Behind the Lens With 24 Best Travel Photographer Tanveer Badal

We're thrilled that Tanveer Badal, one of our 24 Best Travel Photographers, is currently doing a #FathomTakeover on our Instagram feed. His photos of Madagascar exhibit what we love about his work — his sense of grand adventure and intimate storytellng. We wanted to know a little bit more about what goes on behind the lens.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a Los Angeles-based travel photographer. I'm attracted to wild and adventurous places, and 2014 was a big year for me — I spent it entirely on the road with my wife, Kelly Phillips Badal. Together we visited 30 countries (including a few more this year) while contributing photos and articles to Condé Nast Traveler, BBC Travel, Cool Hunting, and a few others.

How would you describe your photography style?

I like to take people into the places I travel. I have a background in creative writing, so storytelling is a big part of my photography. I'm not just looking for pretty pictures; I'm looking for ways to immerse viewers into what an experience was really like for me. I also consider travel to be a privilege, so I want to do justice to the places and the people I photograph, and show my viewers how incredible the world is.

What do you love most about photographing on the road?

I like the feeling of being completely aware of myself and my surroundings. Photography is my key to connecting and interacting with the people and environment around me. It's so easy to get addicted to screens and feeds. Photography is a step back from all that noise. I like getting up every day and walking through a new town or going on a major trek or adventure. It puts everything else into perspective. That fresh grilled fish you've ordered in some local joint tastes 100 times better when you've earned it.

Where are you headed next?

After being on the road all of last year, I'm taking this year to focus on the business aspect of my photography career. But I haven't lost the travel bug: I'm hoping to do a major South America trip in the near future and hopefully someday an Antarctica expedition.