Just passing on a good tip given to me by a photographer friend:

Take pictures of your new surroundings soon after you relocate- let’s say within the first three to six months.
For those of you who enjoy scrapbooking, the same rule applies: get those projects done early!

Why is that?
Well, first, this will ensure that you actually do take said pictures or finish said scrapbook album.
As we all know, expats easily fall prey to the “I can always photograph this temple / visit this medieval castle / get my personal project started next week” syndrome. Soon enough it will be time to move on to your next assignment, so do not delay- or be stuck with garish postcards as your only mementoes for all eternity!

Second, and perhaps more importantly, you will bring a fresh set of eyes to your new location. No matter how impressive the landscape, how majestic the gothic church or how colourful the night market, you will eventually get used to it, up to the point where you do not really see it anymore. But for the first few months, everything will seem more intriguing, more unexpected, more dramatic.

Shutters and front doors painted in bright colours. The quality of the light, so different from what you were used to back home. Daily scenes in the bustling streets of the capital city. Even if your technique is not perfect, your curiosity and sense of wonder will help you find more interesting angles and capture more emotion in your photographs.
So do not wait until you take it all for granted. Grab your camera and start exploring.

Emmanuelle