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
The Real Cost of Chasing Every Client Instead of the Right Ones
A working adventure photographer explains why chasing every inquiry out of scarcity quietly costs more than it earns, and how selectivity compounds over time.
Why I Say No to Projects That Pay Well But Don't Fit
A working adventure photographer explains why creative, working-style, and strategic fit matter as much as budget when evaluating a new project.
The Difference Between a Retainer Client and a One-Off Client
A working adventure photographer breaks down what actually separates retainer client relationships from one-off projects, and how to price and scope each differently.
The Case for Being a Long-Term Creative Partner, Not a Vendor
A working adventure photographer explains why positioning as a genuine creative partner, rather than a transactional vendor, produces stronger creative work and better business outcomes.