Howdy, travel photographers!

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

You might notice I haven’t been posting the last three weeks. That is because I have taken some time off of work to travel through Australia and New Zealand with my family. I hope you can forgive me!

Regardless, I had an amazing time and am excited to get back into creating this newsletter for you all. So sit back and relax, and enjoy these interesting stories—all from the past week… well… month.

Focus of the Day

• Peak Design unveils the Roller Pro: a carry-on for travel photographers

• The ‘White Lotus Effect’: how TV and film shape travel trends

• Fujifilm boosts X100VI production, near fulfilling backorders

• Automatic refunds for canceled flights and long delays are here

Read time: 5 minutes

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

Peak Design Unveils the Roller Pro 🧳 read the full article here

Article published: March 5, 2025

Snapshot: Peak Design is rolling out (literally) their latest innovation—the Roller Pro, a sleek carry-on-sized rolling camera bag designed for travel photographers who need to haul serious gear without the hassle. Built with durable recycled polyester, a carbon fiber trolley system, and smart modular design, this bag is made to handle both airport terminals and rugged shoots with ease. Here’s why it might be your next favorite travel companion:

Key Takeaways:

• 👜 Soft Shell, Hard Case Strength: Combines the flexibility of a soft case with the durability of a hard shell—plus quick-access compartments for fast gear grabs.

• 🔄 Modular & Roomy: Compatible with Peak Design’s camera cubes, the Roller Pro can hold two camera bodies, up to 10 lenses (including a telephoto), and still leave room for your passport and a snack.

• 🔧 Replaceable Wheels = Longevity: Larger-than-average wheels handle rough surfaces like a pro, and you can easily swap them out when they wear down.

• 🚶‍♂️ SlimDrive Trolley = No Sticking: The carbon fiber handle system skips traditional telescopic tubes, meaning no more jammed handles at the worst possible moment.

Check out the Roller Pro on Kickstartr.

POP CULTURE

The ‘White Lotus Effect’: How TV and Film Shapes Travel Trends 🎬 read the full article here

Article published: February 16, 2025

Snapshot: Who knew murder, luxury, and Armond’s nighttime activities personality could drive travel trends? The ‘White Lotus effect’ is real—after each season of the hit HBO show, bookings at its lavish filming locations have skyrocketed. With season three set in Thailand, expect a fresh wave of travel inspiration (and maybe some body bags) as viewers chase that White Lotus vibe from Phuket to Bangkok.

Key Takeaways:

• 🏝️ Tourism Goldmine: After season two, the Four Seasons in Taormina saw a six-month booking surge; Thailand’s resorts are already feeling the heat.

• ✈️ Streaming Drives Travel: Netflix and HBO are basically the new travel agents—spikes in streaming lead to spikes in flights and hotel bookings.

• 🌍 Location Matters: Thailand beat out Japan, Bali, and the Philippines for season three, with producers looking for luxury, drama, and a solid murder backdrop.

• 🎥 Creative License Counts: Not everything is as it seems—scenes are often stitched together from multiple locations to create that perfect on-screen paradise.

Want to see what all the hype is about? Here are Thailand’s most photogenic resorts.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Fujifilm Boosts X100VI Production, Near Fulfilling Backorders 📦 read the full article here

Article published: March 11, 2025

Snapshot: Fujifilm's X100VI is so popular, it's been stuck in a “waiting list purgatory” for over a year. The camera’s sleek design and impressive features have left photographers clamoring, while Fujifilm is working overtime to meet demand. If you’re one of the many still waiting, take heart: they’re ramping up production—and trying to fight off the scalpers who are charging way too much for those coveted units.

Key Takeaways:

• ⏳ Patience, Grasshopper: Fujifilm is still playing catch-up after a tidal wave of pre-orders, but they're making progress—just don’t expect instant gratification.

• 📦 More Cameras, Fewer Waits: Production has more than doubled since last year, but some bottlenecks remain. No, you can’t just double the production overnight!

• 💸 Scalpers Ruin the Fun: Prices are skyrocketing on the second-hand market, but Fujifilm urges you to hold off and avoid feeding into the scalper frenzy.

• 🤞 Good News Ahead: The backlog is slowly being cleared, so that elusive X100VI might finally be on its way to your door.

HINT: For anyone interested in purchasing a X100VI, call around to various local camera stores who may have smaller wait lists. I ordered mine from Kenmore Camera and it shipped within three weeks.

TRAVEL NEWS

Automatic Refunds for Canceled Flights and Long Delays are Here 💸 read the full article here

Article published: March 7, 2025

Snapshot: Stranded at the airport and your travel plans turned upside down? Don’t fret—thanks to new US rules, airlines are now required to automatically compensate you for delays, cancellations, and even the missing luggage that’s keeping your camera gear hostage. So while you might not be getting those vacation photos immediately, at least you’re getting your money back for the inconvenience.

Key Takeaways:

• 🛫 Automatic Refunds for Cancellations: If your flight’s canceled or significantly changed, you’re legally entitled to a refund—no need to beg the airline!

• 🧳 Delayed Bags? No Problem: Late luggage means a full refund for baggage fees—your camera gear can’t stay delayed forever, right?

• 💻 Refund for Missing In-Flight Perks: Wi-Fi not working or seat selection a disaster? You’ll get your money back for services you didn’t receive.

• 🤧 Sick and Can't Travel? You’re Covered: If you're sick and can’t fly due to a serious disease, you can get travel credits or a voucher valid for five years—just don’t forget that doctor’s note.

Still worried. Here are the airlines with the best cancellation and flex change policies.

NEWS

What’s trending…

• What NPS layoffs could mean for your summer national park visit

• Sony World Photography Awards 2025: from festivals to polar bears

• These are the top travel destinations for April

• Rise, fall, and rise again—the comeback of compact cameras

• 9 key facts about Holi, India’s vibrant festival of colors

• 20 essential travel photography tips to elevate your shots

• 2025’s ultimate travel credit card combos

SHOT OF THE WEEK

Each week, we celebrate the amazing talent within our community by showcasing one of your travel photos. However, as I just returned from a trip Australia and New Zealand, I wanted to highlight one of my own photos this week (if that’s not too much to ask).

This week’s photo comes from yours truly, who captured New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt. Cook, in all of it’s glory—featuring my sister.

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.