There's a saying I love that goes, “The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read a page.” » And when you decide to read this book, you may also want to add some illustrations. In his recent video, Lodi Pertovt from Lost and Abroad shares some amazing tips for taking photos of strangers while you're abroad. Not only will they help you “illustrate your book,” but they will also help you make connections and go to places you wouldn’t normally find.
Tip #1: Be open to change and open in general
Many of us over-plan when it comes to traveling, but you simply can't plan everything. Dealing with unexpected events or changing plans on the spot can be stressful, but you can benefit from it.
One of Lodi's biggest ideas is to stay open to unexpected opportunities, and he shares his own example. When he arrived in Maramureș, Romania, he planned a simple stop at Baia Mare before heading to remote villages. But things changed when he discovered a local chestnut festival (incidentally, if you've never had roasted chestnuts or chestnut puree, I highly recommend it). Instead of sticking to his original plan, Lodi signed up for an extra night to immerse himself in the festival and soak up the city's unique charm. This open-minded approach has led to real connections, unforgettable photosand a richer travel experience overall.
Tip 2: Just say “yes” – when it’s safe to do so
In Maramureș, Lodi's group encountered a local named Clodo, who noticed them camping near an old wooden church. Clodo struck up a conversation and offered them a warm place to stay with his family, warning them that it would be a cold night outside. After assessing the situation (and noting the family's warm hospitality), they accepted his offer. That simple “yes” led to more than just a cozy night’s sleep: it opened a memorable cultural exchange with Clodo’s family and the surrounding community. It reminded me of a similar situation my parents experienced when they were sleeping at a complete stranger's house in a remote village here in Serbia. People can be incredibly warm and hospitable here in the Balkans (no matter what you've heard about us).
However, as Lodi points out, and I agree, saying “yes” does not mean blindly accepting everything. Trust your instincts, consider the surroundings and be careful. But if you say “yes” to safe, positive opportunities, you may find yourself welcomed into a local family or given the chance to see life from a whole new perspective.
Tip 3: Smile, greet and learn a little local language
In the charming town of Breb, Lodi's approach to photography became much simpler: be friendly and say hello. Welcome residents with a smile and learn some basic sentences in Romanian like “Buna” (hello) or “Seara buna” (good evening) helped him create instant connections. These small gestures put people at ease and, in turn, they welcomed him into their lives.
Lodi's open greetings led him to unexpected adventures, like joining locals apple picking and even being invited to lunch by a charming elderly woman he met along the way. By demonstrating genuine warmth and friendliness, Lodi was able to gain people's trust and photograph them in an authentic, non-intrusive way.
So while some street or travel photography may seem intrusive or uncomfortable, yours doesn't have to be. I love Lodi's approach of building connections and treating every encounter with respect. When you expose yourself in this way, people often respond with kindness and you might find yourself welcomed into homes, festivals and daily rituals that will make your travel memories truly unforgettable.
So the next time you go abroad, consider these tips. Be open to the unexpected, remain respectful and embrace the local culture. You will come home with incredible and unique photos. But what's even more important, in my opinion, is that you will come back with new experiences, and maybe some new friends too.
(Do you photograph strangers like a creep? | Lost and abroad)
