Howdy, travel photographers!

Welcome to Global Shutter—a weekly dive into the latest news, trends, and quirky stories from the world of travel photography.

Pack your bags, charge those batteries, and get ready to explore the world through your lens. Safe travels and happy shooting!

Focus of the Day

• These are the nine photography trends shaping visual storytelling in 2025

• Heathrow fire and outage disrupt flights, impacting thousands of travelers

• A photographer’s quest for ultra-long hair in mountains of Ecuador

• Americans will need a travel authorization to visit Europe in 2026

Read time: 5 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY TRENDS

Nine Photography Trends Shaping Visual Storytelling in 2025 📸 read the full article here

Article published: March 24, 2025

Snapshot: 2025 is bringing a fresh wave of photography trends reshaping design, with authenticity and texture taking center stage. From raw, unpolished moments to tactile imagery, Stills' Photography in Design Trend Report is helping designers elevate their work in a world flooded with visuals. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve and understand the trends shaping visual communication, this report is a must-read.

Key Takeaways:

• 📸 Candid Is King: Authentic, unfiltered moments are in demand, particularly in lifestyle and fashion photography.

• 🌑 Dark & Dramatic: Bold contrasts and deep shadows are making visuals pop, with luxury fashion inspiring moody aesthetics.

• 💡 Flash On: High-key flash photography is giving images a dynamic, energetic feel—perfect for a more "real" digital presence.

• 🖼 Collage Chaos: Layering elements and embracing imperfections are trending, offering an organic, human touch to crowded visuals.

Want to dive deeper? Download the full Stills’ 2025 Photography in Design Trend Report here!

BREAKING NEWS

Heathrow Fire & Outage Disrupts Flights 🚒 read the full article here

Article published: March 21, 2025

Snapshot: A fire at Heathrow Airport’s electrical substation has led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting nearly 300,000 travelers. The chaos is expected to last through the weekend, leaving many travelers scrambling to reschedule their plans. If you’re heading to London or connecting through, here’s everything you need to know to navigate the disruption and make the best of a challenging situation.

Key Takeaways:

• 🔥 Fire Fiasco: A fire at Heathrow's electrical substation caused a massive power outage, leading to widespread flight cancellations.

• ✈️ Flights Grounded: Over 1,300 flights were affected, with New York and Dubai seeing the highest number of cancellations.

• 🛑 Long Recovery: The ripple effect of these cancellations is expected to disrupt travel into next week, especially for connecting flights.

• 💳 Airlines Offering Help: Major airlines like Delta, United, and American are waiving change fees—so don’t wait to reschedule!

Need to catch up on the latest? Here’s everything you need to know about Heathrow’s ongoing travel disruptions.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHY

A Photographer’s Quest For Ultra-Long Hair 🇪🇨 read the full article here

Article published: March 25, 2025

Snapshot: In her project “Las Pelilargas,” Argentinian photographer Irina Werning embarks on a journey through Latin America to capture the beauty and cultural significance of ultra-long hair. From small Indigenous communities in the Andes to urban centers in Ecuador, this project highlights hair as both a personal and cultural symbol of identity, ancestral traditions, and resistance.

Key Takeaways:

• 📸 Tresses with a Story: Irina Werning’s “Las Pelilargas” series explores the deep cultural significance of long hair across Latin America, highlighting its ties to identity and ancestry.

• 💇‍♀️ Breaking Gender Norms: Werning’s portraits of both women and men with long hair challenge societal expectations and celebrate the power of braids in Indigenous communities.

• 🌍 Resistance in Every Strand: Long hair and braids are not just a tradition but a form of defiance against colonial forces that sought to erase Indigenous culture.

• 📚 A Book to Come: After nearly two decades of documenting this tradition, Werning is publishing a book on her journey, preserving this powerful cultural practice for future generations.

Want to see these stunning portraits of resilience and cultural pride? Check out Irina Werning’s remarkable photo project, “Las Pelilargas.”

GLOBAL TRAVEL

Americans Will Need a Visa for Europe in 2026 🎟️ read the full article here

Article published: March 20, 2025

Snapshot: European vacations just got a little more complicated—at least in the paperwork department. Starting in 2026, US travelers will need to apply for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before heading to Europe. It's not technically a ‘visa’, but it's still another hoop to jump through for your next European photo shoot.

Key Takeaways:

• 🇪🇺 ETIAS is Coming: US travelers will need an online travel authorization for short-term visits to 30 European countries starting in 2026—no long visa applications, just a quick online form.

• ⏳ Delayed, But Not Forgotten: Originally slated for 2025, the ETIAS launch has been pushed back to the end of 2026, due to tech delays with the EU’s new entry systems.

• 💸 Affordable & Quick: The ETIAS will cost just €7 (about $8) and should be approved in minutes—ideal for last-minute travel plans, but make sure to apply at least 96 hours ahead of your flight.

• 📅 Check Your Passport: As with any international travel, make sure your passport is valid and has the necessary pages—ETIAS approval doesn’t cover passport expirations!

Ready to plan your next European photo adventure? Learn more about the new ETIAS system and how it might affect your travel.

NEWS

What else is trending…

• Amtrak’s new trains are spacious, panoramic, and upgraded to the max

• Why this travel photographer sold his $4,000 Sony camera for an a6700

• Feeling down? Here are 2025’s happiest countries in the world

• The three leg conundrum: what is the best tripod to choose in 2025?

• Check out this beginner’s guide to sustainable travel

• Revealed: the winners of the British Wildlife Photography Awards

• These islands are paradise—and don’t confuse them with Hawaii

SHOT OF THE WEEK

Each week, we celebrate the amazing talent within our community by showcasing one of your travel photos.

This week’s photo comes from Samielle S., who captured a cyclist navigating through traffic in the busy streets of Tokyo, Japan.

Have a photo you’d like to see featured? Don’t forget to email me or submit your best travel shot below for a chance to be our next spotlight!

FEEDBACK

I would love to hear your thoughts or any interesting insights you’d like to share—feel free to let me know by replying to this email. And as always, please subscribe if you haven’t already.