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
Why I Waited Too Long to Raise My Rates
A working adventure photographer explains the fears that kept him at an outdated rate for too long, what the delay actually cost, and what finally pushed him to raise it.
Why I Waited Too Long to Raise My Rates
A working adventure photographer explains the fears that kept him at an outdated rate for too long, what the delay actually cost, and what finally pushed him to raise it.
What Keeps Me Motivated After a Decade in This Business
A working adventure photographer explains how motivation has shifted over a decade-plus career, from early excitement to craft satisfaction and long-term relationships.
What Keeps Me Motivated After a Decade in This Business
A working adventure photographer explains how motivation has shifted over a decade-plus career, from early excitement to craft satisfaction and long-term relationships.
Why I Walk Away From Certain Negotiations
A working adventure photographer explains the signals that tell him a negotiation isn't going to work, and why walking away cleanly protects both the business and the relationship.
Why I Walk Away From Certain Negotiations
A working adventure photographer explains the signals that tell him a negotiation isn't going to work, and why walking away cleanly protects both the business and the relationship.
How I Priced My First Year vs. How I Price Now
A working adventure photographer compares how he priced projects as a beginner to how he prices now, and what actually changed in between.
How I Priced My First Year vs. How I Price Now
A working adventure photographer compares how he priced projects as a beginner to how he prices now, and what actually changed in between.
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.