a zoo. It’s appalling. No attempt at a relationship. No humanity. Just a prop for their Instagram.”
For Bob, a better photo often starts with a better conversation.
On Overtourism, Travel Gems, and Pico Iyer
This led to a bigger conversation about overtourism—and the guilt that sometimes comes with sharing a place you love.
Bob brought up his longtime friend and travel writer Pico Iyer, who wrote a New York Times piece about the ethical dilemma travel writers face: If your story sends people to a quiet, unspoiled destination, are you helping that place—or hurting it?
“Pico’s point was that it’s not about handing people a checklist. It’s about encouraging them to discover their own secrets. Not just pointing them to the obvious.”
And Bob agreed.
“You mention a little bistro in Paris, suddenly two million people know about it—and a million are going to try to visit. That can destroy it.”
On what travel photography has taught him most
“My most meaningful photos? Family. Friends. It’s always about the people.”
Even after all the breathtaking shots of the Taj Mahal, it was the time a woman in rural Vietnam invited him up for dinner—because he’d taken the time to connect with her on a previous trip—that stuck with him. They’re still in touch via Facebook.
A few other quick takeaways:
Places that inspire: Cuba, India, Vietnam
Places that were tough: Sao Paulo (“so uniform”), Morocco (“hostile toward photographers”)
Least favorite part of his job? Planning. (“I always think I’ll screw it up. And I have.”)
Favorite gear: His Leica Q series (“looks like a point-and-shoot, but it’s not threatening”)
Pro tip: Always back up your photos—in three places.
A book worth displaying
Bob’s latest book Passages is a visual memoir full of both his award-winning images and the personal stories behind them. He created it in part for his daughters, to share the life and work he’s often found hard to talk about. It’s thoughtful, honest, and stunning. You won’t find it on Amazon, but you can purchase it directly here. I proudly display my copy of Passages in my dining room and flip through it frequently.
And finally, if you’re a writer or photographer who wants to connect with others in the travel space, don’t miss the Travel Writer’s and Photographers Conference from August 14-17, 2025 in Corte Madera, CA. Bob co-leads it each year with Don George, and it’s a rare kind of creative love fest. Trust me—you’ll walk away inspired.
Meet Robert Holmes
Bob's remarkable career started in his native Britain in 1975 when he covered the successful British Everest Expedition for Paris Match and the London Daily Mail. The following year he visited California for the first time at the invitation of Ansel Adams and in 1979 he moved to Marin County, California where he still lives.
Bob has traveled extensively in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America for the world's top travel magazines. His assignments have included searching for snow leopards in the remote valleys of western Nepal for National Geographic Magazine, journeying into the rain forests of Borneo with Penan tribesmen for Islands magazine, and crossing the Great Indian Desert on a camel for Departures. Willie Landels, former editor of both Departures and Harpers and Queen, called Holmes" one of the most intelligent photographers I have worked with, who also has a wonderful sense of color and design."
Bob has illustrated over 50 books, written six, and has regularly been one of the elite photojournalists invited to participate in the acclaimed "Day in the Life" series of books. He has won many awards, and the Society of American Travel Writers named him Travel Photographer of the Year in 1990,1992, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2017. He has been elected a Fellow of both the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. He has won the International Wine Photographer of the Year award from Errazuriz and the International Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year award. Most recently, he was given the Silver Award for photography books by IPPY for his memoir, Passages.
Bob is also a gifted and enthusiastic teacher who truly enjoys sharing his experiences and expertise. Bob has led workshops and tours for many organizations, including Geographic Expeditions, Wilderness Travel, the California Academy of Sciences, and UC Berkeley.
Subscribe to Bob’s Substack here:
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With much gratitude,
