Traveling Light:
The Spirit of Travel Photography

We often have grand visions for our photography when we travel. We imagine coming home with our strongest work yet - photographs that are more expressive and artistic than anything we've made before. We imagine that extraordinary sights will lead to extraordinary images.

But as it turns out, we can go to the most breathtaking places… and still create ordinary images. Thousands of people have photographed the same temples, mountains, and cafés. Is it possible to say anything new?

If you’ve ever returned from a trip with photographs that lack the energy and emotion of the experience, Traveling Light will help. Through a rich collection of lessons and creative practices, you’ll learn to craft more artistic, expressive images.

Strong travel photography is about so much more than expertly packing the best gear and hitting all the "award winning" vantage points. When we travel well, we tap into the flavor of a place. We pay close attention to the moments most travelers walk right past. We experience awe, communion, transformation - even reverence.

And when our art expresses those things? That’s when it truly shines.

If you have a trip on the horizon (or if you’d love to make sense of images from past trips)…

Traveling Light will be a beautiful companion on your journey.

Taking your vision on the road...

“Traveling Light is the first of Laura’s e-courses in which I have participated. It certainly won’t be the last. Laura presents the right mix of pertinent information, stunning photography and thought-provoking questions to stretch you technically but, more importantly, philosophically as well. This class, while designed for travelers, is relevant to all photographers whether you are planning a trip or not. Truly, it is an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.”

— Lisa Waddell

The Experience:

Traveling Light is a three-week e-course for photographers at all levels. If you want to make insightful, deeply personal images on your travels (day trips or international adventures!), you’re in the right spot. You'll receive new lessons Monday - Friday for three weeks. Unlike a traditional classroom experience, you can do the lessons any time day or night (cozied up in your pajamas or on a red-eye flight). It’s an interactive course, so you’ll receive guidance and support when you share in our private online classroom space.

Lessons are delivered via:

Gorgeous slideshows
Thoughtful readings
Video conversations
Audio talks
Supportive feedback and ongoing creative conversation
Beautiful photography examples and resources galore!

What You Get:

When class begins, you’ll be invited into a warm, welcoming online classroom. Expect to find lively discussions, honest (always kind) feedback, and lots of encouragement and support on themes like:

How to be more of an artist and less of a sightseer when you travel
Beautiful practices to help you tune in to subtler layers of emotion and mood when you photograph
Taking your vision on the road, so your images look like YOU wherever your go
How to brilliantly adapt when light, weather, or circumstances conflict with your expectations (I’ll share my favorite ways to work with subtle and blah light)
Savvy strategies for simplifying your gear (so you can travel like an artist instead of an overburdened amateur)
Telling more nuanced, poetic stories of the places you visit (instead of the same stories every other traveler highlights)
Crafting travel portfolios that feel cohesive, artistic, and engaging (rather than repetitive, random, or guidebook-ish)
Creative working methods I adore (I’ll share all my favorite practices with you)
A JUICY list of creative shooting ideas, for days when you need more inspiration and support
My digital backup strategies and best recommendations for traveling film photographers
A rich conversation about how to identify your strongest images when you get home
And so much more!

“I travel regularly and take a lot of photographs along the way, but it wasn’t until Laura’s course that I finally understood the true power of what I could do with my passion. Laura is an intuitive and challenging guide. Since her curriculum cuts to the philosophical and emotional heart of the craft, the course is ideal for experts, beginners, and everyone in between.”

— Gail Jessen

About your guide...

I’m Laura Valenti - the artist behind Light Atlas Creative. I've worn a lot of different hats in the art world over the past 25 years. I teach interactive e-courses, support emerging photographers in my creative mentoring program, speak to photo groups, lead retreats, and curate exhibitions for galleries and photo festivals around the world. I also jury competitions and serve as a reviewer at portfolio review events, where I help photographers fine-tune their vision and promote their work with more confidence.

Why did I create Traveling Light? I’m a “third-culture kid” who spent my first 15 years in Asia. Since then, I’ve traveled around the world… and my camera has been my constant companion. I LOVE helping other traveling artists deepen their relationship with their craft and make meaningful images they adore.

It would be a joy to work with you!

Add 1-on-1 Mentoring:

If you’d love detailed feedback and personalized advice on your travel photography (and your archive), you can add a dedicated 1-on-1 session to Traveling Light for the full class experience.

I work with new photographers who are just finding their footing - and established photographers who need project support or bold creative resets. I pull from 25+ years as a curator, photographer, gallerist, professional portfolio reviewer, educator, and juror to give you all my best guidance.

Here’s what mentoring looks like:

Step 1: I’ll review your past travel photographs (I really will look at all of them)
Step 2: We’ll schedule a 60-minute mentoring call. Ask me anything - it’s your time to use however you like. I’ll offer stylistic suggestions, encouragement, art world perspective, and fresh ideas to support your practice.

A lovely perk: mentoring is discounted when you bundle it with the e-course.

“OMG - you just turned my whole idea of travel photography on its head. How cool is that!? When I think of all the words I’ve read about travel photography all these years - yikes! None of them hold a candle to your thoughtful and inspiring approach. You truly are a muse! ”

— Patricia Hogan

Traveling Light is for you if...

You have a creative spirit and want to make images that go beyond “standard issue” travel shots
You have a trip coming up in the next year and you’d love to set a beautiful foundation for your art
Your past travel photos are a jumble of confusing vantage points and styles, and you’re unsure how to connect the dots and express a clear personal vision
You’re comfortable photographing your home environment… but your vision starts to fall apart when you’re outside your comfort zone
You’re not interested in simply recording what a place looks like. You want to make images that reflect the energy of the culture and landscape - the spirit of the place
The photographs you made on your last trip missed the mark, and you want to make intuitive, meaningful, deeply artistic images on future trips
You’d love to spend three weeks immersed in creative conversation, getting real feedback on your work

Sound like you? Traveling Light is a lovely next step.

Come join the adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of camera do I need? Is an iPhone okay?

All cameras and phones are welcome! You don’t need anything fancy to take this course. In fact, the simpler, the better! DSLRs, point-and-shoots, smartphones, pinhole cameras made from oatmeal boxes - I have a strict equipment nondiscrimination policy. If it makes you happy to shoot with it, you've got the right gear.

How experienced do I have to be to take this class?

Since this is a conceptual photography course (not a technical class), photographers at every level are welcome. It's never too early (or too late) to deepen your relationship with your travel photography. Experienced photographers and newer photographers regularly take this class.

I’ve taken Traveling Light before. Is this the same class?

If you took Traveling Light before 2026, it was a one-week class with 10 lessons (and it was likely self-study). This updated version is a three-week course with 23 lessons (and just a couple carryovers). Plus, it’s interactive - so you’ll get feedback and support throughout. You’ll have to sign up again to receive all the new lessons and be a part of the live class cohort.

Do I need to be online at specific times?

Because photographers from all different time zones participate in Traveling Light, there are no live, scheduled lessons to put on your calendar (no waking up early for awkwardly scheduled webinars!). All the lessons will be there for you whenever it works for your schedule, and you can post whenever you like.

Is this for photographers who shoot color? Or B&W?

Either! All colors and processes are heartily welcomed. The course is open to both digital and analog photographers, too!

How long do I get to keep Traveling Light?

You'll get access to the class for three full years - plenty of time to complete the course and revisit the lessons whenever you need a boost of inspiration.

I’ll be traveling during the class (and away from my computer), can I still participate?

You sure can! Many students travel while taking the class. The online classroom is mobile friendly, so you can easily navigate it with a phone or tablet if you’re on the go. All you need is an internet connection (if you can stream videos, you're in great shape).

What's your refund policy?

Traveling Light is a highly-rated course that many students take more than once. If you need to leave class for any reason, you can transfer your prorated registration to 1-on-1 mentoring or a different e-course of your choosing. Registration isn't refundable.

I have another question…

No problem! Pop me an email and I’ll get right back to you.

“A large and heartfelt thank you for this course. I loved it. It has been a very rich and thought-provoking experience, affirming some things, and encouraging deeper exploration with others. ”

— Ellen Edson

“Laura Valenti was the impetus for me to restart my photography. More importantly, she is the compassionate encouragement to keep me going.”

— Mark Hashizume

“I want to say THANK YOU again for another wonderful course! It’s full of inspirations. The lessons were filled with insightful ideas that inspired me to do more deeper thinking and reflecting. It opened up my mind. The course became the starting point for wonderful journeys of my own. I didn’t feel I was learning from an external source, didn’t feel I was having stuff piled on me. The process felt like me digging into my own thoughts, history, and ideas. Your suggestions of focusing on personal vision, personal growth, slowing down, and taking the time to develop a portfolio were all so great for me.”

— Ning Fan

“For many years I followed a very technical, rule-based method with my photography. Over the past decade I have had many life changes and at times I was ready to hang up my practice for good. Then I found Laura and her classes which has truly helped me begin digging out of a prolonged slump. ”

— Beth Yeaw

“I can’t even put into words how amazing your course material is, and even better is how you teach and pour into your students.”

— Lissa Watson

“I love you and I love your courses! They have brought me back to life!”

— Rose Booth

“What a wonderful class! It has been so inspiring and thought-provoking for me. I think the course is just as valuable for everyday photography as it is for travel. It’s awesome!”

— Jill B.

Traveling Light:The Spirit of Travel Photography