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20 Most Beautiful Places in the World for Photography

If you had the chance to bring your camera anywhere in the world, where would you go? There are many beautiful places in the world for photography , and many photographers are lucky enough to have the time and resources to travel to every single one of them.

But even if you don’t have the option of trotting the globe all year round searching for new and stunning views to immortalize with your camera, you can still have to be a bit more selective with the places you visit. We’ve come up with a list of some of the best places to photograph from all around the world.

Whether you want to do some landscape photography , nature photography , astrophotography , or even street photography , here are some places that you’ll want to include your travel photography bucket list.

Machu Picchu (Peru)

Peru’s Machu Picchu is a dream for any photographer who loves traveling and taking large -scale landscape pictures. This world famous 15th-century landmark is situated almost eight thousand feet above sea level. It offers stunning views of the Andes and of the ancient Inca temples and ruins. And at the foot of Machu Picchu is the Aguas Calientes, where you can also do some astrophotography and capture spectacular shots of the Milky Way.

When you do get to plan your trip to Peru, make sure to bring your landscape photography lenses (especially a wide-angle one to capture more of the scene) and wait until the sun is a little lower to eliminate those harsh shadows.

Pyramids of Giza (Egypt)

Who doesn’t get awe-inspired by the majestic pyramids of Egypt? At the Pyramids of Giza complex in the outskirts of Cairo, you’ll find the three pyramids (including the biggest and oldest one called the Pyramid of Khufu) and a massive Sphinx sculpture, which should look awesome in panoramic shots .

Photographers who have been to the Pyramids of Giza warn that you should expect extreme lighting in this part of this Egyptian desert, so you can definitely utilize fast shutters. For more professional-quality images, use a good and reliable circular polarizer to give your images a boost in contrast and your skies a deeper blue shade.

Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats (Bolivia)

If you’re a fan of surreal, breathtaking images then you’ll want to bring your gear with you to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in the Andes of southwest Bolivia. It’s basically a dried-up desert lake where a thin layer of water forms during wet climates. When the water evaporates during hotter climates, the ground gets covered with a solid layer of salt and other minerals.

It’s currently the world’s largest salt flat and it stretches over 4,000 square miles, so you would be able to take wide shots of this incredible plane without other tourists sneaking into your frame and ruining your photo. However, you’ll definitely have to learn how to take photos of amazing reflections to be able to add cool optical illusions to your shots.

Reed Flute Cave (China)

The Reed Flute Cave, also known as the “Palace of Natural Arts,” is a popular tourist destination in Guilin, China. It’s been a famous attraction for more than a thousand years and is over 180 million years old. What makes this landmark so frequently photographed is the artificial multicolored lighting that beautifully illuminates the rock formations, as well as the lake that offers surreal mirror reflections of this majestic fairyland.

When shooting in colorful locations like the Reed Flute Cave, you’re sure to get visually appealing images. However, as with most of the other places mentioned on this list, there are many other photographers out there who will be taking pictures of the same things, so you’ll want to give your composition some careful thought in order to produce photos that stand out from the rest. At the same time, you’ll definitely need to learn about low-light photography to be able to take well-exposed images here.

Antelope Canyon (Arizona)

It would be hard not to take a ton of photos of the magnificent sandstone maze of the Antelope Canyon in Arizona. This unique geological formation has two sections (the Upper and Lower canyons) and is popular for its colorful, fractured walls. If you wait long enough and aim quickly with your camera, you may also be able to catch ephemeral “God beams” or sun spotlights from the cracks above.

The truth is, it’s actually darker inside the Antelope Canyon than it seems in pictures, plus the wide range of posure within makes it all the more challenging to capture properly exposed images. You’ll need to take long exposures (sometimes 20-30 seconds) and possibly even HDRs to ensure well-lit shots.

Fairbanks (Alaska)

To see the entrancing Aurora Borealis (or the Northern Lights) is a dream for many, and capturing the Northern Lights is also an exciting feat for many photographers. Luckily, you won’t have to go very far to see these heavenly lights, because the Fairbanks region in Alaska is one of the top locations to visit if you want a great view of this fascinating natural phenomenon.

An inexperienced photographer may not be able to capture the Northern Lights in the same way that they see it with their own eyes, but here are some recommended settings to use in order to improve your night sky photography and take better pictures of these glowing lights:

• Use your camera’s Live View setting
• Set your focus to infinity
• Choose a high ISO (between 800 and 320)
• Open your aperture wide at around f/28 to f/5.6
• Set your shutter speed at 15-30 seconds.

And finally, schedule your trip between April and August for the best photographic results.

Mauna Kea (Hawaii)

For those with experience in astrophotography , you’ll love shooting at this prime stargazing area in Hawaii. The peak of the Mauna Kea, which is arguably the tallest mountain and volcano in the world, is the highest point in Hawaii, so there will be little to no light pollution to ruin your starry night shots.

Star photography, in general, requires very slow shutter speeds, so don’t dare forget your tripod and remote shutter release for tack sharp images of that beautiful starry sky.

New York City (USA)

New York City is called “the city that never sleeps” for a reason—the constant hustle and bustle goes on until the wee hours of the morning, and the city lights pretty much never go out. Because of this, it’s a sight to behold both in the morning and at night. Its stunning skyline is without a doubt one of the most famous in the world, but apart from the glittering skyscrapers, you’ve also got plenty of famous landmarks to photograph: the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and many, many more. If you’re visiting in the winter, check out our guide to NYC holiday photo spots for inspiration.

Also, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places in the world for street photography , photographing graffiti art to add color to your images , and outdoor architecture photography .

Bora Bora (French Polynesia)

This list wouldn’t be complete without amazing beaches and islands. Feast your eyes on the beauty of the Bora Bora island, located in French Polynesia. Known for its extinct volcanoes and turquoise lagoon, it is surrounded by islets, crystal blue waters, fine white sand, and colorful coral reefs.

It’s definitely one of the most popular photography places in the world, both above water and underwater, so bring your circular polarizer for more vivid colors and an underwater camera housing for when you go scuba diving!

The Alps (Switzerland)

Whether you decide to climb up over 13,000 feet and find your way across the peak, or shoot from a grassy hill a couple of miles away where you can still get a great view of the mountains in the background, Europe’s iconic mountains will always equal to a priceless photograph.

Many photographers shoot from the top of the Breithorn mountain for the best views of the Swiss Alps and the nearby French and Italian Alps. If you have the privilege to shoot all day, we highly suggest you include both day and night in one photo for maximum impact.

Follow our guide to winter photography in Iceland or learn how to photograph an active volcano outside of Reykjavík .

Vatnajökull Ice Cave (Iceland)

Every year, thousands of adventurous tourists and photographers travel to Iceland to see the brilliant interior of the bottom of the Vatnajökull glacier in Skaftafell National Park. It’s one of the most unique wonders of the world, and you wouldn’t want to leave this breathtaking landmark without taking a dozen photos from inside.

You always have the creative freedom to shoot your subjects any way you want, but also try to use the correct white balance to capture the raw beauty of this one-of-a-kind icy cave.

The Pantheon (Rome)

While it’s always a good idea to visit the birthplace of Western civilization to immerse yourself in history and culture, you’ll definitely want to go for the photos, too. Pretty much every building in Rome is photogenic, which is why it is definitely one of the best places for photography buffs to check out. There are certainly a lot of recognizable buildings to choose from, but if we were to pick one, we absolutely love the Pantheon in the Piazza della Rotonda.

You can shoot from inside this ancient Roman temple-turned-church for a shot of the huge circular hole (oculus) that lets light in from the domed ceiling or the façade, which is beautifully lit at night. We also suggest that you shoot just before sunrise or just after sunset during the Golden Hour , so the Pantheon would be lit orange from outside against dark blue skies.

The Canadian Rockies (Canada)

Oh, Canada. There’s simply nothing like the Canadian Rockies. Stretching from the U.S. border to the top of Alberta and British Columbia, this stretch of the Rocky Mountains is one of the most incredible photography places on the planet. 

The Canadian Rockies certainly aren’t the biggest mountains on the planet, but they’re some of the most picturesque. They have with countless, brilliant colorful alpine lakes surrounded by jagged, glacier-carved peaks. 

It has the historic mountain towns of Jasper and Banff and the world-renowned Icefield Parkway that connects two towns, running north to south. Plus, it has amazing national parks like Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks and multiple provincial parks in between. There are endless opportunities for photography. There’s no denying the Canadian Rockies are one of the best places to take pictures. 

Yosemite Valley (California)

Situated in the amazing Yosemite National Park , deep in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California, Yosemite Valley is mecca for landscape photography. Made famous by Ansel Adams and countless photographers following in his footsteps, Yosemite Valley is truly a place you have to see to believe. 

With endless granite walls and formations that rise thousands of feet into the sky and towering waterfalls that fall to the valley below, Yosemite Valley feels like another world. You could spend a lifetime in the valley and never get tired of its grandeur and endless compositions. 

Without a doubt, Yosemite Valley, from El Capitan to Half Dome, is one of the most beautiful places in the world for photography. Check out how photographer Tyler Glass captured the Yosemite Firefall in action.

The Nā Pali Coast (Hawaii) 

The Nā Pali Coast, located on the northern shore of the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands , is one of the most jaw-dropping photography places on the world. The jagged ridges and valleys of this stunning coastline make up the second tallest sea cliffs in the world, towering over 4,000 feet tall.

You can photograph the Nā Pali Coast from above, in Kōke’e State Park. It can also be photographed from Nā Pali State Wilderness Park, on the ridgelines above or the the coastline below.

However, the best way to photograph the Nā Pali is by air or boat . Both methods of transportation offer the best views for photography and truly capture the magnitude and scale of these magnificent sea cliffs and coastline. 

Patagonia (Chile/Argentina)

Patagonia is a region in southern Chile and Argentina and easily one of the most beautiful places in the world for photography. 

Very few places in the world come close to the beauty of Patagonia. Whether its the iconic mountain landscapes, vast forests, large nature reserves, world-renowned national parks, sprawling glaciers, or beautiful native wildlife, Patagonia truly has it all. 

The major highlight of Patagonia are its two famous national parks: Torres del Paine National in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Both are essential to photograph for the classic Patagonia experience.

Tokyo (Japan)

Tokyo is the most populated city in the world with over 38 million residents. It’s a sprawling urban mecca filled with endless energy and character. It’s where old world Japan meets new, and temples meet skyscrapers. 

Tokyo is considered to be one of the top street and city photography destinations in the world because it offers so much for photographers. You get the gritty, big city feel at locations like Shibuya Crossing mixed with beautiful traditional Japanese culture and architecture found at beautiful locations like Meiji Jingu Shrine and Sensō-ji Temple. Tokyo is filled with photo spots , which offer amazing views of the temple with Mount Fuji in the distance. 

Speaking of Mount Fuji, about an hour from Toyko’s city center is the famous “Fuji Five Lakes” region, with five lakes, Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Saiko, Shōji and Motosu, that that perfectly frame the famous Mount Fuji. 

Toyko is also known for its beautiful parks and gardens, with famous locations like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Yoyogi Park, and Ueno Park, to name a few. And the best thing about Toyko’s gardens, parks, and natural destinations? Their entire landscapes erupt with cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in fall. 

Check out our Tokyo street photography guide and the hidden gems of Tokyo to find your photography destinations.

The Lofoten Islands (Norway)

The entire country of Norway belongs on this list. But if we had to narrow it down to one place, it’d be the Lofoten Islands. 

Located in the Arctic Circle in the northern part of Norway, the Lofoten Islands are a dramatic chain of islands that juts out into the Norwegian Sea. It’s where glacier-carved mountains meet white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters appear out of a tropical paradise. The Lofoten Islands offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Europe and one of the most beautiful places in the world for photography.  

However, what makes the Lofoten Islands so special are their idyllic fishing villages and rich Viking history. Famous villages with their colorful fishing huts that dot the coastline, like Reine, Hamnoy, Henningsvær, and Nusfjord, are incredible to photograph. If you decide to go for a more adventurous route, the Lofoten Islands have plenty of hiking trails with world-class views of the beautiful mountains, fjords, lakes, and beaches that make Lofoten so special.  

Paris (France) 

It’s hard to think of a more beautiful and iconic city than Paris and one of the most beautiful places in the world for photography. Steeped in history, culture, Paris is the center of so much influence. Music, food, art, and fashion all have deep roots in this city, and Paris has been the epicenter for cultural revolution. 

This history and culture carries over throughout the streets of Paris, where every street and corner is bubbling with charm and character. Wherever you look, there are colorful cafes and interesting bookstores, perfect for urban street photography.

If you’re looking for interesting, historic architecture, Paris has that too. Some of the best places to take pictures include the historic island fortress of l’Île de la Cité, the Pont des Arts bridge, the Lourve Museum and the famous Lourve pyramid, and of course, the around the Eiffel Tower. 

Check out our guide to non-touristy photo spots in Paris for your next destination.

The Amalfi Coast (Italy)

Considered to be one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet, the Amalfi Coast is a dream for photography. This UNESCO World Heritage Site spans over 34 miles of the southern Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy’s Campania region. It’s known for its rugged shoreline and large sea cliffs, dotted with beaches, colorful villages, terracing vineyards, beautiful hotels and villas, and of course, it’s famous lemon groves. And let’s not forget that incredibly blue crystal clear water.  

There are 13 seaside villages and towns on the Amalfi Coast, connected by the SS163 highway that is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. From Postino to Amalfi, Atrani to the high cliff dwelling of Ravello, every town is beautiful, with its own unique character and charm. The Amalfi Coast is a bucket list location for any photographer, and one of the best photography places in the world. 

The Himalayas (Nepal)

The Himalayas, the great Asia mountain range, are home to the tallest mountains in the world, with more than 110 peaks rising over 7,300 meters or 24,000 feet. The crown gem of course, is Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on earth at 29,032 feet high above sea level.

While this massive mountain range spans into several countries, the Nepali Himalayas are often considered the most beautiful and accessible. The base of the Himalayas start at Nepal’s largest city, Kathmandu. It’s a vibrant, bustling and eclectic city, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Himalayas”, and a hotspot for photography in itself.

However, Kathmandu is just the beginning. You come to Nepal to hike and climb mountains. The popular routes from Kathmandu are Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit. Both routes take two weeks or more to complete, partly due to the days need for acclimation to the high altitude. However, both treks offer access to photograph some of the most massive, awe-inspiring mountains on the planet. You’ll see beautiful mountain temples and prayer wheels that connect the natural to the spiritual.

So what are you waiting for? These most beautiful places in thew world for photography are waiting for you to book that ticket and start packing for your next trip!

Nathan Lee Allen

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10 Best Places to Travel for Photography

A Post By: Jeremy Flint

There are many incredible locations around the globe, and they’re all capable of entertaining photographers for a lifetime .

So whether you’re looking for cities to explore, history and culture, or majestic landscapes, the world is your oyster. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner planning a first travel photography trip or you’re a serious photographer in search of top travel destinations; this guide is for you.

Below, I share a selection of my favorite locations for photography. They offer an array of attractions – crystal-clear oceans, breathtaking vistas, hiking adventures, safaris, and so much more – and cater to a variety of interests, budgets, and activity levels. So to discover the 10 best places to travel for photography, read on!

1. The Lake District, England

The Lake District is an incredibly beautiful location and one of the best landscape photography destinations in the world. This amazing national park features lakes, fells, waterfalls, and even some attractive market towns! A few of the most photogenic lakes you will find in the park include Ullswater, Derwent Lake, Wast Water, and Lake Windermere.

The Lake District is a great place for fun camera walks, and it’ll especially appeal to those looking for a more active trip. The variety of walking routes is impressive and offers many spectacular views of the lakes and surrounding fells. And the Lake District looks great year-round, so whether you’re searching for a winter or a summer trip, it’s a great pick.

2. Grand Canyon, USA

Without a doubt, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most photogenic places on earth, and it’s certainly one of the best locations for landscape photography in the US thanks to its absolutely mind-blowing vistas.

The park features two rims – North and South – each offering incredible overlooks and views of the canyon. The photo opportunities are endless, and you can capture the grand scale and vastness of the rocky landscape at any time of day, including sunrise, midday, and sunset. (Other top US national parks worth visiting include Yellowstone, home to geysers and hot springs, and Yosemite, with its stunning waterfalls and beautiful peaks.)

3. Provence, France

If you’re seeking beautiful scenery, then Provence is the place to be. Nestled in a picturesque corner in the South of France and bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, Provence features row upon row of purple lavender fields (they carpet the landscape as far as the eye can see!).

Provence is one of the top places to travel for photography, and it’s a truly delightful location thanks to its warm sunny climate, great food, and colorful scenery. With plenty to photograph – from iconic lavender fields to attractive hilltop villages – this rural region really is a photographer’s paradise.

4. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Are you a beginner in search of a plethora of natural wonders to photograph? Then consider a trip to Tenerife. With its volcanic scenery, pine forests of Teide National Park, black sand beaches, rugged cliffs, and great walking routes, the opportunities for photography are endless.

Mount Teide reaches over 12,000 feet; in fact, it’s the highest point in Spain. And Teide is Europe’s most popular national park (with three million annual visitors!). One bonus is the low light-pollution levels, which makes Tenerife’s clear and vivid night skies a popular choice for astrophotographers. Tenerife is also a good budget-friendly destination with plenty of reasonably priced restaurants and accommodations.

5. Tanzania, Africa

Seeing African wildlife in its natural habitat is the stuff of dreams, but a trip to Tanzania – one of the best wildlife photography locations in the world – can make it happen.

Serengeti National Park is an amazing location to view wildlife, and a safari is the best way to experience the magnificence of the big five: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards. You can also photograph stunning acacia trees and the surrounding environment where a host of other animals thrive on the vast open plains, including cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest. Tanzania isn’t the cheapest of destinations, but it’ll allow you to create some truly wonderful images and memories that will last a lifetime.

6. Maldives

Situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, this impressive collection of islands is a fantastic travel photography destination. Maldives is one of the most beautiful places in the world and features an abundance of colorful marine life, white sand beaches, and turquoise seas.

This tropical paradise is more expensive to visit but comes highly recommended for its travel photography potential. You can soak in the sights of your chosen island, do some wildlife watching, or head out on a sunset cruise. Other activities include snorkeling and diving, kayaking, and seaplane flights, which offer spectacular underwater , on-the-water, and aerial photographic opportunities .

7. Kefalonia, Greece

Kefalonia, a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, features gorgeous vistas and cultural wonders, not to mention a wonderful tropical climate that makes for great spring, summer, and fall visits.

Kefalonia boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, including Myrtos and Antisamos Beach, as well as plenty of natural wonders for landscape and travel photography: caves, crystal-clear water, pine forests, steep cliffs, and even wildlife. It’s a relaxing place to visit, and it’s a perfect destination if you prefer to drive around and explore on your own.

The island also offers historic towns, ports, and picturesque villages to visit and/or photograph. If you wish to expand your trip to include an array of Greek islands, check out Santorini, Crete, and Corfu, all of which are great for travel photography.

8. Kyoto, Japan

Why is Kyoto worth a photographic visit? So many reasons . This cultural center offers dozens of attractions for travel photographers, including thousands of traditional temples, pagodas, and shrines, not to mention beautiful parks and gardens. Landscape photographers will love the wooded forests, bamboo groves, and the changing seasons of snow and cherry blossoms, and more street-focused photographers will find plenty to shoot, too.

One of the most beautiful subjects to photograph in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. The nearby Nara Park is also worthy of a visit thanks to its World Heritage sites and friendly deer. Bottom line: If you’re interested in combining beauty and culture in a single trip, Kyoto is an outstanding destination.

9. Namibia, Africa

With its diverse landscapes and beautiful wildlife, Namibia is an incredible destination for travel photography. Home to Etosha National Park (a wildlife sanctuary) and the Skeleton Coast (where the ocean is backed by sand dunes), Namibia’s photographic opportunities are endless.

A key area for photography is the desolate dunes of Sossusvlei. Located in Namib-Naukluft National Park, these dunes are some of the tallest in the world (Dune 7 soars over 1256 feet!). Dune 7, Dune 45, and Big Daddy are all fun to climb and provide exhilarating views of sand dunes extending out across the landscape.

10. The Himalayas, Nepal

Home to some of the best mountain vistas in the world, the Himalayas are a great destination for photographers, adventurers, hikers, and tourists. Mount Everest is the highest peak on earth and makes for a magnificent mountain landscape photography subject, though you can also use it as a stunning backdrop to complement other Himalayan peaks.

The scenery is sublime, with picture-perfect views of dramatic mountains, glaciers, lakes, and colorful prayer flags. Consider trekking to Everest Base Camp or doing the Annapurna Circuit; both offer a glimpse into this natural paradise with its jaw-dropping mountain scenery and breathtaking valley views.

The best places to travel for photography

Whether you’re into architecture, landscapes, nature, or wildlife, you’re bound to appreciate one (or all!) of the destinations on this list.

So pick a location for your next photography adventure and get trekking! With so many wonderful locations around the world, it can certainly be tough to choose, but I hope this list at least helped you narrow down your options.

Which location for photography do you plan to pick? Do you have any additional destinations to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

Jeremy Flint is an award-winning photographer and writer, specialising in travel, landscape and location photography and is known for documenting images of beautiful destinations, cultures and communities from around the world. Jeremy has won awards including the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize and the Association of Photographers Discovery Award, besides being commended in Outdoor Photographer of the Year. He has also been a finalist in the Travel Photographer of the year and British Photography Awards several times. He has been commissioned by commercial and editorial clients worldwide including National Geographic Traveller, Country Life, Discover Britain, USA National Parks and Visit Britain and has travelled extensively to over 65 countries.

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The Complete Guide to Travel Photography

By Megan Spurrell

As travelers, our cameras can feel like a fifth limb—an essential tool with which to move through the world and absorb new experiences. They make it possible to document the people we meet. They provide tangible memories of the remarkable beauty we travel so far to see. Ultimately, they help us communicate what words cannot.

In the digital era, the tie between travel and photography feels more innate than ever. Photography has become more accessible and affordable to dabble in (who even needs a real camera with phones these days? ). On the flip side, it can feel as if documenting and sharing our travel experiences has become half of the seeing itself. In her essay on pushing herself to take a photo-free trip , Allie Jones asks a question we can all relate to: “If you visit a trendy upstate New York museum and don’t take any photos, were you ever really there?”

As the routine of snapping and sharing becomes as habitual as rinse and repeat, others urge us to become more thoughtful with our travel photography. Just because we can photograph and share everything, in a matter of seconds, doesn’t mean we need to. In his feature, Tyler Moss explores the #nogeotag movement , and looks at just how our photo sharing can drastically alter a destination—and decide who gets to experience it. For professional photographers Gray Malin and Alex Strohl , the “how” of nailing their iconic travel photographs has relied more on patience, and analog techniques like driving massive props cross-country, or waiting for the perfect shot in sub-zero temps, than on any new developments.

And, just in case you were starting to let your Instagram feed convince you that you’ve seen it all, we’ve pulled in photo studies from photographers whose work we can’t help but ogle. Jessica Sarkodie shares a refreshing look at the unspoiled beaches of her native Ghana. Cedric Angeles flew to Mongolia for a peek inside the lives of the country’s famous eagle hunters (and yes, there are photos of the eagles in their hunting caps ahead). For Sandy Noto , photographing harvest season in the Dolomites while off-duty yielded gorgeous slices of life.

Of course, if you’re ready to step up your own game, we’ve also got the gear you need—from underwater cameras to camera bags that don’t look like camera bags. And, we’ve rounded up our favorite photographers to follow right now, because as much as we want to cut the social media umbilical cord, there is so much to admire there. You just need to know where to look.

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• The 12 Best Places to Photograph Around the World: Travel Bloggers Reveal
• Destination Guides
• By Lisa Michele Burns

It’s no secret the world is rich in enough beautiful destinations to keep even the most intrepid location scouter happy for a lifetime of photo adventures.

From tropical islands to desert plains, bustling cities and snow caves, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing your next destination to visit and photograph.

To share a little of their worldly wisdom, I reached out to my favourite travel bloggers to reveal the one place they couldn’t put their camera down. I wanted to know where that incredible landscape, town, country or mountain range was that blew them away on their travels and kept them clicking the camera shutter.

For some it’s an exotic African landscape and others it’s a special place closer to home…take a look below to discover the best places to photograph around the world according to these travel professionals!

#1 Iceland: Kiersten Rich – The Blonde Abroad

“Iceland is quickly becoming to go-to destination for travelers of all kinds, but particularly for photographers. I was so enchanted with Iceland’s otherworldly beauty and natural wonder, I could hardly find a single moment to put my camera down. Between glaciers, puffins, waterfalls, geysers and the Northern Lights, it’s a playground of photo opportunities.”

Destination: Iceland. Photo Credit Kiersten Rich

#2 Namibia: Erin Marie – The World Wanderer

“The most photogenic location I have visited would have to be Namibia. Before I arrived, I barely knew anything about the country, but the diversity of the landscapes immediately took me by surprise.  Between the red sand dunes of the Namib Desert and salt flats in Etosha National Park to the rock formations at Spitzkoppe and Fish River Canyon, the world’s second largest, there was simply no time to put the camera down.  Each place was so different than the last, and I remember wanting to capture it all.”

Destination: Namibia. Photo Credit Erin Marie.

#3 New Zealand’s South Island: Jaharn Giles – Mister Weekender

“Last year I was very lucky to visit New Zealand twice. On my first visit I explored the South Island and on the last day I drove from Queenstown to Christchurch to catch my flight back to Sydney in the evening. Along the way I stopped by Lake Tekapo to take some photos of Mt Cook, and soon after I drove past this majestic mountain. I literally pulled the car over, clamoured over a grassy hill to get a better view and found myself snapping my camera and simply staring at this gorgeous snow capped mountain for over half an hour. It’s these moments on my travels that make me realise how lucky I am to be able to travel the world, go on adventures and explore such beautiful nature.”

Destination: New Zealand’s South Island. Photo Credit Jaharn Giles

#4 Russia: Silvia Lawrence– Heart My Backpack

“I’m not a great photographer, so usually when I visit a place I take a few shots and then put my camera away, but when I stepped onto frozen Lake Baikal (in Russia) I could not stop taking photos! The ice is thick enough to walk on but clear enough to see far down into the world’s deepest lake, and the cracks in the ice added lots of drama. Even though it was bitterly cold and windy standing on the ice, it was so hard to tear myself away!”

Destination: Russia. Photo Credit Silvia Lawrence

#5 Peru: Michael Turtle – The Time Travel Turtle

“On my travels through Peru recently I was amazed by the range of landscapes to photograph. One of my favourite areas was in the Lares Valley, between the city of Cusco and the famous Machu Picchu. It was so beautiful to see the world change as I went up and then down the high altitude. You had mountains with glaciers in the distance, animals feeding in the greener areas, and rivers running through it all. I did a trek through the Lares Valley for 4 days and, although Machu Picchu was the ultimate destination, I think the journey there was just as stunning!”

Destination: Peru. Photo Credit Michael Turtle

#6 Madagascar: Victoria Brewood – Pommie Travels

“Madagascar is incredibly photogenic- I couldn’t put my camera down. It was one of those places I knew nothing about and so I wanted to know everything about it. The landscape is so varied and unique, with terraced rice fields, deserted beaches, colourful towns and of course, the striking Baobab trees. Of course the stars of the show are the cute, fluffy lemurs that are endemic to the island! My best shot has to be the sunset at Avenue of the Baobabs, just as a local man was herding his cows across the road.”

Destination: Madagascar. Photo Credit Victoria Brewood

#7 The Phillipines: Sabrina Iovino – Just One Way Ticket

“I completely fell in love with Palawan in the Philippines. The Archipelago around El Nido is almost surreal: White sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and an underwater world that will take your breath away. A destination that truly looks like paradise.”

Destination: The Phillipines. Photo Credit Sabrina Iovino

#8 Ashland, Oregon: Geraldine DeRuiter – The Everywhereist

“One of my favorite places to photograph happens to be one of my favorite places, period: Ashland, Oregon. It’s a small town that sits very close to the Oregon-California border and is surrounded by hills. When my husband and I last visited, distant wildfires made the skies even more lovely than usual. I’m not a great photographer by any means, but it’s hard to take a bad picture when you have such a beautiful subject.”

Destination: Ashland, Oregon. Photo Credit Geraldine DeRuiter

#9 Uluru, Australia: Caz and Craig Makepeace, YTravelBlog

“It’s hard for us not to choose our current location, Uluru. It’s a dream to photograph because it’s such a striking and ethereal rock and the outback colours are just magnificent, especially now in the summer when the green of the surrounding landscape is most vibrant. And it changes from sunrise to sunset, giving you multiple perspectives to capture. We chose to end our 18 month road trip around Australia at this spiritual centre of our country. There really is something magical about Uluru.”

Destination: Uluru, Australia. Photo Credit Caz and Craig Makepeace

#10 New England, USA: Mike Richard, Vagabondish

“New England is home to the most beautiful fall foliage in the U.S. While Vermont and New Hampshire get most of the love from out-of-town “leaf peepers” each year, Massachusetts is just as beautiful and far less touristy. On a very overcast day, this idyllic rural scene taken near Amherst really caught my eye. The colors were so vibrant!”

Destination: New England, USA. Photo by Mike Richard

#11 Scenic Rim Trail, Australia: Phoebe Lee – Little Grey Box

“I reconnected with myself and nature while hiking the Scenic Rim Trail, a 4 day hike through mountains, ridges, escarpments, forests and volcanic plateaus in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Australia. Every step of the trail was another opportunity to capture something beautiful. On the second morning I woke up to watch the sunrise from my tent and it was one of those moments where you feel the magic of nature and life all around you, to this day the images from that trip are some of my favourite photographs and when I look at them I’m transported back there.”

Destination: Scenic Rim Trail, Australia. Photo Credit Phoebe Lee

#12 Marrakech, Morocco: Lisa – The Wandering Lens

“Eight years ago I flew into the red city of Marrakech and squished my face against the plane window in disbelief of what lay below. The snow covered peaks of the Atlas Mountains sat beside a dusty desert landscape dotted with camels and palms. On the ground that overwhelming feeling of culture shock mixed with excitement hit and my camera never left my side. To this day, Marrakech and it’s colourful labyrinth of alleyways and dramatic earthy terrain remains my favourite place to photograph.”

Destination: Marrakech, Morocco.

Thank you to the amazing travel bloggers who let their location secrets out of the bag for this post…go and take a peek at their blogs for loads of travel inspiration!

Think you’ve discovered somewhere that should be on this list? Let me know by sharing it in the comments below or use the hashtag #thewanderinglens on Instagram to share a photo.

If you’ve got a photography question or would like The Wandering Lens to photograph your destination get in touch via email at [email protected]

Hello! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens. With 17+yrs experience as a professional travel and landscape photographer, all advice found on this site is from my personal experience on the road. I hope it’s useful for your own travels and would love to hear in the comments about your trips and experiences around the world.

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Blog comments.

March 10, 2015 at 7:31 pm

Love this… Arghhh I want to visit Iceland soooo bad!

March 10, 2015 at 7:36 pm

Agree with New Zealand completely, the best place for a road trip!

Sarah Shumate

March 11, 2015 at 6:18 am

Fantastic round-up! #11 really resonates with me, both the photo and her description of it. What a beautiful place!

Caroline Makepeace

March 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

So many amazing places to photograph. Thank you so much for including us and the magical Uluru

March 12, 2015 at 2:42 am

All gorgeous destinations! Love this list!

Neysha Bauer

March 12, 2015 at 1:52 pm

These are amazing! I especially want to go to Morocco <3

March 13, 2015 at 10:08 pm

I couldn’t agree more with #2. As an expat now living and exploring Namibia, every corner of the country offers the most diverse landscapes and it truly is photogenic!

– Tracey http://www.journalofacitygirl.com

Marta Kulesza

March 14, 2015 at 12:03 pm

I am currently in New Zealand’s South Island and couldn’t agree more. ANywhere you look there is something worthy of photographing. I am surprised Patagonia hasn’t made it onto the list. It was one of my favorites places to photograph!

thewanderinglens

March 14, 2015 at 12:16 pm

It’s incredible isn’t it Marta!! Are you road tripping around? It took me ages just to go a few kilometers because of all the photo stops! Patagonia is definitely on the bucket list…especially Torres del Paine, did you get to photograph there?

james @theglobewanderers

March 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm

Fantastic Photographs! If you enjoyed photographing Marrakech then you would love Chefchaouen. Its beautifully unique. Look forward to reading more of your posts.

Dubai City Tour Packages

June 14, 2015 at 4:07 pm

Your Pictures are really beautiful. I love the way you caught the light. Thanks for sharing and keep posting

June 18, 2015 at 10:22 pm

Thanks so much!

June 15, 2015 at 12:31 pm

Definitely the South Island New Zealand!! And yes, the Arabian desert too!

May 6, 2016 at 8:21 pm

Great list of destinations with beautiful photos to match! My favourite places to photograph were Banff, Canada, all of Italy and Antarctica- which is truly a photographers dream!

January 24, 2020 at 9:13 pm

All places are very beatiful and i plan to go for Madagascar very soon….

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15 dream destinations for travel photography

By Lianne Chin-Fook

Published on May 19, 2020 | 7 min

Wanderlust is REAL. Right now, we’re all thinking of where we want to travel to next. If your inner travel bug is going through some serious withdrawal, why not start planning your next trip around the epic travel photos you’ll capture? With so many places in the world to explore and photograph – from the epic Northern Lights to jaw-dropping Petra – it’s tough to know where to start. Here, we’ve rounded up 15 of the dream destinations for travel photography so you can snap happy for a very long time!

15. The skies in Iceland

Get ready to go chasing waterfalls. This country is full of amazing landscapes for travel photographers. During the day, spend time exploring Iceland’s diverse landscape. From active volcanos to geysers, black beaches and fjords, you’ll have plenty to explore with your camera lens. At night this dream travel photography destination comes alive with clear views of the stunning stars splayed across the sky. If you plan your trip from September-March, you may even be able to experience the Northern Lights.

Image source: Photo: Jonatan Pie / Unsplash

14. The Grand Canyon, USA

If you’re looking for some gorgeous landscapes to shoot, the Grand Canyon National Park shouldn’t be missed. The fiery-red rock and undulating terrain across the national park will make it feel like you’re shooting Mars. The deep canyons allow you to test your photography skills with perspective. It’s a great way to play with light and colour in your shots. Some key areas of the park include towering sandstones in Monument Valley and narrow channels of Antelope Canyon.

Image source: Photo: Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

13. The temples and beaches in Thailand

There are plenty of travel photography opps in beautiful Thailand! Capture the culture of Thailand by visiting Buddhist temples like Wat Arun. Head into the city for Thai night markets to see how the locals live. If you’re feeling beachy, visit any of the Thai islands to capture those white sand and turquoise waters shots. The limestone cliffs around Krabi will also add something extra to your beach photos – include a long tail boat and you’ll master that iconic Thai shot.

Image source: Contiki

Southern Adventure

12. The streets of Marrakesh, Morocco

This colourful country is a must-do travel destination for any shutterbug. But the city of Marrakesh is one of the best spots for travel photography – it’s full of energy, spices and beautiful architecture. In the city, you’ll find souk markets and endless mosaic doorways. Some of the best travel photography spots further afield include Atlas Mountains, the Sahara deserts and the Jardin de Majorelle. If you have some extra time, head outside the city to Chefchaouen to discover buildings full of beautiful blue hues.

Image source: Photo: Mari Potter / Unsplash

Join us on a Virtual Contiki Tour to Thailand

11. The pagodas and forests in Kyoto, Japan

Japan has done a great job a preserving their traditional culture in Kyoto. In the heart of the city, you’ll find so many photo opportunities. Think Japanese castles, pagodas and temples. North of the city, you’ll find the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. Although the bamboo can be quite dense, use the natural light in your photos to capture the serenity of the area.

Image source: Photo: Sorasak / Unsplash

10. The wildlife in South Africa

Spend some time exploring Table Mountain and Cape Town’s coastal scenery. What makes South Africa stand out on this list is its opportunity for wildlife photography. Go on an African safari to capture amazing photos of lions, giraffes and elephants. The flat landscape in the area makes it easy to see Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

9. The canals of Venice & Burano, Italy

The canals of Venice make this city one of the most photogenic spots in the world. Expect to find something interesting to shoot at every turn. The architecture, gondolas and reflections on the water make it worth the trip. To avoid the crowds, wake up early to capture some of the key tourist areas on camera. And if you have some extra time, head to nearby Burano. Famous for its colourful buildings, this island has quickly become a must-do on every travel photographer’s list.

Cape, Safari and Falls

8. Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Lake Tekapo is any landscape photographer’s dream destination. During the day, play with reflections and perspectives of the landscape’s mountains and lakes. Once the sunsets, get ready for some amazing night photography. Defined as a dark sky reserve, this area is protected from artificial light pollution, making it a great astrophotography spot. Not only will you be stargazing, you’ll see the night sky come to life, all through your camera lens.

Image source: Photo: Tobias Keller / Unsplash

7. The streets of Paris, France

The architecture in Paris makes the city a street photographer’s dream travel destination. Let your camera lead the way because Paris is a city you can easily get lost in. Play with perspective near the streets of the Arc de Triomphe. Wander from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and capture photos of the locals along the way. You’ll end up discovering why so many people fall deeply in love with the City of Lights.

Image source: Photo: Andrea Maschio / Unsplash

6. The mountains and deserts in Peru

There are loads of reasons why Peru is the ultimate travel photography destination. From the Andes Mountains to the deserts of Huacachina, there’s so much for your camera lens to take in. Capture iconic locations like Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. And don’t forget to snap some photos of llamas and alpacas in the Sacred Valley. Remember to dress appropriately when shooting in Peru because the weather can vary quite drastically. If you find it a bit chilly, support a local shop by buying an alpaca sweater (or two).

Image source: Photo: McKayla Crump / Unsplash

16 of the best free things to do in Paris

5. The colours of Guatemala

Adventure awaits in Guatemala! Full of colour, epic hikes and jungles, this destination is  dreamy. You’ll find hidden Mayan ruins, active volcanos and breathtaking lakes. One of the most beautiful spots to photograph in Guatemala is Lake Atitlán. Made from the massive volcanic crater and surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains and three active volcanos, this body of water connects to several indigenous villages that are yours to discover.

The ultimate guide to hiking Machu Picchu

4. The wonders of Jordan

Attracting tourists from all over the world, Jordan is home to one of the seven wonders of the world, Petra . These stunning canyons carved into an ancient temple are definitely a sight to see and shoot. But don’t forget to visit everything else that Jordan has to offer to capture some amazing travel photos. Travel through the stunning desert landscapes of Wadi Rum or float freely in the Dead Sea. There’s so much to see and do in this beautiful dream travel photography destination.

Image source: Photo: Andrea Leopardi / Unsplash

Guatemala is still one of the most underrated Latin countries, and we just don’t get it

3. The tea plantations of Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka is a true dream travel photography destination. For anyone travelling to Sri Lanka , the spectacular views in Ella overlook a large gap in the southern mountain wall. Hop on a train and travel through the Sri Lankan countryside to see the sliding hills full of verdant tea plantations and forests.

Image source: Photo: Jaromír Kavan / Unsplash

2. The wilderness of Tasmania, Australia

Head to the land down under for some unbelievably wild shots. Visit the white sandy beaches, orange granite rocks and crystal waters in the Bay of Fires conservation area or hike up the mountains near in Wineglass Bay to take some aerial photography. Other areas to explore the wilderness are the Tasman Peninsula, Mount Wellington and Cradle Mountain. You’ll find so much to shoot in Tasmania that you may need to put aside an extra week (or two) to capture it all.

Image source: Photo: Spencer Chow / Unsplash

Pure Sri Lanka

1. The lakes of Canada

Spend some time exploring and shooting the great outdoors in Canada. The Rocky Mountains in British Columbia and Alberta will absolutely take your breath away. Drive through Banff National Park and visit some of the major lakes like Moraine Lake and Lake Louise to discover turquoise glacial waters, mountains and tons of wildlife.

Image source: Photo: Brandon Jean / Unsplash

The 21 best places to visit in Australia

If you’re planning to take photos, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make the most out of your trip. It’s always good to ask before shooting. Watch out for signs that say, “no photography”. After you have permission, get to know the locals and understand their story because it’s the best way to understand their everyday life that you considered picture worthy. Show them your work and move along because there’s so many more dream travel photography destinations that await.

14 beautiful lakes in Canada you really need to visit

30 best things to do in north america before you’re 35, 22 best things to do in iceland.

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Inspiration 20 Travel Photographers You Should Know

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” – Steve McCurry

Intrepid and visionary, photographers have long ventured forth to document their journeys and capture the essence of the places they explore. In celebration of our 2023 Travel Photography Award , (open for entries until the end of August) we’ve curated a list of 20 photographers, past and present, whose inspiring images embody the unique allure of travel.

1. Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry , the esteemed judge of our current Travel Award , is a globally-renowned figure in the world of photography. His remarkable oeuvre encompasses some of the most iconic images of our time and showcases the awe-inspiring beauty and cultural diversity of our planet.

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University, after which he worked as a staff photographer for the local newspaper Today’s Post . However, driven by his passion for travel and photography, he embarked on a journey to India, a country that would become synonymous with his name due to the stunning images he captured throughout his career. It was this inaugural trip that sparked the epiphanic realization, “if you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view”, setting the foundation for a remarkable career and some truly captivating images encompassing every corner of the globe.

2. Inge Morath

One of the most influential photographers in the history of the medium, Inge Morath travelled extensively throughout her career, forming close relationships with the places she visited through her absolute immersion in the local culture. The remarkable images she captured, display her wonderful artistry and serve as fascinating mementos of their time, whilst demonstrating the profound potential of color photography long before it gained widespread acceptance.

3. Michael Yamashita

Few photographers convey the sheer joy of travel like Michael Yamashita . Over the past three decades, he has embarked on a journey around the world, capturing breathtaking images of its landscapes and people.

Though, throughout his career, Yamashita has photographed on six different continents, it is his work in Asia that has become particularly renowned. With an Asian Studies major from Wesleyan University and Japanese heritage, Yamashita has become an expert in the region and has photographed extensively in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India, capturing images that articulately convey the cultural diversity and stunning beauty of this fascinating continent.

4. Denis Dailleux

Though he has photographed various locations, Denis Dailleux is inseparably linked to Egypt , a country with which he has had a long and complex love affair, that has engendered some truly stunning imagery. His images convey a deep understanding of the Egyptian people and their culture, capturing their humanity and resilience.

He first visited the country in 1992, to join his Egyptian lover whom he had met in Paris a year earlier, and immediately fell in love with the country, captivated by its beguiling beauty and the warmth and generosity of its people.

He spent the next three decades visiting the country (before eventually, living there for several years), capturing its unique essence with love, tenderness, profound respect, and a masterful eye for form, light, and color.

5. Martine Franck

One of the finest practitioners of her time, and, like her husband Henri Cartier-Bresson, a major proponent of the humanist style, Martine Franck spent much of her life traversing the globe, capturing utterly compelling depictions of everyday life with remarkable grace and artistry. Her subjects and locations were as diverse as Tibetan temples, and industrial Northern English towns, whilst she also photographed her homeland extensively, notably in 1976, when she and four female compatriots, were commissioned by La Fondation Nationale de la Photographie to document their countrymen and women on vacation, during which she captured her now iconic photograph ‘Swimming Pool Designed by Alain Capeilleres, La Brusc’.

6. Alex Webb

“Most of my projects seem to start as exploratory journeys with no visible end in sight.” — Alex Webb

Renowned photojournalist, and judge of our 2020 Street Photography Award (alongside his wife and fellow photographer Rebecca Norris-Webb) Alex Webb is a master of capturing the decisive moment, rendering images filled with energy and movement that communicate brilliantly the atmosphere of the scene.⁠ ⁠ While he has photographed extensively in his homeland, Webb is best known for his vibrant and dynamic work in Latin America and the Caribbean. His images capture the region’s unique atmosphere, rich colors, and intricate details, offering a captivating glimpse into this part of the world.⁠

7. Maggie Steber

One of the finest photographers of her generation, Maggie Steber has dedicated her life to documenting some of the most important stories of our time, a mission that has taken her to some 70 countries, and encompassed everything from the African slave trade to natural disasters. Forthright and rooted in compassion, her images, which have graced the pages of many of the world’s most important publications including, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and The Guardian, cut to the heart of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.

8. Frédéric Lagrange

Frédéric Lagrange is a French-born photographer whose breathtaking imagery showcases the dramatic beauty and cultural diversity of our world. Over the last decade and a half, he has traveled extensively, visiting approximately 100 countries across almost every continent, focusing particularly on secluded shores and remote areas, such as the wild and rugged Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan. His stunning images, which have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New Yorker (among others) evoke a sense of intrepidity and solidify his position as one of today’s most talented travel photographers.

9. Sebastião Salgado

One of the medium’s most masterful living practitioners, Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his powerful monochromatic images that tell the human stories behind some of the most important issues of our age.

During the course of his near-five decade-long career, he has traversed the globe, capturing extraordinary images, though it is perhaps his depictions of his homeland for which he is best known. In 1986, he travelled to the notorious Serra Pelada gold mine, to photograph some of the 50,000 workers who worked in terrible conditions. His most recent project, the landmark, Amazonia a series of stunning images of the landscapes and people of the world’s largest rainforest captured during a series of trips over the course of six years, is one of his most impressive, communicating the dramatic beauty, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heterogeneity of what the photographer calls “paradise on earth”, and thus highlighting the importance of its conservation at what is a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change.

10. Pia Riverola

One of the best-known travel photographs of recent years, Pia Riverola , is renowned for her dreamy, pastel-hued renderings, which flawlessly capture the very essence of their subject matter.

Whether it’s vibrant flower markets in Mexico City, neon-lit and rain-drenched streets in Tokyo , or the lush landscapes of South American jungles, Riverola ‘s photographs exude a nostalgic and dream-like quality, displaying her masterful understanding of light and inducing a powerful sense of wanderlust.

11. Bruno Barbey

One of the finest photographers of our time, Moroccan-born, French photographer Bruno Barbey, has spent the last five decades travelling the world capturing powerful images that display his unique artistic voice and intrepidity. Over the years he has photographed in Brazil, China, India, his homeland France, and Morrocco, his birthplace, returning on numerous occasions to capture stunning, color-rich images that convey the unique essence of the country.

12. Jimmy Nelson

Judge of our recent Portrait Award , Jimmy Nelson, has dedicated the last ten years to documenting indigenous cultures around the world, which face increasing threats to their traditions and ways of life.

Nelson ‘s adventurous spirit was ignited during his childhood through his father’s work as an exploratory geologist. His first major project involved an epic journey on foot across Tibet in 1987, while seven years later, he documented the newly-opened People’s Republic of China in his acclaimed project “Literary Portraits of China,” which was exhibited in Tiananmen Square before touring globally.

However, it was his subsequent travels around the world to photograph remote cultures using a traditional 50-year-old plate camera, that laid the foundation for the project for which he is best known. “Before They Pass Away”, comprises stunning portraits of 35 different indigenous communities across the globe, capturing their unique traditions and practices in the face of globalization and industrialization.

13. Jim Richardson

Though born in the US, Richardson is immensely proud of his Celtic roots and has spent much of his career focusing on Ireland and Scotland. The latter has been a particularly prominent subject, his fascination with the wild landscapes of the Scottish highlands and the remote islands off its western coastline, engendering a wealth of captivating landscape images that articulate its unique, rugged beauty.

14. Matthieu Paley

French-born Matthieu Paley is one of the finest contemporary travel photographers, whose practice focuses on remote areas, and those communities that call them home.

Working on assignments for National Geographic and other leading publications, he has captured profoundly fascinating photo essays on hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, Greenland’s Inuit and Afghanistan’s Kyrgyz nomads (which he did over the course of a decade), leading to a number of notable awards, including a 2017 World Press Photo award for his portrayal of a Uighur woman in western China.

15. Brooke Holm

The 2nd Prize Winner of our 2018 Color Award for her breathtaking depiction of an Icelandic landscape, Australian-American artist Brooke Holm is one of the most exciting emerging proponents of travel photography. Inspired by satellite imagery and therefore, captured almost invariably from above, her depictions of some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery are akin to paintings. Rich in color, texture and form, they offer a divergence from conventional viewpoints, showing the natural world at scale, in an attempt to subvert traditional anthropocentric narratives and advocate for coexistence with our environment and its inhabitants.

16. Galen Rowell

Equal parts adventurer and photographer, Galen Rowell spent the majority of his extraordinary life traversing some of the world’s most lofty areas, and capturing stunning landscape images that convey the beauty of the subject.

Throughout his career, Rowell undertook assignments for prestigious publications like LIFE and National Geographic, fearlessly venturing into remote and unforgiving locations, capturing them with unmatched artistry that still resonates today. His work not only showcased the natural wonders of these landscapes but also left a profound impact on the field of photography, inspiring generations of landscape photographers and ensuring his legacy lives on through his work.

17. Ami Vitale

Considered one of the most important conservation photographers of her generation, Ami Vitale has spent her career travelling the globe, traversing more than 100 countries and capturing stunning images that illuminates the often-overlooked heroes and communities whose efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world are truly inspiring. A Nikon Ambassador and regular contributor to National Geographic, Vitale has received numerous awards and commendations over the years, among them a Lucie Humanitarian Award and numerous World Press Photo prizes, which stand as a testament to her dedication and talent in her field. 

18. Jody MacDonald

Few can rival Jody MacDonald when it comes to intrepidity. The award-winning adventurer and photographer has visited over 100 countries and spent a decade travelling the globe on a 60-foot catamaran, on an expedition to uncover the most remote and untamed corners of the planet. Working on assignment for National Geographic and other leading publications, or commercial projects for the likes of Patagonia and Red Bull, MacDonald has photographed some of the harshest and most difficult-to-reach corners of the earth – from the Sahara to the Himalayas – capturing stunning images that communicate the wild beauty of our world.

19. Evelyn Hofer

Few, if any photographers in history captured the essence of cites in the manner of Evelyn Hofer , the enigmatic German-born photographer who, throughout her impressive career, travelled the world photographing its landscapes and people with rarely-matched grace and artistry.

Whether it was Dublin, Paris, Florence, or the cities of her adopted homeland, the United States, Hofer’s photographs capture the essence of the subject. Underpinned by a masterful understanding of form, light, and color, today they stand as timeless testaments to her artistic vision and her ability to reveal the profound beauty that exists within the tapestry of our world.

20. René Burri

All images © their respective owners

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5 Best Places For Photography Around The World + 15 Bonus Places!

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for the best places for photography around the world then your search ends here.

By the time you’ve finished reading this article you will know exactly where your next photography trip is going to take you.

I’m already getting itchy feet just thinking about these places.

What to look for in photography locations?

Choosing the best countries for photography comes down to two things.

• Photography potential (locations, weather etc…)
• Accessibility (how easy it is to travel to, accommodation etc…)

These are the two things I evaluated when choosing which places made it into this article.

Photography potential

The old saying goes something like “a beautiful scene doesn’t necessarily make a beautiful photo”.

Which is true.

Just because the view from the top of a mountain is breathtaking, if it doesn’t have any main subject or focal point it will probably be difficult to compose a compelling image.

The same goes for the weather.

The weather changes throughout the year, obviously, so it will determine if a place is worth visiting for photography. The blue, cloudless skies you get during the summer months are a landscape photographer’s worst nightmare.

Great for a beach holiday, not so much for a photography trip.

Accessibility

Want to shoot astrophotography in one of the most remote places in the world where light pollution is kept at a healthy 0?

Then the Pitcairn Islands far out in the South Pacific would be ideal. But is the 32-hour journey on a supply ship from the nearest mainland worth it?

Likewise, is sleeping in a tent due to the lack of accommodation in the wilds of New Zealand’s South Island going to deter you from visiting?

Maybe. Maybe not.

So, I’m going to weigh these two things up and give you a rating for each of the places on this list.

These are 5 of the world’s best places for photography

The world we live in harbours some absolutely stunning locations that any photographer would be lucky to visit.

Here are just a few.

The Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a part of Denmark, but the people of the Faroe Islands govern themselves.

They are effectively huge lumps of volcanic rock that rise up out of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The rugged landscape and dramatic weather have firmly placed these islands at the top of this best places for photography list.

The Faroe Islands are quickly becoming one of the  top choice holiday destinations for photographers. They’re full of amazing landscape photography locations .

Many say that the Faroe Islands are the ‘new Iceland’.

Recently they have started to become a more popular destination for all kinds of tourists but are still, for the most part, unspoilt.

The weather is the most challenging aspect of photographing the Faroe Islands. Often it’s overcast, grey and dull but it’s this weather that gives images taken there a very distinctive look and feel. A look that is unmistakably Faroese.

Where to stay in the Faroe Islands

There isn’t a great deal of accommodation in the Faroe Islands. And what there is often isn’t available or is pretty expensive.

Gróthusið is a small, cosy lodge that is very reasonably priced compared to other places in the area. Its unique black stone structure complements the surrounding landscape.

It’s a small lodge that’s great for two people.

The Faroe Islands’ overall rating

Photography Potential : 9/10

Accessibility : 6/10

Provence, France

Good food, good wine and great scenery, Provence in France is simply sublime.

France is the land of beauty and romance. So it’s no shock that the country oozes perfect picture postcard scenes just waiting to be shot.

Especially in the region of Provence.

The region produces a lot of lavender which is often grown in fields belonging to old monasteries . They grow the lavender in perfectly straight lines and it blooms in June, July and August.

The results are spectacular.

The endless rows of lavender are the main attraction for photographers. It’s something you can’t photograph anywhere else in the world.

Where to stay in Provence

Chambres entre Ventoux et Luberon is a guest house located in a commune which is home to a number of the famous lavender fields.

The house’s wooden beams are distinctly French and they add to its charming style.

The guest house gives you the opportunity to submerge yourself in the French countryside and be on-site for those early morning photoshoots.

It’s also less than 60km to the nearest airport.

Provence’s overall rating

Photography Potential : 7/10

Accessibility : 9/10

Patagonia, Argentina/Chile

Patagonia is home to some of the world’s most impressive landscapes. So, of course, the South American region made it onto this list.

Spread across two countries , Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is famous for its rugged mountain ranges and sprawling glaciers. It’s one of those  places photographers should visit at least once in their lifetime.

If you love hiking through the mountains and love photography, then you should seriously consider visiting Patagonia.

It truly is a bucket list location for all photographers.

There are some established tours that will take you around all of the main locations so if you want an expert guide, be sure to check them out.

Where to stay in Patagonia

Patagonia is huge and it stretches over two countries so it’s hard to give just one recommendation. But I’ll leave a few places below that really stand out in terms of value for money and location.

Rancho Grande is a social hostel perfectly located within 10km of some of Patagonia’s most popular photography locations. Laguna Capri, Laguna Torre, Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres are all under 10km away.

Hotel Michelangelo is a modern hotel that is equipped with all the necessities to make your stay comfortable and relaxing after a day spent hiking and shooting photography.

Hostería y Apart Hotel Amigo del Mundo is a great option for anyone on a budget. The rooms are super affordable and are located in the centre of El Calafate.

Patagonia’s overall rating

Photography Potential : 10/10

Accessibility : 7/10

South Island, New Zealand

Ok, so just saying New Zealand’s South Island is quite vague.

After all, it’s pretty much half of a whole country.

But the South Island is full of too many amazing photography locations to choose just one.

The popular thing to do, amongst non-photographers and photographers alike, is to rent either a car or a motorhome and set off on a road trip. That way you’ll be able to see the sights found off the beaten path.

The South Island is full of lakes, mountains and pristine nature. It’s what landscape photographers dream about.

Where to stay in New Zealand’s South Island

Rendezvous Hotel Christchurch is centrally located the centre of the South Island’s biggest city, Christchurch. It’s great value for money and a convenient starting point for exploring the South Island further.

Mt Lyford Lodge is a really cosy wooden lodge with big fireplaces where they burn logs during winter. Its position at the base of Mt. Lyford, surrounded by nature, means you’re guaranteed a peaceful nights sleep.

Rannoch Lodge a quaint homestay in the sleepy town of Mataura, perfect for getting away from the crowds and photographing some beautiful nature.

New Zealand’s South Island overall rating

Canyonlands national park, usa.

When you think of the best national parks for photography in the United States people tend to think of places like Zion ,  Bryce Canyon or Grand Canyon National Park.

But one of the most spectacular national parks is the pockmarked and desert-like Canyonlands National Park.

Canyonlands is hands-down one of the best places for landscape photography in the US. The best thing you can do is make sure you pack a telephoto lens to reach across its vast landscape and pick out some of the finer details.

Getting around is obviously a challenge, especially if you’re not familiar with the park. So I highly recommend you check out some of the great organised tours that are available .

Where to stay in Canyonlands National Park

The most convenient place to stay when visiting Canyonlands National Park is in Moab.

There are some really interesting options but Rustic Inn is a perfect balance between price and comfort. It’s convenient for anyone who is road tripping to Canyonlands National Park.

Canyonlands National Park overall rating

15 bonus places that are also great for photography, banff national park, canada.

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and endless mountains. How could you not want to visit Banff?

Isle of Skye, Scotland

A beautiful island off the coast of Scotland . The Isle of Skye truly is one of the best places for dramatic landscape photography, not only in the UK but in the entire world.

The Dolomites, Italy

Mountains that stretch for miles in all directions? Yes please.

Barcelona, Spain

Cityscape photographers and lovers of unique architecture eat your heart out.

Mt. Fuji, Japan

You might think Mt. Fuji is a one-trick pony. But the imposing volcano towers over the town below which gives you so many angles to play with.

Peak District, England

If you don’t mind braving the rain and the cold, then the Peak District is one of England’s top photography locations. Rolling hills, lakes and grand vistas are everywhere.

Lake Baikal, Russia

In the middle of winter the lake totally freezes over. It’s during these months that you can really get creative with composition using the cracks in the ice.

Zion National Park, USA

Another day, another stunning national park in the USA.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a street and urban photography playground. Be sure to pack extra SD cards, your shutter finger is going to get a good workout here.

London, England

Where history and future collide. London is full of possibilities to get your creative juices flowing.

New York City, USA

Another cityscape Mecca. NYC hasn’t become one of Hollywood’s favourite sets for no reason. The city is full of cinematic potential.

Kelingking Beach, Indonesia

An Instagram favourite, but are you surprised? Kelingking Beach is one of the top photoshoot locations in Indonesia.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

They say never work with children or animals. Well, when in Tanzania you can disregard at least 50% of that rule. Here you’ll get a chance to shoot the wildlife like nowhere else in the world.

Lofoten, Norway

One of the top landscapes to photograph in the world. The Lofoten Archipelago in Norway, with its picturesque villages made up of distinctive red houses, is just begging to be photographed.

Havana, Cuba

Think bright colour, old cars, environmental portraits. Of course that’s Havana. The last place on this list is special for so many reasons.

How to find great nearby photography locations for yourself

If you can’t visit one of the places on this list right now, there are a couple of ways to find amazing places to shoot photography near where you are right now.

Using Instagram

Use Instagram to find great places for shooting photography by searching for either the locations of places nearby or the hashtag of places nearby.

You’ll see what other photographers have been shooting in those locations. One very important thing to remember though is NOT to copy anyone.

This method should be used for confirming places have potential and for getting inspired. Don’t simply copy images you see on Insta. After all, where’s the fun and creativity in that?

Using Google maps 3D view

This method is best used if you’re looking for landscape photography locations.

If you go to Google maps and search for a place nearby that you think may have potential and change it to satellite view, you’ll get a great idea of the land’s topography. From there, look for the highest points (tops of hills, mountains etc…).

Once you think you’ve found a good viewpoint, put the map into 3D mode and, from a horizontal angle, you should be able to confirm whether you do in fact get a good view from that point.

If you’re lucky, there will be a road or path leading to that point on the map. If there is, pat yourself on the back. You just found a spot that’s worth scouting out in real life.

Out of the places I’ve listed, which is your favourite?

Do you prefer the dry, desert-like conditions of Canyonlands National Park? Or the picturesque French countryside?

Or maybe you have a different idea of what makes the best vacation spot for photographers?

Whichever it is, I want to hear about it in the comments below.

And after you’ve done that, check out our  top 10 national parks for photography in Europe for more travel inspiration.

I’m a professional travel photographer, and I’ve been living the digital nomad lifestyle since 2016. I make money by working on client assignments, selling stock photography and helping other photographers by sharing my experiences on this website. I move around at my own pace (I hate fast-paced travel) and like to spend a few months getting to know each place I base myself in.

My writing and photos have been featured on industry leading websites such as Digital Photography School , Atlas Obscura and the world’s leading underwater photography resource The Underwater Photography Guide . I authored an eBook called “ Breaking Into Travel Photography: The complete guide to carving out a career in travel photography ” that has been published on Amazon. My stock images have also appeared in ads promoting destinations and companies that sometimes has been a surprise, even to me. But I guess that’s the nature of stock photography, you never know who will license them!

I’m always happy to connect, so feel free to reach out!

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25 Brilliant Tips For Travel Photography

Let me guess: you love travel, but while you want to enjoy your holidays and make the most of the beautiful destination , you’re also a keen photographer and want to capture stunning images that you can look back on and share with your family and friends.

Contents (click to view)

That’s why you’re looking for tips for travel photography. But travel photography is hard! What gear should you take? How do you know where to go and when to go there? What about the weather? Photographing strangers is scary! Places are often crowded! There are so many questions and challenges that it can be quite intimidating to even start.

But as they say, a journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step. And you’ve taken that first step by coming here to read my easy travel photography tips for beginners. Hopefully all this advice will help inspire you to get your camera out and start improving your travel photography so you can create beautiful images of your holidays to enjoy for years to come.

Tips for Travel Photography: Planning

1/ do your research.

The best travel photography starts before you even leave home. To make the most of every destination , you first need to do your research. Look up the places you’re going to on Pinterest, Instagram, or your favourite travel blogs, find out where are the best places to go and the best time of day to go there, and get helpful advice on what gear to take. You can also search for images that inspire you and make a list of the sorts of themes and angles you’d like to get. That way, when you’re at the location, you won’t be wasting your precious holiday time searching for the right spot.

2/ Know your camera

Another thing you need to make sure you do before leaving home is getting to know your camera. I rarely read instruction manuals, but when I buy a new camera, reading the manual is the first thing I do. Modern cameras are packed with amazing functions to help you take stunning images, so if you just stick yours on auto and hope for the best, you’re missing a great opportunity to get the most out of it.

If you’re a beginner travel photographer you don’t necessarily need to start learning all the manual settings, but even taking advantage of some of the different modes your camera offers – such as sports, nighttime or portrait – will really help take your travel photography to the next level.

Read more: The Rewards Of Visiting Uganda’s Batwa Tribe

3/ Travel as light as you possibly can

Don’t weigh yourself down with endless lenses, bodies, tripods and other paraphernalia. Yes it’s great to have lots of gear to choose from, but especially when you’re a beginner the key to great travel photography is freedom and flexibility. If you’re lugging a heavy backpack full of stuff, chances are most of it will end up staying in the bag, or by the time you’ve rummaged through it to find the thing you want the moment will have been lost.

This image was taken on Day 5 of climbing Kilimanjaro with a little Fuji X100T compact I bought specifically so I wouldn’t have to lug a DSLR up the mountain. I’m sure I got more and better shots with this because I could have it in my hand so it was ready to go every time I saw something interesting.

Read more: Climbing The 8 Days Lemosho Route On Kilimanjaro

4/ Bring the camera you have, and always have it with you

The old tip, ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’ is absolutely true. There’s no point splurging on a fancy camera if it’s so heavy you end up leaving it in the hotel. I love my Canon 5D Mark IV , but I have to admit it’s very bulky and heavy and there are lots of occasions when it’s not sensible or appropriate to bring it.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve ended up just using my phone because it’s quick and convenient – and you can take great travel photos with a smartphone! As a beginner, the number one best way you can improve your travel photography is by always having your camera close to hand so that when you spot that perfect moment, you’re ready to grab it.

Read more: An Unhelpful Guide To… Aztec Ruins In Mexico

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: On Location

5/ prioritise your photography.

You may get lucky and spot a golden opportunity for the perfect photo, but if you’re really keen on taking the best travel images you can, you’re going to need to carve out time in your trip for photography. That’s what’s going to make the difference between a nice holiday snap and a professional-quality travel photograph.

When I’m travelling, I often plan mornings or afternoons just to explore a place with my camera; for me it’s a great way to really get to the heart of an area and spot things I’d never normally notice if I was just walking round as a tourist.

Read more: Stunning Photography on the Streets of Cuba

6/ Get up early and stay out late

The best times to prioritise for travel photography are around sunrise and sunset. Not only will you get the nicest light – the hours just before and just after dawn and dusk (known as blue hour and golden hour) will give you the prettiest light and the most interesting skies, but you’ll also avoid the crowds and be more likely to get those gloriously empty images of your destination that you see on all the travel websites. Yes, it can be tough to drag yourself out of bed that early, but I promise you it’s worth it!

I took this image of our campsite in the Sahara Desert, Morocco , at blue hour, just after sunset, while the rest of my tour group were drinking wine round the campfire. I don’t regret it for a second, and of course I joined them as soon as I was done!

7/ React to the moment

While it’s great to have a plan, sometimes it’s even better to just chuck that plan out of the window and go with the flow. So you’ve arrived somewhere and it’s really crowded? The weather is bad? That famous landmark you came to see is covered with scaffolding? Then you’ll need to adapt.

Travel photography is all about seeing what’s in front of you and capturing the spirit of the place, and if that spirit isn’t what you were expecting, just roll with it. When I was in India I found everywhere was really crowded, so instead of trying to take photos of landmarks (arguably quite boring anyway), I decided to capture the other people taking selfies and came back with some much more characterful travel images as a result.

Read more: India: a Nation of Selfie-Lovers

8/ Set yourself a challenge

It can be all too easy to wander aimlessly with your camera, taking pot shots at random things and not really getting anything good. At times like these I find it’s really helpful to set myself a project. It might be to get ten really great photos of traders in a market, or to focus on doors, street dogs, or graffiti.

You could force yourself to shoot everything without using your zoom or set yourself a travel photography scavenger hunt with a list of 10 or 20 different things you want to capture that sum up the destination for you. Doing this will really force you to think about your photography and help you bring back much better images than if you just fire off your shutter at whatever happens to be in front of you.

In Trinidad, Cuba I spent about three hours wandering around just taking photos of people in doorways; this is one of my favourites.

9/ Abandon your tour group…

If you’re taking a tour or travelling with a group, travel photography can be extra challenging. Getting stunning images takes time and patience, and if you’re always being told to keep up, or you’re worried about getting lost, that can really limit what you can achieve.

So wherever possible, I find the best solution to this is to ditch the group and do my own thing.  If you plan to do this, make sure you tell the guide so they’re not looking for you, get their number in case you do get lost, agree a time and place to meet later, and if you can, grab a friend for company and safety. I also always try to be one of the last back on the bus – not late, of course, so I’m delaying everyone, but not early either, so I’m not sitting in a half empty bus when I could still be out exploring.

In Chefchaouen, Morocco , I left the group and wandered off by myself to find interesting corners like this one.

10/ … but mine your guide for information

Taking a tour – even if it’s just a day trip or a guided visit to a site – does offer up one huge advantage for travel photography: local knowledge! Your guide should know all the best places to go, the key things to photograph, and the best times to go there. I always let the guide know that travel photography is my passion, and they will often give great advice and sometimes even adjust the itinerary to make sure I get extra opportunities to take amazing photos of the destination.

In Inle Lake, Myanmar we had a free day, and by chatting with the guide I learned it was possible to hire a private boat and go out on the lake before sunrise, which is how I got images like this one.

Read more: The Beautiful Leg-Rowing Inle Lake Fishermen, Myanmar

11/ Get lost on purpose

Sometimes the best images I’ve taken have been the unexpected ones, when you wander down a side street and discover a slice of local life that the guidebooks would never know about. If you stick to the beaten paths and follow the usual tourist trails, mostly what you will see is other tourists and the country’s polished public face.

It’s only when you dip a little behind the scenes that you find the really interesting stuff, the bits that haven’t already been photographed a million times. So be bold. Wander curiously and see where it takes you – and when you’ve had enough just ask for directions or let Google maps guide you back.

Tips for Travel Photography: Composition

12 / use the rule of thirds.

If you’re a beginner travel photographer you may already be familiar with this concept. The rule of thirds states that if you imagine your image divided up into thirds horizontally and vertically, the most visually-pleasing composition is one where the subject of the image sits on one of the third lines. This draws the eye in and makes for a much more satisfying image than if you put the subject dead centre or too far off to one edge. It really works and it’s one of the easiest ways to make a huge difference to your photography in a single step.

In the image below, you can see the horizon sits nicely on the bottom third line, and the church tower and window are on the left third line.

Of course the rule of thirds is really a guideline more than a rule. Feel free to break it if you want to! If you scroll through the images in this post you’ll notice that the majority of them do follow the rule – but not all of them!

13/ Include people

While you probably want to avoid massive crowds of tourists, it’s a really great idea to try to capture individuals in your travel photos. Including a person can add a sense of scale to a beautiful landscape or give a focal point to wide shot of a landmark.

A street with a few traditionally-dressed locals walking through will always capture the essence of a destination more completely than an empty road, while a charming portrait of a local character always makes for an engaging image. So rather than waiting for people to walk OUT of your shots, why not think about waiting for them to walk IN?

Read more: 25 Spectacular Places To Visit For Travel Photography

14/ Be patient

The best travel photographs rarely happen in an instant. Yes, it only takes a fraction of a second to click the shutter, but to get to that point you need not only planning, but also patience. Quite often I find I can see the potential shot, but the reality is not quite right. The sun needs to come out from behind a cloud, or I need the right sort of person to walk through the shot, or I want the market trader to hand over the money or the tourist to get out of the way.

Often I can be waiting for ages for the thing to happen; sometimes I lose patience and give up, but other times the farmer I’ve got my camera trained on looks up and laughs and it’s totally worth the wait.

Read more: Taking Portraits in Myanmar (Burma)

15/ Think about what’s in the background

A common mistake that many beginner travel photographers make is that they’re so focussed on the subject of their image that they fail to notice what’s going on in the background. Is there a tree growing out of your subject’s head? Did a tourist just wander into the back of the shot? Is there a parked car or pile of rubbish spoiling the view?

When composing your image, ask yourself, ‘what is this photo actually OF?’ and then try to exclude anything that distracts from that, either by reframing, moving your position, moving the subject (if you can!) or waiting until the annoying person in the back of shot has moved away.

In this image of the Falkland Islands I chose to include the people as I wanted to show the juxtaposition of the group and the albatross colony, but if I’d wanted this to just be a photo of the colony I’d have needed to move or zoom in.

16/ Move your feet

Most modern cameras have huge zooms which allow you to get a variety of different shot sizes from a single standing point. But if you stay stuck in one place, you may be missing out on a better view of your subject just to one side. So don’t get too attached to one spot: get closer, get further away, find a vantage point… you might just stumble across something unexpected. And as an added bonus: photography is great for your daily step count!

While the rest of my group were all standing together over to the left, I explored a bit further round to the side and was able to get a much better angle on this chimpanzee.

Read more: Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda: A Breathtaking Wildlife Adventure

17/ Don’t copy Instagram

While it’s great to use Instagram for background research, once you’ve seen what’s out there try to think outside the box and do your own thing. No travel photographer ever won an award by taking the exact same picture as everyone else, and no one wants to look at hundreds of identical photos of the same place.

How many photos have you seen of a girl in a big hat with her back to the camera looking at a view? It’s so unoriginal! See what everyone else is doing, sure, but then use it as inspiration and move forward.

18/ Take the obvious shot, then take a better one

Each time you take a picture, instead of just taking one, take two. First, the standard one from the conventional viewpoint, and then do something different. Zoom in, crouch down, move closer, walk round the side, wait for someone to walk into the frame, look for a different vantage point, find some way to make your image a little bit less ordinary. This will set you apart from the masses and give you unique, more eye-catching images.

This first photo of the Duomo in Orvieto, Italy , is perfectly nice, but don’t you think the second one is far more interesting?

Read more: 30 Beautiful Pictures Of Guatemala And The Stories Behind Them

Traveller Photography: Best Practice

19/ be culturally aware.

There are many places in the world where photography is frowned upon. Some sites ban it, in other places local people just don’t like being constantly papped by passing tourists. Sadly with the rise of social media this is becoming more and more common, and it’s certainly something I’ve found frustrating in the past, but as a responsible traveller it’s your job to respect the locals and their customs.

So if you find yourself in a place where it’s not permitted or appropriate to take photos, don’t do it. Simply enjoy being in the moment and focus on making memories instead.

Read more: Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

20/ Ask permission

It’s not necessary (and it would be impossible) to ask permission from every man or woman in the street before you take a photo, but if you want to take a close up of an individual it’s a good idea to get their consent first. Doing this shows respect and gives that person the chance to decide whether they want to be photographed or not. Don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, a simple smile and a gesture towards your camera is universally understood.

Sometimes, however, you may not want to interrupt the moment as this can often cause the person to stop what they were doing and ruin the shot. In this case you’ll need to make a decision. If you’re far enough away and can quickly take the photo without offending them, do that. If you want to get closer, the best strategy is to ask permission, take one or two photos, walk away a little and wait for them to forget about you and go back to what they were doing, then come back and get the shot you originally wanted.

21/ Be safe

Of course it should go without saying that while following all of these tips, it’s important to be sensible. Don’t go off alone if you’re not sure you’ll be able to find your way back. Don’t wander into a dodgy part of town with a big expensive camera hanging round your neck.

Make sure your money is secure and your backpack pockets are properly zipped and your passport is in the safe in your hotel so that someone can’t pickpocket you while you’re busy focussing on other things.

Watch where you’re putting your feet so you don’t fall off a cliff or step in front of a car. If possible, have someone with you so you can keep an eye on each other. Photography is enormous fun, but that fun will come to a swift end if you get robbed or worse, and no image is worth putting yourself in danger for.

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Technicalities

22/ bring enough memory and batteries.

You’ve spent all that money to go all that way, so the last thing you want is to miss out on bringing home some fantastic images just because you didn’t bring enough memory! Make sure you’ve got your charger, at least one spare battery and a big enough memory card or two. Imagine how annoyed you’d be if you spotted something astonishing and then couldn’t capture it because your card was full or your battery died!

23/ Backup backup

Whether you can do this depends on where you’re going and how light you plan to travel, but I never go away for more than a few days without taking a laptop and hard drives with me. At the end of every day I download the photos and back them up on two drives which I store separately, so that if ever my camera or a drive gets lost or broken, I won’t lose all my images.

This image of a penguin colony in Antarctica was just one of several thousand that I took. Losing them all would have been a disaster so I backed up my photos every day.

24/ Learn some basic photo editing

If you really want to take your travel photography to the next level, you need to learn a little photo editing . No professional travel photograph you will ever see has come straight out of the camera; they have all been tweaked at least a bit.

I’m not talking about hours of colour correcting and photoshopping here, and if you’re a beginner I’m not suggesting you pay for pro editing software (at least for now, though you may want to later on), but there are plenty of free tools out there (including the one that probably came with your camera) that will allow you to make a few simple improvements. Things like cropping, levelling a wonky horizon, or adjusting white balance or exposure, are just small corrections that can really help to make each image just that little bit better.

25/ Practise at home

And finally – yes, it’s all about practice. No one ever got good at anything overnight, but if you’re passionate and you want to learn, you WILL get better! Why not try taking your camera out round your local area, for example? Practice street photography in your own town or shoot landscapes in your nearest bit of countryside. That way when you’ve splurged your savings on that trip of a lifetime, you won’t mess it up!

Further travel photography reading

Looking for more tips for travel photography? Why not try some of these:

• 19 Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners
• 13 Top Tips For Photographing Markets
• How To Take Great Photos Of The Northern Lights

70+ Stunning South Georgia Photography Tips

• Photography on the streets of Cuba

Liked this travel photography tips post?

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Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

Further Reading...

South Bohemia: The Gorgeous Czech Republic Region You Need To Visit

Semuc Champey Guatemala: All You Need To Know Before You Go

My Camera Equipment List: What’s In My Gear Bag?

An antarctica clothing list: what to pack.

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21 TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS (Easy Ways to Improve Today)

• Last Updated: February 8, 2024

Here are our best travel photography tips for beginners and intermediates, based on our experience of going from complete beginners to professional travel photographers, and now working in the industry for 8 years.

Picture this.

You finally book a trip to your ultimate bucket list destination.

Antarctica, Iceland, Namibia, Bali, seeing the Aurora Borealis – wherever it is, you’ve waited your whole life to finally visit.

Naturally you are going to want to capture the best travel photos possible of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure to share with your portrfriends and family members, on social media, and maybe even print on the wall at home.

Moments in time or a travel experience that you always want to cherish.

So you’ve splashed out on a new camera based on expert recommendations , and you’re keen to hit the road.

But here’s the problem – you don’t have the faintest idea how to get the same kinds of images you see in postcards or on the internet.

The kinds of travel photos that just pop, stand out from the rest, inspire you to book a flight immediately.

Luckily that’s where we come in.

We’ve been fortunate enough to work as professional travel photographers for almost a decade now, being paid to fly around the world, running photography workshops, take pictures for the tourism industry and tell stories.

And now we want to share our knowledge, secrets and insights from our travel photography journey with you so you can take better travel photos.

In this post you’ll find many of our favourite travel photography tips you need to know to come home with shots you will be proud to show off.

Today is the time to learn. Let’s begin.

Table of Contents

1) Know Your Camera

2) focus on the golden and blue hours, 3) plan your shots, 4) learn about composition, 5) framing, framing and more framing, 6) move your feet, make them feel comfortable, 8) use a tripod, 9) find the right travel photography gear, 10) be unique, 11) find your voice as a photographer, 13) aperture, 15) shutter speed, 17) bonus – general ideas for camera equipment settings, 18) use manual mode, 19) shoot in raw (if available), 20) learn about post processing, save this pin for later, general travel photography tips for beginners.

To start with let me talk about the general travel photography tips that I feel are not only the most important, but also the most difficult to master.

Developing an eye for photography takes time. Years in fact. It’s a never-ending learning process, but I promise you with practice you will get much better.

And once you start to get the skills for framing and composing a shot, the rest is easy.

Whether you shoot on a dSLR, mirrorless, smartphone or an old film unit, the first travel photography tip is to get to know your camera equipment.

Whatever you have in your camera bag , take the time to read the instructions, play around with all the buttons and camera settings, and spend hours with it in your hand so that it becomes a part of you.

Study the menu so that if you need to change camera settings in the field you’re not spending minutes scrolling through it when timing is critical.

Also don’t forget to learn your camera’s limitations.

Does it perform well in low-light or does the image fall apart? Is it sharp wide open, or do you need to stop down to get the best clarity? Does it have inbuilt image stabilisation?

Ultimately when you pick up your camera you want to feel comfortable and know exactly how it works. Then getting better pictures will come faster and easier.

Light is everything when it comes to travel photography images, and there’s a good chance you’ve already heard about the golden and blue hours.

The Golden Hour is that time when the sun is low in the sky and it throws a magical, warm glow across the scene.

Think the first hour after the sun peaks in the morning, and the last hour or two before the sun drops over the horizon in the afternoon.

The Blue Hour is when the sun is below the horizon and the sky gives off a beautiful blue hue.

If you really want better travel photos, one of the best travel photography tips we can give is to get used to waking up early and stay out late to make the most of these two times of day.

If you’re not a morning person, get used to setting an alarm. Many of the great travel photos of the Taj Mahal and other tourist sites with no one in them for example were taken by people who got there early.

Taking photos in the middle of the day can still result in great shots, but in general you’ll find the blue sky too blown out unless there are some interesting clouds, and on a sunny day you’ll find the lighting conditions can be a bit harsh.

Instead use the middle of the day to get street photography, or scout out photo locations and a vantage point for your sunrise and sunset photos to come back later.

Bonus Tip – Even if it looks like the sunrise or sunset might not be so beautiful, wait around. You never know when the clouds might break or the sky randomly lights up in brilliant colours.

Before you arrive in your tourist destinations, spend a few hours planning out your shot list of images you want to photograph.

You can get inspiration from Instagram, Google Maps, travel guides, magazines and more.

Make a note of these pictures, and then plan your day around the optimum time to shoot (sunrise or sunset for example).

Doing this will help you nail the shots you want to go, and give you more purpose and direction.

You need to know that all of the best photographers use tools like Google Maps or social media to form a shot list, and you should get used to it too.

You’ve probably heard about how important it is to compose a shot properly, and I bet if you’ve ever read a photography manual you would have come across the ‘ rule of thirds ‘.

Good composition can be the difference between an average shot and award-winning travel photos.

There’s all kinds of ‘rules’ that theoretically make a photo look nicer, such as not putting your subject in the middle of the shot, don’t cut elements out of the frame, etc.

But right now let’s go a bit into the Rule of Thirds.

This concept is where you divide your image into 9 even squares (many cameras actually have this grid line feature built into their display options).

Then what you do is you place the subjects and points of interest such as a human element along those lines and squares.

Here’s an example of how this looks:

The idea of the rule of thirds is that this is a mathematical idea of what our eyes naturally find pleasing. So it’s good practice to incorporate this method into your shots.

Another thing to look for is leading lines that naturally draw your eye around the photo, as well as different angles and shapes.

Have a river flowing from the side of the shot up to a waterfall on the top left for example, or the foreground bending around, leading the eye towards a church at the top of the photo.

This is a skill that you’ll learn with more practice.

An important thing to remember is that rules are meant to be broken .

Get used to analysing your shots with the rule of thirds, but please don’t use it as gospel if you think a different composition would work.

Adding a human element also brings a lot of interest to a good shot, so place people in your frame.

When you look through the viewfinder or LCD screen, don’t just focus on the subject.

Make sure you run your eyes around the entire frame to make sure you’re not accidentally cutting off something important.

Double-check that the top of a mountain is fully inside the frame, or that your friend’s whole body is in the shot as an example.

This isn’t gospel, because sometimes having something cut off from the frame can be good for composition, but you’ll have to be the judge of that.

Also check to see if you can use something natural in the scene to create a frame inside your picture.

Think of looking out a window at a building, or a bent-over tree surrounding a pretty lake.

These can all help make better travel photos.

This is one of the most important travel photography tips I can give – Move your feet.

Don’t just arrive to a scene and take a shot from the place you’re standing.

Instead take a few minutes to walk around and see if there is a better frame or composition.

Go closer, move back, step to the side, consider your lens’ focal length, etc.

Imagine trying to take that iconic Taj Mahal photo, only to find out later that you were 2m to the left of centre, throwing off that perfect symmetry.

Or maybe if you walk to the river’s edge you’ll be able to incorporate some interesting rocks into the scene instead of just water.

Better yet, take multiple travel photos and fill up those memory cards from the same photo locations so you have lots of options when you get home to see which is your favourite.

7) Ask People for Permission

Travel photography isn’t all about capturing the most beautiful sunsets and gorgeous architecture around the world.

Travel photography is also about the people you meet. But if you’re a bit shy like me, how do you get those amazing portrait photos without feeling rude?

Simple – just ask for permission.

Asking someone for permission to take their photo is polite and respectful.

If you have had a great encounter with someone, or you just see a great opportunity and want to capture a wonderful portrait, give them a big smile and ask if it’s ok to take their photo.

You’ll find many people are more than happy to pose for a photo if you just ask (just make sure you respect them if they say no).

But what if you want to get a candid shot, with the subject looking natural?

There’s always another way to get these without annoying the person.

Don’t make it obvious that you are taking their photo. Act natural and take lots of photos of the environment around them.

You can also keep your camera down by your side and point the lens in their direction.

If you have a zoom lens, use it. This was you can be on the other side of the street or market and still photograph the person.

Interested in learning more? Join one of our exclusive photography workshops in Antarctica, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan or Mongolia !

Another one of my favourite travel photography tips for portraits is to bring in another element to the shot.

Some people will feel uncomfortable posing for a stranger, but if you can make it about something else they will feel much more at ease.

As an example, maybe ask if they can pose with something in their store like a rug, or ask them to show you their wedding ring.

This way they’ll realise there is more to your photo than just them. This will also add a lot more interesting elements to the shot!

A tripod is one of the best camera accessories you can have in your camera bag, and really essential for travel photography.

This will allow you to get excellent shots in low light, as well as get creative with your images (like taking long exposures).

These days you don’t always need a massive tripod to travel around with, especially if you want to travel light and are a hobbyist photographer. Look at some of the Joby Gorillapods .

Another good thing about using a tripod is that it will force you to slow down with your photography and put more thought into each shot.

Rather than just pointing and shooting, you will think carefully about where you want to set up your tripod and how you want to compose your shot.

Honestly if you want to become a better travel photographer, you’ll need to invest in at least a small tripod.

You don’t need to go out and spend tens of thousands of dollars on new travel photography gear to get the best shots.

In fact chances are you already have a perfectly adequate camera right next to you (your phone).

Instead just get what you an afford, and as you grow with your photography style, post production, etc, you’ll learn what camera gear you need as well.

Things like filters, tripods, flashes, prime lenses, zoom lenses, etc will come in time.

For now, all you really need is a camera, memory card and enthusiasm!

Check out our recommendations for the best travel tripods .

There’s nothing wrong with getting those iconic shots of the Eiffel Tower or Machu Picchu to share on social media.

They’re beautiful and are often amazing camera angles of famous places that everyone wants to visit.

But don’t forget to be unique as well! Find a different perspective that hasn’t been photographed a million times.

In fact make it your goal to get a few unique shots that you can be proud of.

Over-expose, under-expose, incorporate motion blue – the only limitation is your imagination!

Just like a writer or musician finds a particular style they like, as a photographer you need to discover your ‘voice’.

Travel photography is such a broad term that can cover just about anything.

Really just taking any travel photos will fit the description, whether it is landscape photography, wildlife photography, architecture, portraits, food or whatever.

Just find a style you love most, and focus on getting better at it.

If you really like black and white photography, then start shooting in black and white! Love taking images of crazy street markets? Then get out there and find them!

Experiment, learn, discover and nurture!

Technical Travel Photography Tips

While the technical side of using a camera is usually the most overwhelming thing for a new photographer to think about, it’s actually one of the easiest things to master. All it takes is a bit of study and practice.

If you’ve never looked into getting out of ‘Auto mode’ on your camera, then terms like ISO, aperture, white balance and shutter speed will seem completely foreign.

READ MORE: Check out our great article and blog posts featuring our best landscape photography tips !

12) Exposure Triangle of Photography

The Exposure Triangle is a metaphor to explain the 3 elements that allow light onto a sensor.

A camera captures light, and the right amount is needed so that your image isn’t too bright or too dark.

The 3 parts of the Exposure Triangle are aperture, ISO and shutter.

Each one affects how light reaches the sensor in different ways, and getting this combination right is essential to capturing a beautiful image.

If you want more information, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to understanding the exposure triangle which you should really check out.

For now though I’ll explain these three things briefly, and how they relate to taking better travel photographs.

Aperture is how wide, or small, the blades in your lens are and how much light goes through the lens.

The aperture size is measured in ‘F Stops’, and displayed as numbers. f5.6, f8, f11, f16, etc

A wide aperture (small number – f1.8) lets in more light than a low aperture (big number – f22).

A wide aperture also has a shallowed depth of field than a low aperture. I know it can be a little confusing, but you’ll pick it up the more you play around with it.

If you want the background blurry in your photo, you’ll want a wide aperture. If you want everything in focus, you’ll want a low aperture.

ISO is how sensitive your camera sensor is to light. A small number, such as 100, means it’s not very sensitive and therefore needs more light to leave an impression.

A high number, like 6400, means it’s very sensitive and needs only a little bit of light to show up on the sensor.

The higher the ISO, the more noise shows up in a photo. Noise lowers the quality of your image, so in a perfect world you’ll want to keep this as low as possible (unless you’re going to stay out late doing astro and night photography ).

It’s also necessary to raise your ISO if you’re shooting moving subjects (or handheld) indoors.

Shutter speed is pretty straight forward – how long it takes for your shutter to open and close. This allows you to freeze a frame, or introduce motion blur.

Want to capture a bird in flight? You’ll want to have a fast shutter (1/4000th of a second for example).

Want to make a waterfall look silky smooth, like you see in so much Iceland photography? Go for slow shutter speeds (3 seconds for example), and check out our guide to waterfall photography tips while you’re at it!

Keep in mind that if you are holding your camera equipment rather than using a tripod, you’ll need to have a fast enough shutter to eliminate your own hand movement.

As a general rule 1/60 of a second is the slowest you should go so your picture doesn’t pick up hand movement. Any slower than that and you’ll probably need a tripod.

16) Combining All Three for Perfect Exposure

There is no ‘perfect setting’ for aperture, ISO and shutter. It all depends on what you are trying to photograph and the style you’re going for.

Luckily most decent digital cameras have two little tools that will let you play around figure out how all three work together – manual mode and histograms.

Manual gives you complete control over your camera’s ISO, aperture and shutter.

If you change one, nothing else will change, unlike in ‘aperture priority’ mode or ‘shutter priority’ mode.

The histogram is a visual display of light. When the bars are all the way to the left, the image is darker. When they are all the way to the right, the image is lighter.

When most of the bars are in the centre, this is perfectly exposed.

The best way to figure out what combinations work best when you’re a complete amateur is to put your camera on “manual” mode, activate the histogram, and play around with the settings.

Pick an aperture (f/8 for example) and point it at the scene. Now look at the histogram.

If the image is too dark, then you’ll need to let more light in. Let’s make the speed slower. See a change?

Now put the shutter back to where it was and instead change the ISO. Make the ISO higher. Is the image getting lighter?

Spend an hour or two playing around with different apertures, ISO and shutter so you get an idea of how each one affects the light hitting the display.

Take note at how drastically things can change if a cloud goes in front of the sun, or you take the camera inside.

This just comes with practice of course, and knowing what settings you want for a particular scene will become second nature

Keep in mind that not all travel photos needs to be perfectly exposed. Sometimes having a darker image looks much better than having one that is nice and bright. You can use your judgement for this.

This is very, very basic and by no means should be read as gospel. There are a million different things that can affect why you would want a faster shutter, or wider aperture. But if you are confused about what to pick for what here’s a quick idea.

• Landscapes – You’ll want your aperture around f8-f11. You’ll also want your ISO as low as possible. Slow down the shutter accordingly.
• Portraits – You’ll probably want to photograph your subject to be sharp, but the background blurry to bring focus on the person. Have a wider aperture (say f2.8 for example), and a faster shutter (around 1/160 at the absolute slowest) to freeze the subject. Adjust ISO accordingly.
• Indoors – Because it is darker inside than outside, you’ll need to let a lot more light into the sensor. Unless you’re using a tripod, keep the speed at around 1/60 as the slowest, and the aperture around f5.6 to start with. Adjust ISO and aperture accordingly.

Of course there’s a bunch of other styles of travel photography that would use different settings, such as astrophotography, architecture, street scenes photography, wildlife photography, etc.

In time you’ll learn what settings work best for each scene.

The best way to get to know your camera and how light works is to have complete control over what settings you choose.

The only way to do this is to shoot in manual mode (shown by the letter M on most cameras).

It will take months of practice, but I promise you that in time you’ll be able to look at a scene and instantly know what aperture, ISO and shutter to use to get the exact style of image you’re looking for.

You can also use aperture priority mode (the letter A on your camera) if you don’t want to make the big leap to manual just yet.

This way you can lock in the aperture you want (f8 for landscape photography, f2.8 for portraits, etc) and the camera will automatically adjust the ISO (although you can control this part too) and shutter to get perfect exposure.

I highly recommend focusing on learning manual settings though until you have it perfected.

When you take a photo on your digital camera, the computer chip inside it takes what you captured on the sensor and converts it into a format that can be easily read. For most cameras, these two formats are RAW and JPEG.

JPEG is a compressed format that the camera creates to save on space. In doing so it ‘locks in’ all the data that it picked up such as the colour and white balance.

RAW files actually saves all the data of what you took and doesn’t compress it.

Most decent digital cameras will give you the menu option of shooting in RAW, and I recommend you use it if you ever plan on editing your photos.

Keep in mind that the file sizes will be a lot bigger (for example on one of our cameras a RAW is 42, while a JPEG is just 20), so you’ll need to have extra memory cards and external hard drive storage.

If you have no plans on editing your photos then shoot in JPEG.

Some people think that editing your photo is ‘cheating’. But the truth is photographers have been editing their photos ever since photography was invented.

Yes, even your favourite photos in National Geographic have been manipulated in some way.

99% of photos you see in your favourite travel magazines have been edited. Every professional photographer edits their photos to some degree.

The reason is that not all cameras are great at capturing exactly what the eye saw in terms of colour and light.

If you really want to get the most out of your professional travel photography business, you should start playing around with post processing.

Many people have heard of Adobe Photoshop , but it’s a pretty advanced tool that most people wouldn’t ever need to use (until you get more experience).

To start with look at the free apps that you can get on your phone, such as Snapseed, or free editing programs on your computer, like iPhoto or GIMP.

Once you get serious about travel photography and you want to start editing all of your photos that are filling up your memory cards and external hard drive, we recommend purchasing Adobe Lightroom.

If you’re ready to make the jump to using Lightroom and Photoshop, Adobe have a great ‘Creative Cloud’ package, which is what we use for only $10 a month. You can buy it here with a 7-day free trial

21) Practice, Practice, Practice

Just like anything, becoming a great travel photographer takes time, and a lot of practice. The only way you can get better is by getting out there taking travel photos!

You don’t even have to travel the world to tourist destinations or have the most travel camera available to be a great photographer.

Borrow some family members to take their portraits, get a friend who is also interested in photography and push each other, or grab your smartphone and go shoot sunset.

Buy whatever you can afford, go for a walk around your city and snap away.

We hope that this general guide on travel photography tips for beginners has been helpful.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other questions. We have a lot of experience working with tourism boards, and would be happy to help you too.

Good luck on your photographic journey, and maybe we’ll see you in National Geographic one day!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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I indeed agree in Know your camera and Plan your shots. These tips would make a good start in achieving your socmed worthy travel shots. And ofcourse, the other tips will surely be useful too. Great post!

Good article but I need to say something about using Manual – it’s not that great. Manual is just a different mode of settings for exposure, little different from either shutter or aperture priority, except these two give you a leg up, to where you’re going anyway. At the end of the day whatever exposure setting you choose will be just a combination of the 3 on the ‘exposure triangle’. Instead of using manual try these other two in conjunction with exposure compensation, which overrides the exposure meter reading. You still need the meter for any exposure anyway, just not necessarily using the value it recommends. It amounts to the same thing, only easier, quicker, and still constraining one of the triangle sides that you want. I use manual for specific unusual objects, such as sun, moon, stars, but during general daytime subjects it’ll be very unusual to hamper yourself by not using the aid provided when there is no advantage.

Your blog has become my go-to source for insightful content.

Thank you so much. So glad to hear. 🙂

Before you go, research your destination and its culture. This will help you better understand the people, customs, and landscapes you’ll be photographing.

I benefited a lot from your post. Thank you

So glad you did. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

Thanks for sharing all this amazing tips & information. Fabulous post !

You are welcome. We are happy to help. Happy photographing

nice summary of basic photo tips that will improve my shots, thanx!

You are rocking..keep it up your work

Thank you so much. We really appreciate it.

Great article with great tips and i also like the pictures

Thank you so much Alesha and Jarryd for these amazing photography tips! I look forward to putting into practice some of your wonderful ideas and tips! I do so appreciate any tips that I can get to improve my photography. :)) Cheers, Marilyn

I absolutely loved this article! Like you I received my first ‘proper’ camera at 14 and since then have been hooked. I recently purchased a Nikon D750 and am absolutely loving it. Although at the moment I only have two lenses for it I am hoping to be able to afford more soon. What are your favourite lenses?

In my photography I love capturing candid portraits of people I encounter during my travels. I always struggle with the dilemma of getting the perfect candid shot and feeling compelled to ask permission before taking the shot. As a very shy person directing people in images is daunting, but it is something I am striving to work on. It’s nice to read that you are also shy yet manage to capture such incredible images of people.

As I am mostly self-taught, I always love to read technical tips to improve my images. I found the technical side of your post incredibly helpful and wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed post. I believe it really helps and inspires amateur photographers like myself.

Glad you liked the article. Thank you for your comment. Keep photographying Caitlyn 🙂

Great tips and awesome photos! I always tell people if they aren’t comfortable with their settings, the #1 way to make sure their images aren’t blurry is to shoot in TV/S (shutter) priority. That way you can prioritize having no hand shake.

Thank you so much. Great advice. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

Awesome tips for everyone and specially to me who loves capturing photos everytime i travel.This one also help me and give me more knowledge on how to make awesome photos and its good because you don’t need to buy expensive camera to have a good quality photos, just your iPhone or smartphone you can make a great photos.

Hi, you are so right. You can take great photos with your phone. Glad the article could help you.

Great article! Do you even bother carrying your camera with you during the day in broad sunlight? I find it’s not worth the hassle for such poor shooting conditions.

Hi Scott, It all depends what we are doing. If we are on a job, we always carry our cameras with us. The midday sun is harsh but you get used to working with it. Especially indoors with the sun coming through the cracks, it can work out really lovely sometimes. When we are travelling on our own time, we don’t usually carry the camera. Happy travels

I really enjoyed reading this post, as I am a beginner in photography as well and it’s always interesting to see what gear other people are using!

I have the Canon Rebel as well, and also love the 50mm lens. It’s just great and is so versatile!

Thanks for sharing.

Glad we could help. Thank you for your comment. Happy photographing,

Great tips guys! Photography is an art so it must be learned properly. A good guide can teach art in a great way. This article is similar to a guide because it is an eye-opener for blooming photographers and travel lovers.

Thank you so much!

Thank you for your comment Glorias. Glad the article could help.

Hello Alesha and Jarryd, not sure to whom I adresse the message to, but I’m guessing Jarryd took the pictures and Alesha wrote about it :p

Anyway, do you guys use any customized Firmware on your DSLR? like the CHDK or Magic Lantern. That’s one question, the other one will be: can’t find any Mobile Phone photography on your blog? can you please refer me to any article that provide valuable info around Mobile phone photography?

Hi Ayoub, The photos and words in the article are a combination of both of us. Usually Alesha is the photographer and Jarryd is the writer.

We use use no customise firmware at all. We haven’t ventured this way as it voids our warranty.

As for phone photography, maybe this is an article we should write. With our phone photos, we do use Snapseed to edit them. But do not take any photos through any apps. All the best

Thank you for the tip regarding phone photography, I mostly use the customized firmware to do timelaps and edit directly on the camera, keep me posted after publishing the new article. (Already subscribed to the weekly newsletter)

Definitely will do. Thank you so much. Happy photographing. 🙂

you are doing a great job

Thank you so much. 🙂

This was really an amazing list of tips, I am a hobbyist photographer and this would really helps me a lot

Glad we could help. Keep up the photographing. 🙂

Great tips Alesha and Jarred. I really liked your golden and blue hours tip. Will try it soon and hope get amazing pics 🙂

Glad we could help. Practise will get you on the right track and before you know it you will be taking amazing shots. We are still learning about photography everyday. We love that you can never stop learning. Thanks Linda.

Some of the best tips I have read so far. Amazing post and captures so much detail. Worth the read for every travel photographer. 🙂 Keep it up.

Thank you so much,. We really appreciate it. 🙂

Priceless tips for amateurs like me. Thanks for sharing. For a long while, I’ve tried to follow the rule of thirds, but the best shots came out when I finally dared to break it. You’re absolutely right about the rules are meant to be broken. Regarding the camera, I agree it doesn’t have to be the most expensive. But sometimes I have a feeling my shots would have been better had I owned a proper camera. What device is the best balance between price and quality?

HI Robin, you’re welcome. We are so happy we could help. Sometimes breaking the rules works out to be better. 🙂 We definitely know what you mean. You do not need to buy the most experience camera. A camera that you can use manual settings, is great as you can start using and playing with aperture, shutter speed and ISO. We started off with a Sony RX100ii and it was great. Compact and a great camera to learn. Here is some articles that may help. https://www.nomadasaurus.com/best-camera-for-travel-ultimate-photography-series/ https://www.nomadasaurus.com/best-camera-accessories-ultimate-photography-series/

Thanks a lot for the great advise! I especially like your explanations about the exposure triangle. I was a bit aware of it before, but never played around with it unless I wanted to change the depth of field (and even then, I did this very rarely). But thanks to focusing more on it, I am starting to get the hang of it. I have taken some very good hummingbird pictures, for example, which never would have been possible if I hadn’t raised the ISO so I can keep the shutter speed fast. Those birds zip around like crazy!

Also, I think one of the most important pieces of advise, and the one I’m struggling with most, is to always look at the whole frame. I am guilty of looking at the main subject and later finding out that I cut off important things on the side or that something weird is in the photo that shouldn’t have been there.

Hi Ilona, so happy the article could help you. That’s amazing you experiment with your hummingbird shots. They are fast birds. By practising photography, you will get better and better. No matter how experienced you are, there are always things to learn. When you come to a scene you want to photograph, stop for a minute look around, walk around and think about what shots you want to take. Obviously this is hard when the subject is moving but great for landscape and street photography. All the best and keep up the awesome work. 🙂

Hi, I took around 500 shots on a trip to Kyrgyzstan recently, some I think are pretty good, but now after reading your tips, I think I will make another trip to that part of the world again soon!

what a great tips especially the lighting part – i also agree that getting up earlier and shooting in the natural sunlight is so great for your photos. talking to the locals and knowing your camera, You guys covered it all

Thank you so much for reading Shama. Glad you liked our article. Natural lighting is the best. Even though sometimes that early morning is hard it is worth it. 🙂

u are absolutely right u don’t need an expensive camera or go to Bali ( although it’s a good idea) to get great photos. it’s just simple common sense and a good eye and you can master photography

Well said. Thank you for your comment and reading Shama. Have a great week.

Thanks a lot for the helpful tips on holiday photos. My partner and I are in Easter Island, irresistible place for photo opportunity. My Nikon D7000 will keep on taking photos on auto mode for the time being until I have had enough practice following your guidelines and the who knows what photos I might produce! Thanks.

Glad we could help Balu. Definitely when you have time, go out and take some photos on manual. Play with the different settings. Before you know it, you’ll only be on manual. At the beginning when I was still learning, I would take a shot on the manual settings I thought and then a shot of the same view on auto in case I messed up. Better safe than sorry. Have a great time in Easter Island. There is so much to do there and learning about the history is amazing. Take care. Alesha

Guys your advice are completely helped me. I was stressed before, i want to travelling at the moment but i hope i can take a good picture cause you know how annoying it will be when we take a picture and then when we are home they are completely bad. So then you have to comeback at the same place again just to take a picture. But this one is helpfull

Hi Fabio, Don’t stress. You are going to bring back amazing photos from your travels. It is all overwhelming at the beginning but it gets easy. When you are shooting, put some time aside and concentrate on what you have learned. It doesn’t matter if it takes you 20 minutes to an hour to get your shot. If their are other photographers around, most of the time that are happy to give you some advice. Let them know you are new. Maybe they will let you know their settings for ISO, aperture and shutter. When it comes to editing, take your time as well. There are many You Tube videos that can help you for free. Have a great time on your trip. Happy travels

Hey Guys, very useful tips especially the Bonus tips.

Keep Sharing!!!

Glad we could help. Thanks for reading.

P(Program) you set either the aperture or shutter and the camera adjusts the other one accordingly to maintain the right exposure. Thanks

Thanks Rezan

I love traveling around the world. I wish to capture some of the beautiful places that I enjoyed. The above tips helped me to improve my travel photography skills. It also helped me to click some of the memorable moments of my travel with my friends and relatives.

Hi Vivek, Glad we could help. It is all about practise. We love having a day to ourselves and just getting out and shooting anything – landscape, cityscape, people or animals. We try to give ourselves a challenge sometimes. It makes it interesting and we are enjoying ourselves. 🙂

Great tips to help out beginners like me. I need to work on to ask people for permission as I get shy sometimes. I love the quote “rules are meant to be broken”!

Thank you Mao. Don’t worry, “asking” will come. Alesha was so shy and I used to take all the people shots. Now she is more confident and really enjoys shooting people. All the best.

THANK YOU . Your very easy to read starter guide to photography was AMAZEBALLS I learnt so much .cheers LIZY

Thank you. Glad we could help. Happy shooting and get creative. 🙂

Hey guys, this is an amazing guide, thanks for writing this up in such detail. As an amateur, I always look for good travel photography tips from other travellers. I left my tripod behind in Thailand and I think this was a huge mistake, I need to get a new one, urgently 🙂

By the way, really enjoy your photos on your blog and Instagram, they are amazing! 🙂

Glad we could help guys. We never used to use a tripod in our early years until we discovered how amazing the shots can be with one in low light and now we have 3. You can rest your camera on something to get a shot but you are limited to positions. Thanks for reading guys. 🙂

thanks for the tips. i’d make one edit: instead of ‘move your feet’ i’d say “don’t be lazy”…move left or right. move forward or back. climb up on something or get down on your knees.

Love it Aaron. You are so right. A little to the left might be the perfect shot or a little to the right and crouching might be the perfect shot. thanks for the input. Have a good one.

I love this post. It is incredibly helpful to all beginner travel photographers like myself! I have only been shooting in manual mode for the past 5 months and have already seen a huge increase in the quality of my photos! But I am always looking to improve. Will definitely be sharing your post

It is crazy how you improve when you start shooting manual. I know Alesha did also. You learn so much about the camera and what it can do, it is incredible. Thank you for reading and all the best with your photography Hayley. 🙂

this guide is amazing, thank you so much for explaining everything in a way an amateur can understand 🙂

Bookmarking the post for future reference!

Cheers, Naddya

Thank you guys. We are glad it is useful for you. 🙂

Wow! Amazing Tips. These tips will help a lot to click great pictures with your camera. Love the point of Shutter Speed. and about RAW.

Thanks for Sharing Helpful Post.

Thank you so much Nitin. Glad we can help. Thank you for reading.

Yeah I agree with you buddy.

Thank you 🙂

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31 Most Famous Travel Photographers to Follow in 2024

Want to know the best travel photographers to follow on Instagram? Get inspired by these 31 incredible travel photography accounts!

Famous Photographers | Learn | By Jeff Collier

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You’re about to discover 31 of the best travel photographers on Instagram in 2024.

I’ll introduce you to award-winning travel photographers who fly around the world in search of the most incredible photos.

I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions related to travel photographers in general.

You’ll find a ton of inspiration for your own travel photography in this guide.

You should also check out our related guides:

• Most famous photographers in the world
• Most famous celebrity photographers
• Most famous street photographers
• Most famous fashion photographers
• Most famous underwater photographers

Table of Contents

Who Are The Most Famous Travel Photographers in 2024?

Chris burkard.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ChrisBurkard (@chrisburkard)

Burkard is a self-taught photographer who has truly mastered the art of taking breathtaking landscapes and action-filled portraits.

• What is the Best Camera for Travel Photography?

Lauren Bath

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lauren Bath | Australia (@laurenepbath)

Her Instagram feed showcases her unique perspective in highly saturated landscapes and atmospheric wildlife photography .

She also gives you behind-the-scenes photography insights into how she goes about capturing her travel photos.

Joshua Cripps

@joshuacrippsphotography

Joshua Cripps is a well-known American photographer , international speaker, and tour leader. His epic landscapes are somehow able to capture the feeling of being there yourself.

Melissa Hie

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ❤️ Mel’s Food & Travel log (@girleatworld)

This concept allows her to share tiny moments from around the world in fun and unique ways.

• Read more: What hashtags get the most attention on Instagram?

Lucy Rose Laucht

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lucy Rose Laucht (@lucylaucht)

As a Leica ambassador, her passion and dedication to her craft shows up in every image, from beach scene to cityscape.

Even now, when most people take photographs with their phones, there’s still a lot to learn from film photography where every shot is precious.

• Best travel camera for blogging

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam Horine (@samhorine)

His Instagram account features life around him, with images from the city and the natural wonders his day job brings him to document.

Chase Guttman

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chase Guttman (@chaseguttman)

He uses a drone to shoot amazing landscape photography in a different light, and he finds beauty in the repeating patterns you can see from above.

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• What is the best lens for travel photography?

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gab Scanu | Travel • Photography (@gabscanu)

His duo-toned landscape shots are framed with a manmade element that helps the viewer focus on the natural beauty of the outdoors and be reminded of man’s interaction with it.

Glenn Lee Robinson

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Adventure Enthusiasts (@adventurenthusiasts)

From snowy mountains in Yosemite to a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe, his photos highlight the sheer beauty of California’s national parks and forests.

Senai Senna

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Senna Relax (@sennarelax)

In the meantime, I like to look at his tagged locations for travel inspiration and where I want to go next.

Lisa Michele Burns

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lisa Michele Burns (@the_wanderinglens)

The pastel colors of sunset and the misty aura of waterfalls and ocean spray fill her feed with calming energy.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gary Arndt (@everythingeverywhere)

While he doesn’t post new images often, his reputation as a three-time Travel Photographer of the Year means that every post or reel is a must-see.

• Who are the 33 most famous architecture photographers?

Manuel Dietrich

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Manuel Dietrich | Germany 🇩🇪 | Travel | Hiking (@manueldietrichphotography)

Dietrich’s Instagram grid showcases his teal-orange-green style in a way that’s deeply inspiring. Instead of applying a filter to any photograph, he makes sure his subject fits into his style.

Laurence and Jessica Norah

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Laurence Norah (@lozula)

As full-time photography bloggers, they share their expertise in planning trips and documenting them.

Their Instagram feed is an approachable portfolio of experiences that almost anyone can learn from and emulate on their next big trip.

Colby Brown

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Colby Brown (@colbybrownphotography)

One feature of Brown’s photograph descriptions is the camera settings or equipment he uses. For most shots, he lets you know which lens and body he used, which is helpful when you’re ready for an upgrade.

Richard Bernabe

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Richard Bernabe (@bernabephoto)

His adventure photos from around the world move people to think about conserving the natural environment that he is so good at capturing.

• Read more: How do I start adventure photography?

Alex Strohl

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alex Strohl (@alexstrohl)

His Instagram feed is more like a collection of mini blog posts behind the scenes of taking and producing images that you can share with the world.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sam (@sam.vox)

Don’t miss out on Vox’s reels which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the day’s work. Some photos are taken with a small point-and-shoot which proves that the best camera is the one that you have with you.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Art Wolfe (@artwolfe)

His extensive archive of Instagram images showcases why he’s known as a master of color, composition and perspective.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bob Krist (@bobkristphoto)

Because of his experience, his Instagram travel photographs have a range of styles and subjects that I – and many others – look to for inspiration.

Timothy Allen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Timothy Allen (@timothy_allen)

Paul Nicklen

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen)

Nicklen’s skill in composing his photos is something I study before going on a trip and again before I edit my shots. His use of framing and composition takes his photos from snapshots to masterpieces.

Michael Yamashita

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Michael Yamashita (@yamashitaphoto)

His books, workshops, and lectures help him share his passion for historic explorers and the landscapes that they would have seen in ancient times.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Yosigo (@yosigo_yosigo)

Whether it’s a trip to the beach or an abandoned parking garage, he has the ability to portray the modern world in a fresh light.

Navaneeth Unnikrishnan

View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Navaneeth Unnikrishnan (@navaneeth_unnikrishnan)

Ami Vitale is a renowned photographer who has travelled to over 100 countries and published a book showing pandas being released into the wild.

Lola Akinmade Åkerström

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by PhotoShelter (@photoshelter)

Jord Hammond

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by JORD | TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY (@jordhammond)

Eric Rubens

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Eric Rubens 🌅 Travel & Photography (@ericrubens)

Though the colors in his landscapes must be highly edited, his skill in knowing what to highlight and when to stop makes his dreamy seascapes something special.

• Read more: Who are the most famous landscape photographers?

Elia Locardi

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Elia Locardi (@elialocardi)

From a once-in-a-lifetime photo of the Northern Lights to a series of shots documenting the city’s skyline, he knows how to draw you into his world.

Matjaž Krivic

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Matjaz Krivic Photography (@krivicmatjaz)

The emotion of the trip is evident in every shot, which he shares on his Instagram feed.

FAQs about Travel Photographers

What is considered as a travel photographer?

Anyone who uses a camera to document the world and showcase what makes a location unique. Instagram travel photographers may have a defined vision or may take inspiration from an area’s landscape, food, people and history.

Is it hard to be a travel photographer?

It takes dedication, and it can be hard at times. My favorite photographers are skilled with both a camera and a computer, and they work almost as hard at marketing themselves and teaching others as they do in capturing the perfect picture.

Are travel photographers in demand?

Yes! The travel industry is not slowing down, which means that the demand for new photographs and videos of exciting locations around the world is still high.

Does travel photography pay well?

Instagram travel photographers may be paid by brand sponsorships and marketing agencies for the trips they take. They can make money selling prints of their work directly online or through galleries . Many even guide trips and have online classes teaching others how to recreate their style.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

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Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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30 Most Influential Travel Photographers to Follow in 2024

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Who doesn’t love traveling, visiting new places, and going on adventures? And who wouldn’t want to capture these memories and look back at them later?

If you want photography inspiration during your journeys, this article is just for you! We have collected 30 of the most influential travel photographers from across Instagram.

Believe us… they are worth following! Their work and unique style might give you some ideas next time you travel.

What Is Travel Photography?

Simply put, travel photography captures adventures and locations you visit during your journeys.

This photography niche involves so many different genres. A travel photographer must also know landscape, architecture, street, and environmental photography.

Travel and adventure photography often involves storytelling . And it focuses on capturing special moments and atmospheres.

There are many different approaches to travel photography. You can focus on people, take self-portraits , emphasize landscapes, or dive into aerial photography . Mixing these approaches can result in a unique style and, over time, get you professional recognition as a travel photographer.

30 Most Influential Travel Photographers to Follow

Let’s take a look at the work of these amazing travel photographers!

1. Frauke Hameister

This German photographer captures stunning landscapes and adventures. This is mostly when he’s surrounded by mountains and cliffs. Frauke does an excellent job at visualizing stories through her images.

Her style revolves around cold colors and a foggy atmosphere . She mostly includes herself in her photos, giving her work an extra personal touch.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Frauki – made in Germany 🌊 (@frauki)

2. Robert King

From wildlife to landscapes and night photos , Robert King is exceptional in several areas of photography. But first and foremost, he travels around the world and captures the unique views in front of him.

His passion for traveling shines through his photographs. His compositions are top-notch, often created with an extra touch of drone perspective .

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Robert King 📸 (@king_roberto)

3. Pedro Quintela

Pedro is a true visual artist. His photos look as if they were paintings. He takes advantage of gorgeously colorful skies and landscapes all around the world. His way of using a central composition proves that this technique is definitely not as cliché as some think.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Pedro Quintela | Visual Artist (@pedro_quintela_images)

4. Adam Desjardins

Snowy mountains, exotic islands, and vibrant cities. Nothing stops Adam when he arrives with his camera.

He uses a unique perspective to capture his traveling adventures. Adam mostly uses a wide-angle lens to include all his surroundings. He also likes to shoot from a bird’s-eye view , often including himself in his travel photography.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Adam Desjardins (@_adamdesjardins)

5. Chris Henry

Chris is an American photographer who visits places like Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Italy. He loves to shoot wildlife, getting unbelievably close to his models.

He uses a certain photography style for every country he visits, making each photo series unique and distinguishable. He also owns his own streetwear brand, where the designs are based on his photography.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Chris Henry (@chrishenry)

6. Morten Munthe

Morten is a photographer from Norway, mainly taking photos of his own country’s treasures. He has a consistent style of dark, contrasty, and moody photographs.

He likes to include people in his photos, turning landscapes into lifestyle portraits . Not only that, but he also captures wildlife when he gets the chance.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Morten Munthe (@morten_munthe)

7. Luke Stackpoole

This English photographer perfectly combines landscape and travel photography. Wherever he travels, he tries to take a photo of the hidden gems of the place.

Tiny houses, forest trails, and local animals are all common subjects of Luke’s photography. He prefers northern locations like Iceland, Scotland, or Greenland.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Luke Stackpoole (@withluke)

8. Marcel Siebert

Marcel does an excellent job at depicting what’s best in each season. He likes to include as much detail in his photos as possible. He often uses props that symbolize the current season (such as pumpkins during autumn).

His images are like a fairytale. His subjects are often magical forests, breathtaking castles, and traditional villages.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marcel – From Germany 📷 (@_marcelsiebert)

9. Disa Wold

If someone is enjoying life to the fullest, it’s Disa. Wherever she goes, she embraces the opportunities that the place gives. From tenting to petting a reindeer or chilling in a hot tub, she knows how to bring the best out of each moment.

And she captures these moments authentically and joyfully. Disa also has a portrait photography account. So check it out if you are interested in her work.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Disa Wold (@disa)

10. Monika Jeske

If you are looking for magic, you should definitely check out Monika’s photography. She uses spectacular skies to emphasize the beauty of locations such as Sicily or Jordan.

Apart from these, she also takes everyday places, like Prague’s old town. And she gives an extra touch to them with her editing style.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Monika Jeske / Outdoor (@beautyland_photography)

11. Rach Stewart

Rach is a photographer from New Zealand, mainly taking photos of mountain landscapes. Her images are incredibly refined and thoughtfully composed.

She plays with colors like a true artist. The smooth transition between shades of the blue hour and cotton candy clouds in her pictures is remarkable.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Rach Stewart ↟ New Zealand (@rachstewartnz)

12. Stijn Dijkstra

Stijn loves creating dramatic images. He often uses silhouettes , sunsets , and flares to reach the desired atmosphere. He often uses a bird’s-eye view to include as much scenery as possible.

Capturing himself in his scenes is also a common part of his work. Check out this account if you want adventure photography at the most varied locations!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Stijn | 📸 Travel & Photography (@furstset)

13. Nazariy Kryvosheyev

Nazariy uses his photography to capture the moment while hiking and traveling through gorgeous places. You can often see a patch of sky, a ray of sunlight, or a passing cloud giving his images an extra touch. He knows how to play with shadows and contrast to create his own style.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Travel Feeling🏕 (@nazarudi)

14. Roam The Planet

Unlike the other accounts in our list, @roamtheplanet is not an individual artist. It’s a photography community built on a passion for adventure.

It features images from a variety of travel photographers. You can use this account for inspiration. But you can also get featured using the #roamtheplanet hashtag under your travel photographs.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von ROAM THE PLANET (@roamtheplanet)

15. Thrainn Kolbeinsson

Thrainn is an Icelandic photographer traveling through his country. The sheer beauty of Iceland shines through his photos, from glaciers to highlands and waterfalls .

He captures details, such as close-ups of Icelandic horses, frozen grass, and landscapes. He often takes drone photos, showing the location from a unique perspective.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Thrainn Kolbeinsson (@thrainnko)

16. Gábor Nagy

Gábor is a Hungarian photographer with a passion for traveling and adventures. His work is special because he often manages a minimalistic style of landscapes , with only two or three elements in the picture.

This makes his photographs simple yet breathtaking. One of his favorite locations is Iceland, and he is good friends with Thrainn.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Gábor Nagy | Hungary 💪 (@gabornagy_photography)

17. Peter McKinnon

Peter is one of Instagram’s most-followed travel photographers. This is no accident. He takes a unique approach to travel, combining lifestyle self-portraits with adventure photos.

He visits a wide variety of locations. You can find photos of huge cities, northern landscapes, or even Californian beaches in his account.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Peter McKinnon (@petermckinnon)

18. Michael Kagerer

His photos radiate calmness, partly thanks to his editing technique and partly because of his location choice. He prefers to visit places with minimal human habitation, explore the wild, and interact with animals.

Wherever he goes, he highlights the main characteristics of the area. This includes moody forests, frozen mountains, or bare hills.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Michael Kagerer | Photography (@michaelkagerer)

19. Giulio Groebert

Giulio is a German photographer. He loves traveling through Europe and sharing his journey through his photography. He uses a harmonic set of colors in his pictures. This creates a warm atmosphere that defines his style.

Giulio proves that there are hidden gems everywhere. Looking at his pictures, the viewer gets an irresistible motivation to go out and discover new places.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Giulio | Travel & Outdoor (@giuliogroebert)

20. Tom Juenemann

Tom is a German travel and outdoor photographer , often taking bird’s-eye view photos. He loves visiting castles and traditional villages, creating fairytale-like images .

He aims to inspire his followers to travel. He also cooperates with tourist offices and brands, like Vans, Sony, and Adobe, to help them get a bigger audience.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Tom | Travel & Outdoor (@tom_juenemann)

21. Stuart Price

Stuart is a photographer who is experienced in many different areas. Apart from travel photos, he also does lifestyle, product , and portrait photography.

He has pictures from England, Portugal, and Greece, to mention a few. And he is extremely skilled at using various compositional techniques. He is also the writer of our Intuitive Composition eBook!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Stuart Price (@stuartprice)

22. Mandy Rosenfeld

If you are looking for mountain landscape photography inspiration, check out this account. From the Dolomites to Iceland, Mandy has a talent for capturing the cold yet beautiful winter atmosphere through her photos. She loves rocky surroundings, fog, and sunsets peeking through the clouds.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von MANDY ROSENFELD (@rosenfeld.mandy)

23. Fabian Huebner

Speaking of cold and foggy photos, Fabian is one of the area’s leading travel photographers. He embraces the mystical atmosphere of cloudy days while using the occasional sunset. If you check out his account, be prepared that his dark and moody images will give you the chills.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von F A B I A N • H U E B N E R (@fabian.huebner)

24. Manuel Dietrich

Manuel is passionate about capturing his adventures from California to Germany to Norway. He loves having mountains and lakes in front of his camera.

His composition technique is dynamic. He often creates a foreground by letting plants and stones into his frame. A preset is also available so that his followers can reproduce the unique color tones he’s using.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Manuel Dietrich | Germany (@manueldietrichphotography)

25. Marvin Kuhr

Marvin is yet another travel photographer who prefers to take a minimalistic approach. He doesn’t overcrowd his frame. He visibly composes each subject of his while consciously using compositional rules. He mainly travels in Europe. But he has also visited locations such as La Réunion and Canada.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Marvin Kuhr (@kuhrmarvin)

26. Emmett Sparling

Other photographers on our list mostly take photos of mountain sceneries. But Emmett regularly visits exotic places and seashores. He has a vibrant and colorful photography style.

He often plays with different lighting conditions. And he ventures into underwater photography , taking portraits and wildlife photos.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von TRAVEL 🌎 EMMETT SPARLING (@emmett_sparling)

27. Brayden Hall

Brayden’s seasonal photo series is outstanding. He visualizes exactly what’s most appealing in each season. The colorful leaves of autumn or the sea adventures of summer are often the subjects of his photos. How he utilizes light can serve as an example for other photographers.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von BRAYDEN | travel + adventure 🗺 (@braybraywoowoo)

28. André Alexander

This German travel photographer takes pictures of landscapes as much as castles, villages, and cities. He prefers to do photoshoots at sunset or sunrise, which adds to the dreamy atmosphere of his shots. Looking at André’s photos really makes you want to travel through Europe and visit some of the places he captures.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von André Alexander | Germany (@formgestalter)

29. Dave Williams

Dave is an internationally recognized travel and wildlife photographer. He has been featured by sites and magazines such as Forbes or National Geographic.

He uses gorgeous lighting and landscapes, often choosing wild animals as his models. If you want to see some gorgeous Aurora Borealis photos, check out his account!

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Dave Williams (@idavewilliams)

30. Lennart Pagel

Lennart takes pictures of cities and villages just as much as nature. He loves using a bird’s-eye view when capturing his adventures all around the world. Whether it is landmarks or natural creations, he can capture the essence of each location.

            Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                         Ein Beitrag geteilt von Lennart Pagel | 📍Germany (@lennart)

Conclusion: Most Influential Travel Photographers

Looking at other photographers’ work can give you inspiration and new ideas you can implement in your photos.

That’s why it is a good idea from time to time to go through some outstanding artists’ profiles and see if you like anything about their style. When it comes to travel photography, these artists can even motivate you to go on a trip yourself!

Do you agree with our list? Please drop us a comment with your favorite travel photographer under this post!

We are always on the lookout for exciting new travel photographers. If you are a travel photographer and feel you should be considered on our list, email us at [email protected] with your bio, website, and Instagram link!

Take Pro Travel Photos This Summer With These Easy Tips

With these pro tips, you can come back from your travels with amazing photos.

• Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022

A sunbather takes in the glorious weather on the island of Sicily.

Your vacation is the perfect chance to take stunning photos you'll treasure forever. And you don't have to be a professional photographer to capture all the gorgeous sights and memorable experiences you'll encounter on your trip. But simply pointing your camera at something and pressing the shutter button isn't necessarily going to score you shots you'll want to look back on in years to come. 

Capturing photos that you'll want to print for your wall or put in a photo book takes more understanding, but with just a bit of effort you'll be able to turn your everyday vacation snaps into award-worthy pieces of travel photography. 

In the first part of my two-part travel photography guide , I took you through the kit you should consider taking with you, whether it's a great phone like the iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or a dedicated camera like the Canon EOS R5. 

Read more: Best Camera to Buy in 2024

Now, I'm going to take you through the tips I keep in mind as a professional photographer as I travel the globe. 

By knowing how to quickly operate my camera I was able to capture the fleeting golden light of this sunset in Scotland.

Get to know your kit

Learning how to operate your camera will not only help you get better, more creative shots, but will help you snap those shots quicker, as you won't have to fiddle around with settings. Some of the most exciting travel shots can come and go in a split second, so whether you're capturing the running of the bulls in Pamplona or a snowboarder launching off a mogul in Switzerland, you'll need to learn to shoot quickly.

Learning how to use manual controls will allow you to get creative with slow shutter speeds.

Spend time with your camera in manual mode before you go away. Learn how to change shutter speed, aperture, ISO speeds and white balance and experiment with what happens to your images when you change these settings. A good camera will be able to capture some great shots in auto mode, but when you want to get more creative, you'll need to take control. 

Shooting in raw allows you to fine tune settings like white balance after you've taken the shot.

Shoot in raw

If your camera has it (and almost all cameras and even most phones do), shoot in raw format. Yes, it creates bigger files, but memory cards are so cheap now that it's worth carrying an extra couple of 64GB cards with you. Raw shooting allows you to change white balance after your shot and capture more details in the very bright and very dark areas, letting you tone down any blown-out skies or lighten some shadows in Photoshop.

Read more: Best Camera Phone of 2024

Although it's always best to get the shot right when you first take it, raw processing gives you much more flexibility to rescue a shot that's not quite right. 

Local events can provide a wealth of photography opportunities, such as this sea-swimming competition in the Italian town of Vernazza.

Do your research

Search for your location on Google and visit travel websites to find out more about where you're going. Not only will that help you make the most of your trip, you may find out about local events or particularly photogenic locations you may otherwise have missed.

You might also find out about photography restrictions that may land you in hot water -- as a general rule anywhere, avoid photographing government buildings, and if you're unsure, ask permission.

Search for your destination on Instagram or on photography websites such as Flickr and 500px for inspiration on what to see. It's handy to get an idea of the shots other people have taken -- either to replicate them yourself or to avoid taking the same generic shot the internet has seen hundreds of times before.

Composition is key

Good composition will make or break a photo, and unlike white balance or color tone, poor composition can't be fixed in post processing. The morning light bouncing off that rustic church won't count for much if you've accidentally chopped off the spire in your hurry to take the shot.

By finding a higher viewpoint, I was able to better capture the beautiful towers, spires -- and the castle -- on a stunning winter evening in Edinburgh.

A generic shot of a popular spot can be transformed into an unusual and creative artwork simply by changing your angle. Take a moment to look at the scene before you shoot and don't be afraid to move around to get the best angles. Struggling with a beach scene? Walk farther down the coast to find boats, nets or rocks that might add foreground interest. Shooting in the city? Get up a tall building for dramatic urban cityscapes. Even just kneeling down and shooting from below can make a difference.

These jeans being dried over a balcony really caught my eye and certainly say a lot about city life in Barcelona.

Find the details that matter

Capturing a beautiful, wide view of the stunning European city you're visiting is great for a nice print to hang on your wall, but it's those smaller details that really tell the story of your trip. Maybe it's the food market you visited, a weather-worn old door, a vintage scooter or a shop sign that hasn't been repainted in years. 

All of these small elements will not only help capture the essence of the location you're visiting but also help bring back more memories for you when you look at them as each image will tell such a strong story. It's up to you to decide what those small details might be to look out for, but my advice is to always have your camera ready to shoot so when you see something that speaks to you -- a stack of lobster pots in a harbor, perhaps -- you're ready to take your shot. 

Amazing things can happen in the dark.

Don't be afraid of the dark

Just because the sun has gone down, it doesn't mean your photography needs to stop. It's a great time to get creative with slow shutter shots. Long exposures blur motion, turning regular car headlights on a city street into creative, abstract light trails, streaking through the darkness. Use a narrow aperture -- around f/12 -- and a long exposure to turn points of light into gorgeous starbursts.

You'll need to secure your camera firmly in place -- with a tripod -- and if you're playing with exposures longer than a few seconds, you'll need to be careful about the breeze or people walking by adding any vibrations. If you want to do long exposures in the daytime, you'll need a dark neutral density filter, such as the Big Stopper by Lee Filters, to let you take minute-long exposures in the middle of the day.

If you're shooting on a modern camera -- especially with a larger, full frame sensor -- then you can also likely increase your ISO speed above 3,200 without seeing too much degradation from image noise. Coupled with a wider aperture of f/2.8 or more, you may have more luck shooting handheld scenes in low light. If this is a priority for you, cameras that also offer in-body image stabilization (like the Canon EOS R5) should be on your list; this stabilization lets you use slower shutter speeds without needing a tripod.

By visiting this busy Saturday morning market in the French town of La Rochelle, I was able to capture this street photo that packs in great elements including the flowers on the barrel, the man dipping his hat, the people having a conversation and a woman peering out from inside the building.

Be a people person

It's often the people you meet as much as the places you see that makes traveling and exploring so interesting. People make fantastic subjects to photograph, whether they're wandering the streets, relaxing or hard at work.

Naturally, not everybody will want to be photographed so, out of politeness if nothing else, it's a good idea to ask the person's permission beforehand if you're trying to take a portrait of someone. It'll help if you do your research and learn a few key phrases of the local language to not only ask permission, but be able to understand the response. If they say no, it's important to respect that.

Otherwise, heading to busy areas like local markets will allow you to take more street-style photographs with candid moments of people going about their day. Again, it's still important to respect peoples' space here and keep in mind that some countries may have laws against this type of photography.

I loved capturing this moment on a trip to the Scottish seaside, and I think it really helps tell the story of the sort of community you'd find there.

Set your alarm

The middle of the day may be the nicest time to wander around Tuscan streets, grab a hot chocolate on the mountainside or order a third cocktail on the beach, but the midday sun doesn't usually offer the best light for dramatic photographs.

It's the early morning light, casting its long, golden shadows that will really make a place look its most beautiful. Setting your alarm for sunrise on holiday may seem like the worst thing in the world, but it's worth trying -- even just once -- to see what sort of shots you get. Scout out locations beforehand to make sure you don't waste the precious early hours trying to find somewhere to shoot.

By coming back to this tower later in the day, I was able to catch the sunset in the background.

Revisit the scene

When you stumble upon a particularly picturesque scene, don't just visit it just the once. While a bay may look delightful in the daytime, it will look different again at night, with all the lights of nearby buildings stretching out across the water. If you know a great spot, do your best to come back to it to find out when it looks best.

Sometimes a punchy black and white edit can really add to the drama of a scene.

Play with processing

Although you should always try to get the best shot you can when you first take it, some well-placed post processing can turn a good photo into a great one. If you're shooting raw files, you'll need to process them anyway, so it's worth trying out a few of the sliders in Adobe Lightroom while you're at it.

With your raw files, the first thing you'll need to do is correct the white balance. Have a play with the color temperature slider and see what tone suits best. Summer evening shots will benefit from a warmer color tone, while chilly February city streets will look best with something a bit cooler.

Toning down the highlights can help keep a bright sky under control, while lifting the shadows will help make darker areas more visible, without affecting too much of the rest of the scene. It's important not to go overboard on this, as it can make your images look a little unnatural. From that point on, have a play with your editor of choice and see what you like. There's no one right way to edit your shots -- no matter what anybody says -- it's all about what you prefer. 

A high contrast black and white edit makes this image from a London tube station really stand out.

Do your own thing

Sure, rules such as "take the lens cap off before shooting" should always be followed, but never be afraid to try an unusual angle, play with your settings or experiment with new editing techniques in Lightroom.

If everybody always followed the exact same format, everybody's photography would look the same. Use these rules as guidelines and play with angles, settings and editing as much as you want to find what works for you.

I'm Blown Away by These Photos I Took on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

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Passing Thru Travel

Top 12 Travel Photography Hotspots for 2024

Posted: March 21, 2024 | Last updated: March 21, 2024

Photography plays a crucial role in sharing and perceiving travel experiences; practicing responsible travel photography has never been more important. It’s about capturing the world’s beauty with respect for the environment, local cultures, and future generations. This guide explores photogenic destinations and embodies the principles of sustainability and respect, offering photographers the chance to capture stunning imagery while adhering to ethical practices.

1. Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a sanctuary of majestic peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and vast wilderness. As Canada’s first national park, Banff offers photographers unparalleled natural beauty, from the serene waters of Lake Louise to the rugged grandeur of Moraine Lake.

The park’s diverse wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, and wolves, adds a dynamic element to any photo shoot, demanding a respectful distance and a keen eye for candid moments. The Icefields Parkway, stretching between Banff and Jasper, is a journey through some of the world’s most scenic landscapes, offering endless photography opportunities.

Responsible travel photography in Banff means adhering to park regulations, staying on designated paths to protect the delicate ecosystem, and capturing the natural environment without leaving a trace. The park’s commitment to conservation and protecting its natural and cultural heritage makes it a prime example of how tourism and environmental stewardship coexist.

Insider’s Tip: Focus on capturing the natural beauty without disturbing the wildlife. Use a zoom lens to photograph animals from a distance and stay on designated trails to protect the natural habitat.

When to Travel: Summer (June to August) is for hiking and photography, and winter (December to March) is for snowscapes and northern lights.

How to Get There: Fly into Calgary International Airport, then drive about 1.5 hours west to Banff.

2. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, the heart of traditional Japan, presents a rich cultural heritage, serene landscapes, and architectural wonders. The city’s ancient temples, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera, stand as monuments to Buddhist devotion and Japanese aesthetics, offering photographers a glimpse into the soul of Kyoto.

The historic geisha district of Gion, with its wooden machiya houses and stone-paved streets, provides a backdrop for capturing the enduring traditions of Japan. During cherry blossom season, the city transforms into a picturesque tableau of delicate pinks and whites, with Maruyama Park and the Philosopher’s Walk prime photography locations.

Photography in Kyoto involves respecting the privacy of geishas and locals, avoiding intrusive behavior, and appreciating the city’s cultural sites with mindfulness and reverence. Engaging with the local community, understanding the significance of the sites, and contributing to preserving Kyoto’s heritage are key aspects of responsible travel photography in this ancient city.

Insider’s Tip: Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, and be mindful of private property signs when exploring Kyoto’s narrow alleys and traditional neighborhoods.

When to Travel: Cherry blossom season in early April or autumn foliage in November for stunning natural backdrops.

How to Get There: Fly into Kansai International Airport and take a train or bus to Kyoto.

3. Petra, Jordan

The ancient city of Petra, carved directly into vibrant red sandstone cliffs, offers an unparalleled opportunity to step back in time. This archaeological feat, once a thriving trading center, now invites you to explore its tombs, temples, and theaters.

Visitors should avoid climbing on fragile structures or entering areas that are closed for restoration. The best photographs of Petra come from those who take the time to understand its history and significance, offering viewers a glimpse into the past that respects the efforts to preserve it for the future.

Insider’s Tip: Visit Petra early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and capture the best light.

When to Travel: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) for mild weather.

How to Get There: Fly into Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, then drive or take a bus to Petra.

4. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, the iconic Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains, is a masterpiece of engineering and architecture. Its precise stone constructions, built in harmony with the earth and sky, offer a window into the Incan world and its spiritual connection to nature. This UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by lush cloud forests and towering peaks, is a photographer’s dream for its breathtaking vistas and a place of deep cultural reverence.

Photographers are encouraged to be mindful of where they step, staying on designated paths to prevent erosion and damage to the ancient stones. The use of tripods is restricted within the site to minimize impact and congestion, and drones are prohibited to preserve the peace and sanctity of the surroundings.

Insider’s Tip: Use the natural light of dawn to capture Machu Picchu in its most magical and least crowded state, and follow the guidance of local authorities regarding the use of tripods and drones.

When to Travel: Dry season from May to October for clearer skies and safer hiking conditions.

How to Get There: Fly to Cusco from Lima, then take a train to Aguas Calientes and a bus up to Machu Picchu.

5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, is a kaleidoscope of marine life and vibrant corals stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast. It’s home to thousands of species of fish, mollusks, sharks, turtles, and an array of stunning coral formations. Photographers are drawn to the reef’s underwater beauty, seeking to capture its vivid colors and dynamic ecosystems.

However, the reef faces threats from climate change, pollution, and human activities, making responsible photography more crucial than ever. Photographers should practice minimal impact diving and snorkeling, ensuring they do not touch or step on the coral, which can cause significant damage.

It’s also important to be mindful of marine life by maintaining a respectful distance, avoiding the temptation to chase or harass creatures for the perfect shot. The use of natural light is encouraged to preserve the true colors of the reef and minimize disturbance to its inhabitants.

Insider’s Tip: Use natural light as much as possible to avoid stressing marine life with flash, and never touch or stand on the coral reefs to get a better shot.

When to Travel: June to October for the best underwater visibility and diving conditions.

How to Get There: Fly into Cairns International Airport, with numerous options for reef tours departing from Cairns and Port Douglas.

6. Venice, Italy

Venice is famed for its intricate waterways, historic architecture, and rich artistic heritage. This floating city, built on a lagoon, is made up of winding canals, grand palazzos, and vibrant squares, each telling a story of Venice’s glorious past. However, Venice is also a city grappling with the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, and the effects of mass tourism, making mindful photography practices essential.

Photographers are drawn to the iconic sights of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal, yet there’s a deeper narrative to be captured in the quieter, less-visited areas that reveal the authentic Venetian lifestyle.

Use your photography to highlight the city’s beauty and fragility, focusing on themes such as conservation, the impact of climate change, and the importance of sustainable tourism. Avoid contributing to congestion in popular tourist spots by exploring alternative viewpoints and compositions that tell a unique story of Venice.

Insider’s Tip: Seek out less-visited areas of Venice for unique shots that also help disperse the impact of tourism away from the most crowded spots like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

When to Travel: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) to avoid peak tourist seasons and flooding.

How to Get There: Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport or Treviso Airport for budget airlines, then take a water taxi or vaporetto to the city.

7. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is home to the vast migrations of wildebeest and zebras and an impressive array of predators. It’s a place where the cycle of life plays out on an epic scale, offering photographers moments of raw beauty and dramatic interaction. Photography in the Serengeti means keeping a safe distance from animals and using long lenses to capture intimate moments without disturbance.

Photographers should follow the guidance of their guides and park regulations to ensure their presence does not impact the wildlife or their habitat. The Serengeti’s vast landscapes and abundant wildlife require patience and respect from those who wish to capture its essence, ensuring that this natural spectacle continues for generations to come.

Insider’s Tip: Invest in a good telephoto lens to capture close-up shots of wildlife without disturbing them, and always stay in your vehicle during game drives.

When to Travel: June to October is for the wildebeest migration, and December to March is for the calving season and predator interaction.

How to Get There: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, then take a small aircraft to an airstrip in the Serengeti.

Iceland, a country of stark contrasts and natural wonders, offers photographers otherworldly landscapes. From the aurora borealis dancing over snow-capped volcanoes to the serene beauty of its fjords and waterfalls, Iceland is a destination where the elements create art.

Practicing photography in Iceland involves respecting the fragile ecosystems that make its landscapes so unique. Staying on marked paths, refraining from moving rocks or vegetation to get the perfect shot, and being mindful of nesting birds or delicate mosses are all crucial. Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, and photographers should prepare accordingly, ensuring their quest for the perfect photo does not risk them or the natural environment.

Insider’s Tip: Stick to marked paths when photographing Iceland’s natural attractions to prevent damage to the vegetation and soil, and be mindful of the weather conditions to ensure your safety.

When to Travel: Summer (June to August) is for midnight sun photography, and winter (November to February) is for northern lights.

How to Get There: Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a car for the most flexibility in exploring.

9. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, the jewel of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire, showcases the country’s rich historical and architectural legacy. This sprawling temple complex, originally constructed in the early 12th century, is the largest religious monument in the world and offers photographers a unique blend of spiritual significance and architectural grandeur.

The intricate bas-reliefs and the grand scale of the temples against the backdrop of lush forests and rising sun create a mesmerizing scene for photography enthusiasts. Photographers are encouraged to tread lightly, staying on established paths to protect the site’s fragile ruins and respecting the sanctity of active religious sites within the complex.

The best photographs of Angkor Wat often come from exploring its less-visited corners at dawn or dusk, when the play of light and shadow brings the ancient stones to life. Responsible travel photography here also means engaging with the local community in a way that supports sustainable tourism, ensuring that the benefits of your visit extend beyond the temple grounds.

Insider’s Tip: Dress modestly when visiting Angkor Wat to show respect for its spiritual importance, and avoid using flash photography inside the temples to preserve the ambiance and the ancient artworks.

When to Travel: Dry season from November to February for cooler temperatures and less humidity.

How to Get There: Fly into Siem Reap International Airport, with Angkor Wat just a short drive away.

10. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador’s unparalleled showcase of biodiversity, are a haven for wildlife photographers drawn to its unique species and pristine ecosystems. The archipelago’s isolation has given rise to an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life, including the famous Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies, many of which show no fear of humans due to the lack of natural predators.

This proximity allows for incredible wildlife photography opportunities but also requires a heightened sense of responsibility. Photographers must follow strict guidelines set by the Galápagos National Park, including maintaining a minimum distance from the animals, staying on marked trails, and not using flash photography.

Capturing the natural behaviors of these unique species without impacting their environment or well-being is the essence of responsible photography in the Galápagos. Visiting with a certified naturalist guide enriches the experience. It ensures that your presence contributes to the conservation efforts that keep the Galápagos a living laboratory of evolution.

Insider’s Tip: Use a zoom lens to photograph the islands’ wildlife, ensuring you don’t disrupt their natural behavior or environment, and always be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide.

When to Travel: December to May for warmer, calmer seas and active marine life; June to November for cooler temperatures and clearer waters.

How to Get There: Fly to Quito or Guayaquil, then take a domestic flight to the Galápagos Islands’ Baltra or San Cristóbal airports.

11. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans offers photographers a vibrant palette of subjects. From the historic French Quarter’s wrought-iron balconies to the spirited parades of Mardi Gras, the city is a feast for the senses. Capturing New Orleans through a lens means diving into its unique cultural celebrations, understanding the significance behind its historic architecture, and portraying the resilience and spirit of its people.

Responsible photography in New Orleans involves engaging with the community respectfully, especially during cultural festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Photographers are encouraged to seek permission before photographing individuals, particularly when people celebrate or participate in personal moments. This respect for personal space and acknowledgment of the subject’s dignity enhances the authenticity of the images captured.

Insider’s Tip: Engage with local musicians and performers before photographing them, showing appreciation for their art and asking for permission to capture their performance.

When to Travel: Late winter to early spring (February to May) to experience Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest with cooler temperatures.

How to Get There: Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, with the city center just a short drive away.

Bhutan, a kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs), and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. Photography in Bhutan offers a window into a culture deeply rooted in Buddhism, showcasing festivals, traditional dress, and a way of life that prioritizes Gross National Happiness over material wealth.

Responsible travel photography in Bhutan means capturing the essence of its culture and people without intruding on their daily lives or spiritual practices. Visitors should always ask for permission before taking photos, especially during religious ceremonies or in dzongs.

Bhutan’s approach to tourism, focused on sustainability and cultural preservation, requires photographers to be mindful of their impact, ensuring that their work respects and honors the subjects and environments they depict.

Insider’s Tip: When visiting monasteries and religious sites, always ask for permission before taking photos, and be discreet to maintain the sanctity of these spaces.

When to Travel: Spring (March to May) is for blooming flowers, and autumn (September to November) is for clear mountain views.

How to Get There: Fly into Paro International Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan, typically via flights from India, Thailand, or Nepal.

The Bottom Line

Responsible travel photography is about more than capturing beautiful images; it’s about doing so in a way that respects our planet and its inhabitants. By following these guidelines and tips, you preserve the integrity and beauty of the destinations you visit.

Remember, the most powerful photographs tell a story of connection, respect, and understanding, bridging cultures and inspiring others to see the world through a lens of compassion and responsibility.

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The post Top 12 Travel Photography Hotspots for 2024 republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / A_B_C.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Best Places for a Solo Retreat Trip in The Spring 

Spring is a time for restoration, so why not take a trip to a wellness retreat? Check out some of the best global retreats for a solo trip.

Sarah Rand • May 2, 2024

Wellness retreats have increased in popularity in recent years. Although many hotels offer spa services and other relaxing activities, there is certainly a need for space where multiple types of healing are at the forefront. A wellness retreat with stellar service and stunning views can be just what the doctor ordered. 

The allure of wellness retreats have become so popular that travelers have begun to travel to them alone. While solo travel is an activity that many assume is a journey to find excitement and thrill, it can also be a time to recenter and chill. And there is no better time to take a restorative trip and prepare to be renewed than in the spring. Spring is the time where nature blooms and it can be the season where travelers expand internally as well. Check out the top retreats for solo travelers looking to find a little peace on their getaway.

Best Spring Retreats for Solo Travelers

These retreats have a bulk of wellness activities to offer. They promote self care and may be the perfect place for a spring trip. Check out these retreats that have varying wellness offerings. Travelers are sure to be satisfied after their solo retreat experience. 

Switzerland 

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is a top notch resort in Switzerland. It is located about an hour outside of Zurich. It is actually one of the leading European wellness retreats. The health resort is a large complex which offers varying wellness services. There is a thermal spa, medical health center, two golf courses, sculpture garden, Michel starred restaurant and more at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. The wellness offerings of the resort make it an ideal location to enjoy a solo retreat. The resort is a walkable community so travelers do not have to worry about transportation much. 

The ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort and Spa is a facility that sits at the forefront of self care in Japan. It is nearby one of the country’s best hot springs and offers both traditional medicine and alternative treatments. The resort’s exquisite decor is a big part of its appeal. The spa is decorated with bamboo and marble, which add to the calming ambiance. There is a garden, several treatment rooms, open air terrace baths and an infinity pool. The calming retreat has breathtaking mountain views, which keeps solo visitors coming back.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a resort in Playa del Carmen. This five star resort is situated in a lush environment, which surely adds to guests enjoyment. It is known for its top notch service and renowned spa as well as its other retreat perks. The resort offers hydrothermal experiences, stunning beachfront views and some of the best cuisine of Mexico. Plus, this resort is a great place to take a solo retreat for wellness since sitting out by the beach and letting worries melt away is the number one activity at this wellness retreat. Travelers will not have trouble unwinding at this modernly designed resort that has wellness in mind. 

California 

The Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in California is a physician led wellness place. The retreat is a great fit for solo travelers that want to make progress in their physical health and wellness goals. At the resort travelers can enjoy expert led personal training, which is balanced with other healing practices. And the site focuses on visitors’ mind-body connection so nutrition guidance and meditation practices are observed by guests. By strengthening this bond and having a more holistic approach to wellness, visitors may notice that they reach a place of contentment faster. 

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