The Photographer’s Playbook
Your resource to becoming an adventure photographer
The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook is an e-book created by full-time photographer Dalton Johnson to help new photographers go from nothing to booked in the adventure photography space.
This adventure photography e-book goes over the business and what “making it” as a photographer in the outdoor space requires. Covering topics such as pricing, marketing, building a body of work, reflection questions, and everything you need to know to make a career out of adventure photography.
Updated: June 2025
My Actual Backup System When a Card Fails in the Field
A working adventure photographer breaks down his real backup system, from dual card slots to verified multi-drive transfers, and why it has to be boring and consistent to actually work.
Shooting Surf From the Beach vs. From the Water
A working adventure photographer breaks down the creative and practical tradeoffs between shooting surf from the beach and shooting from the water, and how he decides which to use.
What Changes When You Shoot a Bikepacking Trip Instead of a Day Ride
A working adventure photographer explains how shooting a multi-day bikepacking trip differs from a single day ride, from story structure to gear weight to physical demands.
Capturing the Send: Timing a Climbing Shot Right
A working adventure photographer explains how he anticipates and times the exact moment in a climb that reads as a genuine send, rather than just a person on a rock.
What I Always Check Before a Shoot Starts
A working adventure photographer breaks down his actual pre-shoot checklist, from gear and logistics to a dedicated safety pass, and why he never lets experience shorten it.
Color Grading a Series So It Feels Like One Trip
A working adventure photographer explains how he color grades a full gallery to feel cohesive, from establishing a consistent baseline to reviewing images in sequence.
Rigging a Camera Safely to a Climbing Harness
A working adventure photographer explains why a camera rarely clips directly to a climbing harness, and how he actually secures gear while climbing or shooting from the wall.
What I Actually Look for in a Camera Body for Adventure Work
A working adventure photographer explains what he actually prioritizes in a camera body, from durability and dual card slots to matching different bodies to different jobs.
My Actual Pre-Dawn Routine Before a Sunrise Shoot
A working adventure photographer breaks down his real pre-dawn prep routine, from packing the night before to improvising when the weather turns against forecast.
How I Edit on the Road With Limited Power and Time
A working adventure photographer explains his actual field editing workflow, from nightly van reviews to setting expectations on remote, low-power shoots.