Executive Voice
How Become a Travel Photographer – with Henry Do
Henry Do is a travel photographer from Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA. He is known for his unique style of aerial photography from landscape & cities around the world
Henry Do is a renowned & master of aerial photography from the United States. He was born and raised in Vietnam. At the age of 12, he immigrated to the United States with his aunt, looking for the American Dream that so many pursue, leaving behind his parents and three younger siblings. Henry fascination with aerial photography started out young from the view of an airplane’s window and has transformed into a unique perspective that has seen today. He bought his first camera in 2007 to capture some pictures of his very first car. That soon led to his start in automotive photography industry for many years. He would learn his craft through trial-and-error since this was the era before YouTube. Henry would spend hours at the library reading books on photography and composition.
His first trip outside of the United States to Seoul, South Korea really opened his eyes of the world around him. He started shooting street photography and quickly got hooked in the adrenaline and often look up to the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, a French humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35 mm film.
Henry soon traveled to Dubai took shoot for clients in the automotive industry but still missing the travel bugs of landscape. He purchased a drone in 2015 to experiment with aerial photography and that lead to his unique style today.
Henry’s inspiration has always been to document the unique and mesmerizing landscape of our planet from a higher perspective that can change how we viewed common places around the world.
What is the best equipment to use?
To me, there is no best equipment. Technology changes everyday. What is best during the time of this interview could be inferior next year. My gear current consisted of:
⦁ Sony Alpha A7RIII
⦁ Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4 lenses
⦁ Sony 55mm F1.8 lenses
⦁ Sony 70-200mm F2.8 lenses
⦁ DJI Mavic Pro 2 aerial drone
⦁ PolarPro filters and accessories
When selecting your gear, make sure it has the highest and best quality sensor as possible for a still camera and aerial camera. Make sure to do your research and learn the technical aspect of your gear. Always shoot at highest quality available because you never gonna know if you need to use that footage later on.
What suggestions do you feel like giving yourself, who decides to take this path in photography ?
⦁ Pick up a camera, any camera, and experience with photography and videography. Learn from a plethora of tutorials out there on YouTube, magazine and other paid websites.
⦁Get inspired from other photographers and learn their craft. Discover and connect with your favorite artists on social media, and learn their technique by asking questions and follow their blog/videos.
⦁Reach out to company and brands that you would want to work with them to develop a portfolio. Start out small by doing free gigs, then gradually charge a fees for your work when you feel comfortable.
⦁Save money to travel, spend frugally, and do not indulge in material possession to “keep up with the Joneses”.
⦁Travel short distance to other cities in your area, then slowly moving to different States, and countries when you have the confident and save at least enough fund for 1 month.
