Elia Locardi is not your typical photographer. He doesn’t have a home base, a studio, or a fixed schedule. He is a digital nomad, a location-independent professional who travels the world with his wife Naomi, capturing stunning images of landscapes, cityscapes, and cultures along the way.
He is also an educator, a speaker, and an entrepreneur who shares his passion and expertise with aspiring photographers through his website, blog, tutorials, and workshops. He has visited more than 70 countries, flown more than two million miles, and collaborated with major brands, agencies, and organizations. He has also been featured by National Geographic, Professional Photographer Magazine, Adobe, Fujifilm, and Fstoppers, among others.
How did he achieve this remarkable lifestyle and career? What are the challenges and rewards of being a full-time world travel photographer? In this blog post, we will explore the life and work of Elia Locardi, and learn some tips and insights from his journey. And his contributions to the world through his ‘Photographing The World‘ educational series.
How Elia Locardi Became a World Travel Photographer?
From Media Arts to Travel Photography
Elia Locardi was born in 1980 in Florida, USA. He graduated from the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale in 2002 with a degree in media art and animation. He worked in the media arts and animation industry for a decade, creating graphics and animations for video games, commercials, and films. He also developed an interest in photography as a hobby, and started to travel with his wife Naomi to different destinations around the world.
In 2009, he decided to pursue photography as a full-time career, and launched his website Blame The Monkey (https://elialocardi.com), where he shared his travel stories and photos. He also started to teach photography workshops and tutorials online and in person. He soon realized that he wanted to travel more and more, and that he didn’t need to be tied to one place to do his work. He sold his house and most of his belongings in 2012, and became a digital nomad.
The Journey of Becoming Location Independent
In March 2012, Locardi and his wife sold nearly all of their belongings and embarked on a journey that would forever change their lives. They decided to become “location independent,” living out of their suitcases, and traveling continuously. This decision not only allowed Locardi to further his career as a travel photographer but also revolutionized his perspective on life.
Being location independent means that Locardi has been able to explore and photograph some of the most beautiful and iconic locations in the world. From the vibrant cityscape of Tokyo to the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, his journey has taken him to over 70 countries and all seven continents.
Since then, he has been living out of his suitcase, traveling from one country to another, exploring new places, meeting new people, and creating amazing images. He has also expanded his portfolio to include aerial photography and videography, using drones to capture stunning perspectives of the world.
Moments in Time: A Travel Show
In 2019, Elia Locardi launched his own travel show called Moments in Time (https://momentsintime.tv/), where he showcases some of the most beautiful locations in the world through his photography and videography. The show also features interviews with local experts and artists who share their insights and stories about their culture and craft.
The first season of Moments in Time covers seven countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy, and Spain. Each episode highlights the unique attractions, history, architecture, cuisine, and art of each destination. Elia also shares his tips and techniques on how to capture the best shots in different situations and conditions.
The second season of Moments in Time was filmed at the end of 2019 in the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of the show has been put on hold until it is safe to resume traveling.
Elia's Global Impact
Throughout his 20-year career, Elia Locardi has proven himself to be a force in the global photography industry. His distinct style, which blends the beauty of nature with the dynamism of cityscapes, has garnered attention worldwide and has been featured in prestigious publications such as National Geographic, Elle, and Travel + Leisure. His work doesn't stop at creating breathtaking images; it extends into the walls of fine art galleries and venues around the world that proudly display his masterpieces.
His passion for photography has led him across the globe, as he has worked in over 70 countries, collaborating with various companies, countries, and tourism organizations. This extensive travel has not only broadened his perspective but also provided unique opportunities to learn and grow as a professional. He has shared this knowledge through over 200 keynote speeches and lectures at some of the industry's most respected venues, including Adobe Max, B&H Optic, and the National Geographic Aveiro Fest, to name just a few.
In addition to his photographic endeavors, Locardi has also extended his talents to the realm of broadcast media. Despite his busy schedule, he has found the time to develop and host several episodic travel shows, including “Moments in Time” and “Kentucky in Focus.” These programs allow him to share his love for travel and photography with a larger audience, providing viewers with a unique perspective of the world through his lens.
In 2022, Locardi took another step in his illustrious career by co-founding Radiant Imaging Labs and becoming its CEO. He was instrumental in developing Radiant Photo, a revolutionary photo editing application that uses Adaptive AI to optimize tone and color in photos. This innovative software is the first of its kind to bring out the best in every photograph without over-processing the image, further cementing Locardi's position as a visionary in the field of photography.
The Birth of “Photographing The World”
As Locardi's photography skills developed, so did his enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with others. This led to the creation of his ‘Photographing The World' series in collaboration with Fstoppers, an online community for creative professionals.
‘Photographing The World' is a comprehensive collection of educational photography courses designed to guide aspiring photographers through every step of the photography process. From scouting locations to the final touches in post-processing, Locardi reveals his techniques and methodologies to create stunning photographs.
Photographing The World 1
The first course in the series focuses on landscape photography and post-processing. It takes students on location to Iceland and New Zealand, where Locardi demonstrates his end-to-end process for capturing and editing captivating landscape images. Topics covered include composition, long exposure techniques, blending multiple exposures, and advanced Lightroom and Photoshop techniques.
Photographing The World 2
In the second installment, Locardi delves into both cityscape and advanced astrophotography. Shot in iconic locations like Singapore and Hong Kong, this course builds on the skills learned in PTW1 and introduces new techniques for capturing cityscapes during the day and at night, as well as advanced techniques for shooting stars and the Milky Way.
Photographing The World 3
The third course in the series is a deep dive into advanced post-processing techniques, while still offering on-location lessons in Italy, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. This course covers topics like advanced bracketing, blending complex scenes, color theory, and fine art processing techniques.
Photographing The World 4
“Photographing the World 4: Advanced Landscapes” marks the fourth chapter of the renowned series in which Elia Locardi delves into the captivating terrains of the western United States' deserts and the majestic mountains of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. This comprehensive 14.5-hour guide encompasses a wide array of topics, including advanced exposure blending, focus stacking, panoramas, HDR, astro-photography, time-lapses, and more.
Photographing The World 5: Japan
The fifth and most recent segment of the series, “Photographing the World: Japan”, witnesses Elia as he immerses himself in the breathtaking landscapes and urban vistas of Japan. This extensive 18-hour guide teaches techniques such as composition, light painting, long exposure filters, night photography, light trails, star trails, fireworks, and beyond. In addition, Elia shares his understanding of Japan's rich culture, history, and traditions.
Both of these educational modules are available for purchase at the Fstoppers Store, priced at $299.99 each. There's an exclusive limited-time offer too – purchase “Photographing the World: Japan” and receive a second “Photographing the World” tutorial at no additional cost. This is an extraordinary opportunity you wouldn't want to pass up if you're looking to enhance your skills under the guidance of one of the world's top travel photographers.
Tips for Aspiring Travel Photographers
Elia Locardi is not only a talented photographer but also a generous teacher. He has partnered with Fstoppers.com to create a series of premium video tutorials called Photographing The World (https://fstoppers.com/photographing-the-world-landscape-photography-and-post-processing), where he teaches every aspect of his workflow from scouting to shooting to editing. (https://elialocardi.com/premium-photography-and-post-processing-video-tutorials/), covering topics such as landscape photography, cityscape photography, astrophotography, and post-processing.
Here are some of his tips for aspiring travel photographers:
- Travel light: Elia recommends traveling with only one carry-on bag that contains your essential gear and personal items. This way, you can avoid checking in your luggage at airports, losing your belongings, or paying extra fees. You can also move faster and easier when you are on location.
- Chase the light: Elia says that light is the most important element in photography, and that you should always try to find the best light for your subject. He suggests waking up early or staying up late to catch the golden hour or the blue hour, when the sun is low on the horizon and creates soft, warm, and colorful light. He also advises using apps or websites that show you the sunrise, sunset, and moon phases for any location.
- Be flexible: Elia emphasizes that travel photography is not always predictable or easy, and that you should be prepared to adapt to different situations and challenges. He advises being flexible with your plans, your expectations, and your attitude. He says that sometimes you may encounter bad weather, crowds, or other obstacles that prevent you from getting the shot you want, but that you should not give up or get frustrated. Instead, you should look for alternative angles, perspectives, or compositions that may reveal something new or unexpected.
- Tell a story: Elia believes that travel photography is not just about taking beautiful pictures, but also about telling stories that connect with your audience. He suggests looking for elements that convey the mood, the culture, the history, or the personality of a place. He also encourages interacting with the locals and learning from them about their traditions, customs, and beliefs. He says that by doing so, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the place you are visiting, and also capture more authentic and meaningful images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naomi?
Naomi Locardi is the wife of Elia Locardi.
What kind of camera does Elia use?
The camera that he currently use is FUJIFILM GFX100S.
How can I become a travel photographer like Elia Locardi?
You can follow Elia's journey and learn from it. Checkout this blog on Fstoppers to know how Elia became a location independent photographer. How I Became a Location Independent Travel Photographer.
Biography Table
| Real name: | Elia Locardi |
| Wife Name: | Naomi Locardi |
| Daughters Name: | Nalia |
| Email id: | elia@elialocardi.com |
| Phone No: | NA |
| Address: | Location Independent |
| Birthplace: | Florida, USA |
| Education: | Photography from The Art Institutes |
| Date of Birth: | 13 July 1980 |
| Age: | 43 years |
| Net Worth: | $82 Million (Source) |
| Languages Known: | English, |
| Profession: | YouTuber, Photographer, Educator |
| Google Plus: | NA |
| Instagram: | @elialocardi |
| Main YouTube Channels: | @EliaLocardi |
Summary:
In conclusion, Elia Locardi, a celebrated global sightseer and photographer, turned his hobby into a livelihood. His journey covers over 70 countries on earth, freezing the beauty of landscapes, cityscapes, and cultures in his shots. In his travel series, Moments in Time, he unearths the planet's most breathtaking spots. He's also a mentor for budding photographers, imparting his wisdom via his website, blog, tutorials, and workshops.
Elia's life, a fusion of photography and travel, speaks to every dreamer. His life story echoes the possibility of living out one's dreams, leading a gratifying life while leaving a positive imprint on the world through one's creativity.
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