amazing travel photography

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• 2021 IN REVIEW

These are the best travel photos of 2021

Explore the world in 18 stunning images from our contributors.

Even with an unsteady return to travel, 2021 proved to be a time of renewed exploration. The photographs we published this year reflect an intimacy that comes from staying closer to home and looking deeper into the landscapes and cultural traditions all around us.

Our National Geographic contributors shared surprising glimpses of regions they know well, from the urban trails of San Francisco to the untamed lands of Patagonia to the watery wilds of Alaska. These images reveal the enduring essence of inspiring places.  

( Best of the World: Here are 25 incredible journeys for 2022 .)

The year ahead promises a grand return to travel, and we’re eager to hit the road. We hope these photographs reignite your desire to discover, spark your adventurous imagination, and set you off on your next journey, near or far.

Correction: The correct name of the Greek church is Agios Onoufrios. 

For Hungry Minds

Related topics.

• TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
• FAMILY TRAVEL
• ADVENTURE TRAVEL
• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
• CULTURAL TOURISM

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The Best Travel Photography of 2023

By Hannah Towey

There's nothing quite like the power of a photograph to truly capture the heart of a place—and awaken the travel bug inside us all. But with social media inundated with images of far-flung destinations, the search for high-quality travel photography can often be a tougher pursuit. So, in place of scrolling, why not let an expert panel of judges filter out the best of the best for you?

This week, the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards announced their 2023 winners, selected from more than 20,000 images taken by amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries. The judging of the competition takes place over three rounds; all 16 judges are leading photographers or experts in the field and are not made aware of the identity or nationality of any entrants.

Ranging from ethereal landscapes of the Italian countryside to striking portraits in Pakistan and Russia , the winning shots—including the celebrated work of Travel Photographer of the Year AndreJa Ravnak—reflect a “subtle elegance," says TPOTY founder Chris Coe.

"This comes through in both of AndreJa’s winning portfolios; one takes us into simple landscapes, with delicate colors and a textural beauty, the other into the hop fields, out of season and undressed ready for the next planting," Coe says. “Neither are obvious subjects, neither photographed at an optimal time of year, and yet they are both engaging and rather beautiful.”

Ravnak's winning submissions consists of eight shots photographed in the farmlands of Italy , the Czech Republic , and Slovenia .

“From my personal experience, I know it's not easy to judge photography. Images are not measurable, so being a judge is a complex task and responsibility,” says Ravnak, a professional architect from Slovenia. "Congratulations to all the winners; together, we are enthusiastically documenting this wonderful world, and perhaps this is a small contribution, a reminder to preserve its wonder for future generations.”

Below, see the 2023 winners of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards, featuring Japan's Lake Shirakawa , volcanic eruptions in Iceland , Shamanic rituals in Siberia , wildebeest migration in Kenya —and more.

Near Pienza, Tuscany, Italy

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Early in the spring, the first rains allow wheat to grow in the rolling fields. Due to the cold nights, the landscape is often shrouded in beautiful mists on clear mornings during this period. This agricultural landscape is sparsely populated, with land being used to its fullest potential. Farms are located on the top of individual hills.”

South Moravia, near Kyov, Czech Republic

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In early spring, the soil is still too cold for growth. An interesting pattern occured while a new orchard was planted on the slope of the hill, making the scene very abstract.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In search of suitable land for cultivating fertile soil for agricultural purposes, humans have sometimes covered entire hilly landscapes with fields. Hills without natural vegetation are very exposed to erosion, which creates unusual waves on the slopes. This agricultural landscape looks like a soft, undulating carpet, completely otherworldly, as if it had been created by AI. In addition to erosion, the problem with these intensively cultivated areas is also the increasing exhaustion of fertile soil.”

Hannah Towey

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Steph Koyfman

Savinjska valley, near Zalec, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “A tractor driver maneuveres a high trailer with a crew of workers on top, manually tying strings to steel cables for hop growing. In the spring, the fields must be prepared for a new season and new strings must be strung. The process is done by hand, but there is not enough interest in this type of work in Slovenia, so hop growers hire workers from abroad every year. Seasonal workers from Romania are regular visitors to the Savinja Valley.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “When the hop strings are hung on the top steel cables, an unusual curtain of threads is created in the fields. The threads dance in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight. They look like some kind of unusual art installation.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “The freely hanging strings need to be stretched and anchored in the ground. This is done by hand and is more often done by women. Here, Aurora, a woman from from Romania, is in a good mood, as the work team has a radio with them and they are playing Romanian music in the field.”

Savinjska valley, near Braslovce, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Once all the strings are manually stretched, the workers ensure that the small hop seedlings start climbing vertically. Once this is done, they leave the Savinja Valley for a few months and return in late summer, when the hops are ripe for harvesting.”

Chinle, Arizona, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 ( Caden Shepard Choi, USA, age 14) : “The sheep are herded back to their pen at the entrance of the canyon. They walk through a dust cloud formed by the steady kick of their hooves. The sheep are initially reluctant to enter the mouth of the canyon, but when returning home, they show no resistance. After a long day steering sheep, the two herding dogs now playfully trail behind.”

Exton, Pennsylvania, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 15-18 (Lilly Zhang, USA, age 17) : “The mist suspended on Marsh Creek lake's surface, signature to its early fall mornings, the quiet morning light illuminating the fall leaves, and the fishermen amidst the mist. Captivated by the quiet beauty of the scenery, I took this photo.”

Litli-Hrutur volcano, Iceland

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 14 and Younger (Zayan Durrani, USA, age 14) : “My father and I took a trip to Iceland to visit an ongoing volcanic eruption. I took this image on the first day through the window of a small plane. I love how the setting sun cast shadows through the hills onto the volcano.”

The Icelandic highlands

Winner, Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Armand Sarlangue, France) : “A lush mountain range covered of moss in the Highlands, with a river snaking between the reliefs from the above glaciers. It will carry precious sediments along the lands before joining a bigger river system, up to the coasts of Iceland where it will connect with the great ocean.”

Lake Shirakawa, Japan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Kazuaki Koseki, Japan) : “For a period from the end of winter to early summer, Lake Shirakawa is filled with water from melting snow and a ‘submerged forest’ appears. The water in the lake changes colour between light blue and light green, and mist, combined with the reflections which look like a submeged forest create a fantastic landscape. In April, the season of sprouting had arrived in the submerged forest. In the soft light before sunrise, the submerged forest quietly welcomed the morning. I chose a bluish time before sunrise to erase the reality and emphasize the fantastic sight, and set the shutter speed to 30 seconds to flatten the water surface.”

La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico

Winner, Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A split shot of a Mobula ray fever cruising below the divers’ boat as part of their annual migration in the waters of Baja California.”

Anilao, Philippines

Winner, Best Single Image in a Wildlife and Conservation Portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A yellow Gobby watches the ocean from the entrance of his crystal palace, a glass bottle at the bottom of the sea of the worst ocean polluter on the planet.”

Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

Winner, People and Cultures Portfolio (Athanasios Maloukos, Greece) : “The Buryatian shaman Vitalli performs a ritual to connect with the spirits on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi (Dragon) cape in the background. Siberia is considered the heartland of Shamanism, with Lake Baikal its most sacred place.”

Lagos, Nigeria

Winner, Best Single Image in a People and Cultures Portfolio (Jack Lawson, UK) : “Four members of The Special Eagles, Nigeria's national amputee football team, stand looking out into the ocean at a day on the beach.”

Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Visual Stories Portfolio (F.Dilek Yurdakul, Turkey) : “In Pakistan, an Islamic Republic, there is no coeducation in public schools. Boys and girls receive Islamic education in separate classrooms and schools. The Kalash live within the borders of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, yet their schools are still co-educational. Gender diversity and unity are viewed as nothing to fear. Children are educated equally and together.”

La Puna, Argentina

Winner, A Quieter Life category (Ignacio Palacios, Australia/Spain) : “Walking on a white sand dune in La Puna, Argentina.”

Reutte, Austria

Winner, Above, Eye Level, Below category (Josien van Geffen, Netherlands) : “Under the Highline 179 suspension bridge, you get a completely different view when you look up. The bridge and the people on it now appear like a scene from an old video game.”

Petra, Jordan

Winner, Leisure and Adventure category (Andrea Peruzzi, Italy ): “As the last rays of the sun illuminate the iconic Treasury of Petra, a Bedouin enjoys jumping between the overhanging rocks. At sunset, it’s as if the once-lost city has two profoundly different souls, divided between day and night. When tourists leave this iconic destination, the Bedouins reawaken the ancient soul of Petra by repopulating the site, to eat around the bonfires and stay connected to the traditions handed down by their ancestors.”

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Winner, People's Choice Vote (Rohan Neel Shah, Kenya, age 16) : “A young wildebeest lost in the Great Wildebeest Migration madness. He stands there confused whilst other wildebeest rush to cross the river.”

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A Look at My 20 Top Travel Photos of 2021

The clock is beginning to run out on the year 2021 and that means it is about time for my annual post on my Top Travel Photos of the year. To be completely honest, when the year started, my hope was that this post would be filled with wonderful pictures from my autumn trip to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. However, the COVID-19 curse put a dent in my travel plans once again and left me scrambling to change my travel plans this autumn. As frustrating as it was to have to push back my trip, I was extremely blessed to be able to go on several incredible adventures this past year. From those adventures, I was able to capture several great photographs that I am very happy with. The purpose of this annual post is to share these photographs with you in the hopes that it inspires you to plan your next big adventure.

However, before I introduce you to my favorite pictures from my travel adventures this year, let me remind you that you can still go back and review my favorite photographs from previous years in case you missed them. This is a yearly exercise that I have been doing for several years and I have linked to the previous editions of my yearly Top Travel Photos showcase for you to review below.

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If you are a fan of my travel photography and you would like to know a very easy way to support me in my quest to keep bringing you travel and travel photography related content, you can give my Instagram account a follow. I post unique travel photographs and travel experiences to my feed at least twice a week and your support would mean the world to me. Like I said, it is a quick and easy way to support me without having to do too much!

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Elephant Seal Vista in California

The travel year began for me with a trip to Southern California to visit my brother and his family. I love getting to see them, but I also love my visits because there are so many incredible things to see and do in Southern California. One of my favorite stops, when I am down there, is the Elephant Seal vista North of Santa Barbara. Seeing these huge and incredible creatures up close is remarkable.

Bull Elephant Seal

This year when I visited, I was lucky enough to visit around mating season, so there were a lot of huge bull elephant seals on the beach. You really have no idea just how massive these seals are until you see them in person. This guy was doing his best to protect a prime piece of beach that he had staked his claim to.

Pinnacles National Park

One of my favorite stops on my California trip this year was to a national park that I have been trying to find time to visit for years. Pinnacles National Park is one of the newer parks in the United States, and it is also one of the smallest. However, what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in beauty. I think this shot of the jagged rock formations in the high hills of the park perfectly showcases the beauty of this incredible park. If you would like to learn more about the park, I have linked to a visitor guide I created for you to review below.

Condor Landing at Pinnacles National Park

Without a doubt, some of the top travel photos that I took this past year were of the incredible California Condors at Pinnacles National Park. If you haven’t had an opportunity to see these incredible birds in person, you are really missing out. If you think the size and beauty of bald eagles are impressive, wait until you see these kings of the sky.

Condor in Flight at Pinnacles National Park

If I had to narrow down the favorite of my top travel photos from this year, it would be very difficult to not choose this shot of a California Condor in mid-flight at Pinnacles National Park. Seeing this picture brings back such fond memories of seeing these amazing birds in person and just sitting mesmerized as I watched them soar above the park.

Beautiful Santa Barbara, California

Ever since I first visited my brother and his family in Santa Barbara, California, I have been in love with the city. If you love outdoor adventure, the city of Santa Barbara couldn’t be a more perfect destination for you. With close proximity to some incredible surfing spots and the Sierra Nevada range only a short way away, there is always something to do outside. Not to mention, it is the gateway to the Channel Islands, which is one of the most incredible and underrated national parks in the United States. There is some of the best whale watching in the world off of the islands. I took the picture below from high up on the bluffs behind Santa Barbara. In the distance, you can actually see the Channel Islands off the coast. So beautiful!

Beautiful Sunset in Ventura, California

One thing that you can always count on when visiting California is experiencing some of the most vibrant and brilliant sunsets imaginable. This was certainly the case when we visited Ventura, California. The sunset off the beach was so incredible that I was able to capture a number of amazing photographs. This sunset photo is definitely one of my top travel photos of this past year. You can see the surfers trying to get in as many waves as they can before the sun sets behind the horizon.

California Sunset Dreaming

This is another photograph that I took of the same sunset that I am equally as proud of. You can see the young family at the bottom of the screen out on the beach enjoying the incredible view. If I had the time, I would try and spend every evening chasing sunsets as it often produces some of the top travel photos and most memorable shots. If you would like to learn how to predict when there will be an amazing sunrise or sunset to photograph, I have included a guide that you can review below.

Exploring the Porcupine Mountains

As the calendar year turned to Summer in the Midwest United States, it was time for me to head to the Great Lakes to embark on what has become a yearly tradition for me. Each summer, I try and seek out some of the best kayaking destinations to explore. This year, one of the destinations that I chose to explore was the beautiful Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These rolling hills (I wouldn’t actually call them mountains) are absolutely beautiful and have some really fantastic hiking trails for visitors to explore. I love this shot that I was able to get that shows the mountains with Lake Superior in the distance.

Beautiful Bond Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

One of the best parts about the Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is all of the incredible waterfalls in the area. One of my favorites to visit when I am in the area is the beautiful Bond Falls, which is located just outside of the park. I was able to capture this beautiful photograph of the falls with the reflection in the water on my visit this past summer. Such a beautiful place.

Breathtaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Without a doubt, the hallmark of my summer kayaking trip was a visit to the infamous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you love to kayak, then Pictured Rocks is an absolute must-visit destination. It is home to some of the best big freshwater kayaking in North America. It is also where I took some of my top travel photos of the year. The huge rock cliffs that highlight this spectacular coastline are amazing to explore from the water. You can also hike along the top of the cliffs to get a bird’s eye view of this dramatic coastline. I absolutely love this shot that I got when I hiked the Mosquito Beach and Chapel Beach loop this summer.

Kayaking Fun at Pictured National Lakeshore

While there might be some wonderful hiking trails at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the claim to fame for this coastline is the spectacular giant coastal cliffs. One of the most popular ways to see and experience these cliffs is to get out on the water in a kayak and explore the coastline. That is exactly what I did this summer, and the experience is one that I will not soon forget. This photograph of our group kayaking thru the large archway on the coastline is one of my top travel photos of the year for sure. For more information on how to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and get out on the water and kayak this amazing coastline, please see my Definitive Pictured Rocks Travel Guide linked below.

Pictured Rocks Kayaking Adventure

While the kayaking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was cool enough, having the opportunity to do so around sunset just added to this magical experience. As I have mentioned many times on my blog, photographing around sunset or early morning around sunrise are my favorite times of day to take pictures. This shot that I got on the back end of my Pictured Rocks Kayaking adventure is one of my favorites because the soft light of the evening gives the picture a warm glow. What an amazing moment to capture!

Exploring Leprechaun Canyon

My last big trip of the year was to Southern Utah and without a doubt, this trip ended up delivering some of my top travel photos of the year. Southern Utah is such a magical place, which is why I keep getting drawn back there to explore and photograph. On this trip, I was determined to discover some of the lesser-known spots in Southern Utah and explore them so that I could share them with you. One of these places was the beautiful Leprechaun Canyon Slot. I have explored several breathtaking slot canyons in my travel adventures, and Leprechaun Canyon ranks right up there with some of the most beautiful. However, the best part about Leprechaun Canyon is that it is not nearly as busy or crowded as some of the other slot canyons in Southern Utah. As you can see in this photograph of me, we have the canyon all to ourselves.

Exploring the Amazing Goblin Valley State Park

While Southern Utah’s five national parks may get most of the attention, the area is also home to some truly spectacular state parks for visitors to enjoy as well. Without a doubt, one of the most incredible state parks to visit in Southern Utah is the beautiful Goblin Valley State Park. Much like the nearby Bryce Canyon National Park, the Goblin Valley State Park is known for its incredible canyons filled with amazing rock formations. I love this photograph that I took in Goblin Valley because it showcases both the area’s vastness and beauty.

The Beauty of Goblin Valley State Park

Like most places in Southern Utah, the beauty of Goblin Valley State Park is only enhanced as the sun starts to set. I absolutely love the glow in this photograph that I took of the breathtaking rock formations in the valley that make Goblin Valley State Park such a treasured destination. It almost feels like you are walking on the planet Mars when the sun starts to set and the red rock formations in the valley start to glow with the setting sun. It’s a stunning time to see the park!

A Monument Valley Sunset at Forrest Gump Point

Not only is this photograph of Monument Valley one of my top travel photos of 2021, but it is also one of my favorite photographs that I have ever taken in Southern Utah. If this landscape looks familiar, it is probably because it has been showcased in a large number of movies throughout the years. Most famously, this exact spot was showcased in the 1990’s classic “Forrest Gump”, starring Tom Hanks. If you don’t recall the scene, this is where Forrest Gump abruptly stops his cross-country run and decides to go home. It is a beautiful viewpoint of a breathtaking landscape. I love the glowing sunset sky in this shot I was able to capture at Forrest Gump Point this past autumn.

The Beautiful Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon

This photograph that I took of the incredible Alstrom Point in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah could have made my list of the top travel photos of 2021 for me simply because it is a destination that I have tried to reach at least a handful of times in the past and failed. I simply never had enough time and the correct vehicle to reach this viewpoint before. This past autumn I was bound and determined to get there, so I set aside a large portion of an afternoon and made sure I had a high clearance 4×4 vehicle with me. Needless to say, getting there still wasn’t easy and involved white knuckle driving on an unimproved road at night, but I was able to finally capture some long-desired photographs of Alstrom Point like this beauty here.

Posing for a Picture at Alstrom Point

This sunset photograph that I was able to take of myself at the incredible Alstrom Point in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of my favorite self-portraits of all time. I am absolutely obsessed with the breathtaking viewpoints in Southern Utah and Alstrom Point is one of the most beautiful and difficult to reach. The fact I was able to make it there this year and get this photograph makes me so very happy!

An Amazing Sunrise at Reflection Canyon

For years, the favorite photograph that I have ever taken was one that I took early on in my adventure travels of the incredible Morraine Lake near Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. While I still absolutely cherish that photograph, I may have a new all-time favorite picture. Never before in my adventure travels have I had to work so hard to get a photograph. To get this beautiful sunrise shot of Reflection Canyon in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah I had to drive 2.5-hours a mere 50-miles down an unimproved road, hike roughly 18-miles on an unmarked trail thru slot canyons and deep washes, and camp out overnight in 28-degree Fahrenheit temperatures to be ready to capture this photograph. After seeing how it turned out, it was so worth it!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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9 comments ›.

These are great photos!

Thank you so much Laci!! 😄

That Sunrise At Reflection Canyon is one of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever seen. And what an amazing place.

Thank you so very much Coral!! You made my day!! 😃

• A Look at My 2022 Travel Adventure Bucket List January 5, 2022 • 8:31 am

Best photos.

Thank you so very much!!!

• A Look at My 25 Top Travel Photos of 2022 January 25, 2023 • 12:01 pm
• A Look Back at My 20 Top Travel Photos of 2023 December 18, 2023 • 8:23 pm

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Thank you so much for your kind words!!

Wonderful & very informative article. Good you explained everything in detail it has been a great help.

Gibraltar is so beautiful, I never thought of visiting this place, your always adorable photography has made Gibraltar even more…

Thank you so much for the kind words!!

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12 Tips for Amazing Travel Photography

Get better travel images with these easy tips

For many of us, going on a trip means we hope to come back with great photos. We go on this amazing adventure, see beautiful sceneries and want to capture them in a way that means something to us.

However, there’s more to taking great travel photos than just showing up to a beautiful location and snapping a few shots. If you aren’t well prepared for your trip, you may end up returning home with nothing more than a few snaps instead of the beautiful images you intended to capture. 

The good news is that going from shooting ‘snaps’ to capturing amazing travel photography doesn’t require that much. In fact, you’ll be well on the way by following the 12 tips I’ve shared below.

#1 Know your camera

Whether you have a new camera or you’ve had it for a long time, make sure you know how to easily change the basic settings and how to maneuver your way through its menus. It’s essential know the ins and outs before leaving on a trip. Failing to do so can cause a lot of stress and in the worst case, result in you missing the shot.

Even experienced photographers should spend time getting to know their new camera before leaving on a trip. Each brand and model have their slight differences and using a new setup can be confusing for most.

At the very least, you should learn where to find and adjust the essentials camera settings such as the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance. I also recommend that you’re familiar with the general menu and, from experience, how to quickly turn on your display light when shooting at night.

#2 Learn to make a good composition

A good composition is what makes or breaks your shot. Take some time to learn what makes up a good composition in an image so that you have the basic toolset to capture compelling photos from your travels.

One compositional guideline is The Rule of Thirds . The concept here is to break away from always having your main subject and horizon centered in the image. The frame is broken into nine squares by dividing the frame down in thirds both horizontally and vertically; try to place the point of interest along or at the intersection of these lines instead of centering it. 

This is a quick and easy guideline to follow and one that often improves the overall appearance of the image.

Leading lines is another popular compositional guideline that’s often used in photography. By using natural lines, for example a path or river, you can help guide the viewer through the photograph. Good leading lines can have a huge impact on the visual flow of an image.

There are many compositional guidelines in photography and in our article ‘ 5 Compositional Guidelines to know in Landscape Photography ‘ we look at some of the most important.

#3 Research and scout your locations 

Do your homework on the locations you are planning to visit; start by looking for inspiration from other photographers to learn about the classic shots then move on to using Google Maps in aerial view to find the lesser-known spots that may have potential.

I recommend that you write a list of both the general areas and specific locations you’ve been scouting and include a little extra information about each place so that you know what to expect.

It’s also crucial that you’re familiar with the weather (as well as the sunrise and sunset times) and have an idea of what it might be like during your visit: this way you can be prepared for anything.

Since light plays such an important role in landscape photography, it’s important to keep in min the direction of the sun. This allows you to get the best possible light on each location as you know what time of the day visit.

Don’t plan on getting the perfect shot right away; spend some time moving around the location and test different compositions. Once you have found one you that you’re happy with, wait for the light.

Sometimes this means coming back to the same location a few times.

#4 Travel light

One of the more important things I’ve learned (and definitely the hard way) is to travel light.

I know how tempting it is to pack every piece of equipment you can possibly fit into your bag but sometimes it’s better to take only the essentials. Trust me, when you’re carrying it on your back all day, for several days in a row, your back/body will thank you for leaving a couple of pounds behind.

#5 Wake up early and stay out late

Light, as mentioned earlier, is a key ingredient for great photos and the best light for travel photography tends to be early mornings for sunrise and in the evenings for sunset. These hours, known as the Golden Hour , have a softer and warmer light compared to the middle of the day when the sun is high and the light is harsh.

There’s another bonus of being up early too: you’re more likely to have a popular and touristic location for yourself. We’ve all heard the saying “the Early Bird gets the worm”. That’s very true in travel and landscape photography. 

The blue hour is another great time of day for photography. This is the hour either just before sunrise or after sunset when the sun is just below the horizon and creates a magical blue light.  

#6 Don’t forget your tripod

Tripods are great and I couldn’t live without mine.

I know they can be bulky and annoying to lug around but I strongly recommend that you don’t leave the tripod at home , especially when going on a photography expedition. I dragged mine around while traveling by train across Europe for two months and while it wasn’t always ideal, I wouldn’t have been able to get many of the shots I did without it.

Recommended Reading: Why Every Landscape Photographer Needs a Tripod

Tripods come in handy when you intend to photograph either early morning or late evening. This is because the dim light makes it nearly impossible to shoot handheld without increasing your ISO to levels that negatively impact the image quality . By using a tripod, you can instead extend the shutter speed while still getting a sharp result.

Experimenting with long exposure photography is another great reason to bring the tripod. This has a great effect on images that include water, skies or other moving elements. Creating that blur or milky look in water will not be possible without the tripod.

#7 Always remember extra batteries

This may seem like a no brainer but you’d be surprised the number of times I’ve gone out to shoot and found my camera battery was dead and I forgot my spares. There is nothing worse than being in a beautiful location with the most epic conditions and nothing but flat batteries.

So before you head out shooting, make it a habit to charge all your batteries and be sure to have a couple of spares available in your bag.

A little tip to remember is colder weather drains your batteries faster . I would always have a couple of extra spare batteries when shooting somewhere that has a colder climate.

#8 Be patient

A great photograph takes time.

Most of the images you see and love from your favorite photographers are the result of them going back to the same spot several times and patiently waiting for the right conditions. 

Once you’ve taken the time to set up your composition, it’s all about waiting for the light. Pay attention to the details of the light and the clouds and wait for all the elements to come together.

This can take a while and sometimes it may not happen at all. That’s all part of photography. 

#9 Shoot in manual mode and capture RAW files

Cameras have become quite smart and you’d think they could take amazing photos in automatic mode but that’s not really the case.

Yes, the camera analyzes the scene in automatic mode and makes what it believes to be a logical decision for aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Sometimes it turns out ok, even great but other times you may find that the images tend to be a bit overexposed or differ from what you prefer.

I highly recommend that you begin to learn about what aperture, shutter speed and ISO are, how they work together and affect your image. This will lay the fundamentals for you to progress towards using the manual mode. Here’s a quick refresher for you:

Aperture affects the depth of field . Depth of field is how much of your image is in focus and how much is out of focus. The smaller the aperture is, the bigger the depth of field.

Shutter Speed is how long the image is being captured . The camera’s shutter is opened to let light into the sensor. When an image is overexposed it means that too much light has been let in. When it’s underexposed, too little light could get in which could be due to a too quick shutter speed. Keep in mind that a fast shutter freezes motion while a longer shutter blurs it.

I also suggest that you shoot in the RAW image format instead of JPEG. This is an uncompressed file that gives you more information to work with and better flexibility in post production.

#10 Backup your images

Make sure to remember backing up your photos as you go. It’s a good idea to bring an external hard drive on your travels that you can import your images to at the end of every day. There’s nothing worse than technology failing us and losing hundreds of beautiful images.

Recommended Reading: Step-by-Step on How I back Up my Photography

Save yourself the stress and find a system that works for you to have photos saved safely. 

While I’m traveling I like to know that all my images are saved in two different places just in case something happens. This is why I tend to keep all my images on a memory card and have them backed up on the hard drive until I return home. 

#11 Don’t stop shooting when the weather turns bad

Some of my favorite shots are taken in the harshest elements. I look back at those photos and remember standing outside for hours in the freezing cold wet rain or snow but the reward was a great shot! Dramatic weather can add an extra dynamic to your photos so don’t run away from it. 

Look at the weather forecast and be prepared. Pack extra layers, and have dry clothes in your car ready for you if possible. Make sure you have a rain cover for your camera bag and possibly your camera if you are worried about that.

I make sure to have two microfiber cloths in my bag and sometimes 2 extras in the car; one large one to dry my camera body and a smaller one for my lens. It protects my gear and helps me be able to shoot longer without my lens being covered in water spots. 

#12. Always be respectful

My last tip is the one I think this one is the most important: always be respectful when traveling and photographing new places .

You’re exploring someone else’s home and culture so keep in mind the golden rule of “ do unto others as you would have them do unto you ” 

Be considerate, don’t go tramping through someone’s private property to get a shot, or take a photo of someone’s house while they are sitting at the window eating dinner… No one feels comfortable with that. It’s better to instead ask for permission and only go where they allow. 

Make sure to ask a stranger if they’re ok with you taking a photo of them; don’t assume you can just sneak a quick shot. When in doubt, don’t shoot. Be conscious of the different cultures and that some photographs may not be allowed.

Travel photography is a lot of fun but being in a beautiful location is only the first step in capturing impactful images. The very best shots require time, planning and consistency but I think we can all agree that it’s worth it when you finally get that one shot.

You’re more likely to return home with professional-looking images when you’re prepared. Know what to expect about both the location and the weather, know how the sun hits the scenery and know how to best utilize your camera. It doesn’t take much but this is going to be the difference between an impressive travel photograph and a simple ‘snap’.

The most important thing about travel photography is to remember to look up. You’re somewhere new for the very first time, don’t be so focused on getting the shot that you forget to stop and enjoy the views along the way.

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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!

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Explore > Inspiration > Photography > Learn How to Take Amazing Travel Photos

Learn How to Take Amazing Travel Photos

Thanks to the popularity of image-sharing apps like Instagram , more people are taking up photography as a hobby. And where better to improve your skills than by learning to take amazing travel photos on your next trip? Discover the best settings for photographing the neon glow of Times Square at night and for composing stunning landscape shots at Lake Tahoe. Take a photography tour with a local guide to find where to photograph elephants in Sri Lanka or the elusive Northern Lights in Finland. Whether you’re off the beaten path or at one of the most photographed places in the world , follow these tips and tricks to raise your travel photos to the next level.

Want the chance to win $50,000 to spend on a trip to snap an epic holiday card photo? Scroll down to see how you can enter to win through Expedia’s Holiday Card Giveaway!

Learn to Use Your Camera

A once-in-a-lifetime trip is a good excuse to buy that fancy new camera you’ve had your eye on, but just because you have an expensive camera doesn’t mean your travel photos will automatically become National Geographic level. Play around with your settings before your trip and see how that affects your images. If you don’t have time to learn more than the basics before you fly, take a beginner’s photography workshop, like this one in Sydney , that will teach you how to maximize your camera’s features. Even on a smartphone, figuring out how to manipulate your settings can help you generate Instagram-worthy images.

Photography Workshop VS Photography Tour

Typically, a photography workshop is geared toward teaching you camera techniques while a photography tour is more about taking you places to snap majestic pictures. However, a workshop in Brisbane can still take you to interesting locations, and your guide on a photo tour of Amsterdam may suggest settings and angles for best capturing the place. The best part about a photography tour or workshop is that you’re not rushed from site to site. You have the time to compose your photographs and get your settings just right.

Composing Amazing Travel Photos

Mastering the rule of thirds can turn blah vacation pics into captivating travel photos. Imagine your image divided into 3 horizontal sections and 3 vertical sections to create a grid of 9 rectangles. Many digital cameras and smartphones have a setting to do this for you. For landscape photography, try to align the horizon to one of the dividing lines to create a balanced composition. Putting a focal point, such as a person overlooking Lake Tahoe , into one of the 4 intersection points naturally draws the viewer’s eye around the image and creates more interest. Play around with the rule of thirds. You might be surprised by the difference it makes.

Try out Night Photography

Whether your trying to capture the vibrancy of New York’s Times Square or the majestic glow of the Northern Lights in Finland , night photography can be a tricky thing. First, to get a good photo at night, turn off your flash. Then, set your aperture (f-stop) as low as it goes, change your shutter speed to 10 seconds, and your ISO to 1600. The whole idea is to allow your camera to absorb as much of the ambient light as possible to get a clear picture in the dark. Because of this long exposure, you’ll want to set your camera on a tripod or wall to keep it as steady as possible. Take a photo or two and then adjust your settings until you get that perfect picture of Paris, the City of Light, at night .

Get a New Perspective

Changing your angle can grant a new perspective on a familiar monument or sight and help you achieve amazing travel photos. Get low and shoot upwards to make buildings or statues look grander and more imposing. You can also try climbing to new heights. Take your camera to an observation deck to get stunning shots of the sky and the city far below. Going at twilight can yield some beautiful photos. For a little thrill with your photography, climb aboard an open-door helicopter for an aerial photography workshop .

Find the Light

Photography is all about light. So, plan your trip to take advantage of the golden hour. About an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset, the low angle of the sun casts long shadows and a golden glow making even an ordinary street scene in Santorini look stunning. Of course, sunrise and sunset also provide opportunities for gorgeous travel photos. Trust a local to know the best place around to view that spectacular sunrise over the mountains or Hawaiian sunset over the ocean . Planning a nap in the middle of the day when the light is harsh can help ensure you get some rest and relaxation as well as good photos on vacation.

Photographing Wildlife

Getting good wildlife pictures is notoriously tricky. It takes planning, knowledge, patience, and a healthy dose of luck to score amazing wildlife photos while traveling. Knowing where and when to find the animals you want to photograph is key. Go with a local guide who knows the area and its animals to find the best locations look for wildlife. Take a day tour to a monkey sanctuary in Cancun , or seek out leopards and elephants during a 5-day wildlife photography tour in Sri Lanka . The more time you spend in the field, the more likely you are to snap a winning wildlife photo.

Food and Photography

Trying local delicacies is one of the pleasures of visiting somewhere new. For amazing photos of your culinary escapades, try shooting from above for plated food and hold your glass of bubbly up to the light to capture its sparkle. Arrange other objects on the table, such as forks, flowers, or even your sunglasses to help your photo tell a story. A photography and food tour can provide more tips on taking appetizing pictures of your plate. For example, document your gastronomic travels through Santa Barbara or drink it all in on a wine tasting and photography expedition in Greece . Indulge in your scrumptious subject and then watch the likes pour in when you post on social media.

More Travel Photography Tips

• If you want to photograph a local, be sure to ask their permission. Most likely they will say yes. Also, if you strike up a conversation, the portrait won’t just be a picture of a random stranger, but of someone interesting you met on your travels.
• Pack backup batteries and memory cards. You shouldn’t have to spend time deleting pictures instead of taking them.
• Remember to relax. If you’re always feeling pressured to capture every second of your trip, chances are you’re not going to enjoy the moment very much. Set your camera down for a while and make some organic memories.
• Like any skill, becoming a fantastic travel photographer takes time. The more you do it and the more familiar you get with your camera the better travel photos you’re sure to get.
• Study other people’s amazing travel photos and see how it inspires your own photography—and maybe even your next trip!

Holiday Card Giveaway

Think about the amazing memories you could make and photos you could take if you had $50,000 to spend on a family vacation. Enter Expedia’s Holiday Card Giveaway between June 17 and June 30 for your chance to win! Here’s how to enter:

• Go to the  Holiday Card Giveaway page .
• Submit your name and email to enter.

That’s it!  Click here to read the official rules.

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30 Top Travel Photography Blogs for 2024

As a passionate traveller, photographer and blogger, I’m always looking for inspiration. I love looking at travel photography blogs to learn more about new places, see what other people are doing, and pick up tips and ideas for my own work.

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And when travel is a challenge, the cost of living is too high, flights are expensive or you just can’t get the time off work, exploring via travel blog photos is the best way to feed your wanderlust.

And there are LOADS out there! When you stop to look at just a few, you’ll see there’s an astonishing number of highly-talented, hugely creative people pouring their heart and soul into their travel photography blogs, creating gorgeous content and then putting it out into the world for you and I to enjoy, free!

But of course the downside to that is that if you’re looking for travel photographers to follow, the choice can be overwhelming! Where do you even begin?

Choosing the best travel blogs

That’s why I’ve collated this list of amazing travel photography blogs to start you off. It’s not exhaustive by any means, but I think it gives you a fantastic taste of the kind of talent that’s out there.

The bloggers in this list are a mix of nationalities, ages, and specialisms, some are full-time professional travel photographers or travel bloggers, others do it for the love, but they all share one thing in common: they’re some of the best and most gifted content creators working today.

In their own words they’ve described how they created their travel photography blogs and what you can expect from their travel blog pictures, so you should definitely be able to find plenty in here to fuel your wanderlust and give you tips for your own travel photography .

So without further ado, in no particular order (but starting with my own because why not?!), here they are: 30 Beautiful Travel Photography Blogs to Inspire you in 2024.

Passport & Pixels

Passport & Pixels is a travel and photography blog created by Bella (that’s me!), a TV documentary filmmaker , photographer and travel writer from London. An adventurer with an eye for colourful places and characters, Bella’s main interests are wildlife , candid street portraits , and off-the-beaten-track destinations .

Her passion for adventure has taken her to places as far-flung as Guatemala , Uganda , Myanmar , Morocco , Kenya , Botswana and even Antarctica , from where she brings back gorgeous and colourful images that have earned her numerous awards and award nominations, including winning Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020 and being shortlisted five times for the prestigious international Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards .

Her photography has also been published in National Geographic Traveller, Wanderlust, JRNY magazine, The Great Outdoors, Discover Britain, Travel Africa and BBC Wildlife Magazine among others.

Bella shares her photos and the stories behind them on this amazing travel blog, as well as offering travel advice and tips on how to improve your own travel and wildlife photography .

Feel free to stick around and explore this site using the dropdown menus above, or scroll on down to find many more stunning travel photography blogs to awe and amaze you.

Read more: 25 Spectacular Places To Visit For Travel Photography

The Diary of a Nomad

The Diary of a Nomad is a travel photography blog with a special focus on unique, lesser-visited destinations. It was launched in 2020 by Jiayi Wang, whose photography style is a mixture of colorful and dreamy, usually characterized by symmetry and leading lines. 

The Diary of a Nomad showcases incredibly detailed and comprehensive travel guides for countries that aren’t on most tourists’ radars, such as Azerbaijan, Iran, and Pakistan. Jiayi’s passion is to help bridge cultural gaps and show the warmth and beauty of these destinations through inviting photography .

There’s a large variety of photography on The Diary of a Nomad, including landscapes, architecture, and street photography. With that said, Jiayi’s most treasured work are her photos of Uzbekistan’s jaw-dropping mosques and madrasahs. These images have been featured on various media outlets such as Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveller, and USA Today, and have made Jiayi even more passionate about what she does.

Check out Jiayi’s Uzbekistan photos and much more at The Diary of a Nomad  

The Evolista

After a career in entertainment advertising for 15 years, Jen and Guy’s passion for adventurous vacations around the world turned into a full fledged adventure travel blog called The Evolista. It made perfect sense because these two have traveled to 40+ countries and all 50 states.

Their travel is all about bucket list experiences, whether it’s ballooning in Turkey, riding camels across the Sahara or walking the Great Wall in China. They love meeting interesting people and actively seeing as much of the planet as possible. You’ll find them catching sunrise in the Wadi Rum desert, or trying to talk to people who don’t speak their language, but not by the pool at an all inclusive beach hotel.

Their photography is about capturing the feeling of the experience so that readers can see themselves in various locations. Jen is usually the explorer and Guy is capturing the moment.

With no prior photography experience in a world full of professional photographers, Guy just keeps taking it to the next level and trying to up his photo game. That has involved a crazy drone crash and waking up before the crack of dawn more times that they care to admit, all in hopes of getting that perfect shot.

Find Jen and Guy at The Evolista

Waffles and Lamingtons

Theo and Lynsey met while both travelling solo through the backpacking paradise that is Central America , so Waffles and Lamingtons was born as a passion project. A way of sharing their enthusiasm for photography in some of t he most beautiful places in the world .

Originally from Australia and Belgium, the couple are constantly on the look out for their next adventure with a special appeal for those countries that provide an unfamiliar cultural experience.

While their amazing travel blog has a clear focus on photography, Lynsey and Theo also compose stories from their travels. Their writing provides both a factual guide to exploring the destination and a personal account of their experience in that country. Reading their blogs provides just the detail needed to prepare you for your next adventure.

Having recently spent a considerable amount of time exploring Morocco ’s labyrinth-like medinas and the dramatic landscapes of Iceland , the couple’s unique representation of the extremities that come within these countries beautifully represents their work.

Check out their travel photography blog at Waffles and Lamingtons .

Wander-Lush

Founded in 2015 by Australian journalist Emily Lush, Wander-Lush is a culture-focused travel blog that aims to shine a light on lesser-visited destinations in the South Caucasus, the Balkans, and Southeast Asia. With a background in fair trade and international development, Emily’s driving goal is to promote sustainable community tourism in these regions.

Alongside detailed, thoughtful travel guides that focus on small businesses and culturally immersive experiences, Wander-Lush has become a platform for visual storytelling. Emily is a self-taught photographer whose passion for street photography , portraits, and capturing architecture has developed organically as her blog has grown. As a writer who’s accustomed to hiding behind her laptop, learning to step out into the world with her camera has been a life-changing process.

As a traveller, Emily loves learning about different cultures through traditions, festivals, foods, handicrafts and material cultures – and these are the topics you can often find documented on her beautiful travel blog. Her photography has also been published by Conde Nast Traveller, CNN Arabic, Passion Passport, Elle Vietnam, and others.

See Emily’s photos from her current home base, Georgia, and beyond at  Wander-Lush .

A World To Travel

After studying, volunteering and working their way around the world; the Galician couple Inma Gregorio and Jose Martinez launched the highly visual sustainable lifestyle and travel blog A World to Travel in 2012 to share their experiences around the world, passion for festivals and unique events, the great outdoors, and all things responsible tourism.

From the beginning, one of its main focuses was photography. Be it landscape, music festivals, architecture, and even portraiture for some special projects like his series ‘Humans in Indonesia’; their images – except on rare occasions in black and white – are colourful and bring to life a pleasant world, where the human figure usually only gives the scale and donates the prominence to what surrounds us, which usually deserves it more. You will like it if the idea of ‘tiny people in big places’ seduces you.

They have been featured in some of the world’s largest print and TV media including the BBC, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet. In addition, they collaborate with other great travel outlets on a regular basis. More recently A World to Travel has been awarded as the most responsible travel blog of the year in their home country, Spain.

Explore their site at A World To Travel

Continent Hop

Continent Hop is a travel, culture and food blog that focuses heavily on photography. While you will find numerous beautiful landscape pictures that accompany detailed guides, you will also find equally stunning food photos!

A multi-nominated blogger and journalist, Lavina loves street photography, and so Continent Hop contains many candid moments from the street, sometimes portraits taken with permission. 

Lavina always loved photography; however, only when she established Continent Hop in 2015 did she realise she could showcase these on a website rather than put them up only on Facebook.

While you will find the occasional popular destinations, Lavina prefers capturing photos that go hand in hand with a story. Destinations that have something to share that not many people are aware of, interesting conversations from the road, and ingredients that talk about secrets passed on from generation to generation are some of the moments Lavina aims to capture with her casual yet breathtaking style. 

Find Lavina at  Continent Hop

The Coastal Campaign

The Coastal Campaign is a travel photography blog with a focus on aerial travel photography. Luke and Roxy’s passion for aerial photography began in 2016 while living in Western Australia . Being surrounded by beautiful beaches, they soon realised the coastline was even more stunning when viewed from above. They honed their skills while living there and their passion for aerial photography and travel naturally evolved into their travel photography blog.

While travelling, Luke and Roxy are always searching for the most beautiful, off the beaten path beaches they can find. Capturing photos of these places with no other tourists motivates them to get up at sunrise when they visit a new place to have it all to themselves. When you visit their blog expect to see a stunning range of remote beaches from Australia and Asia, with a real focus on Western Australia and the Philippines. 

While they also shoot from handheld cameras, they feel their best work is done from the air. The picture below was taken at Bon Bon Beach on Romblon Island. It took 4 days, an internal flight, 3 ferries and several local busses to reach this isolated paradise.

Follow Luke and Roxy’s adventures at The Coastal Campaign .

Finding Alexx

Alexx is a solo female traveller who explores the world with her trusty tripod in tow. Her travel photography is all about finding bright and colourful photo spots, capturing epic experiences, sharing the funkiest places to stay and discovering the best food to eat.

Travelling alone can make taking photos tough, but with a decent tripod, a reasonably cheap photography kit, a bit of research and some early morning wake ups, Alexx manages to snap some brilliant photos of famous landmarks, stunning scenery and hidden gems.

She talks a lot about the best entry-level photography gear , phones and accessories for people interested in taking their travel snaps to the next level, as well as her research and shooting process which lets her capture photos solo while avoiding both huge crowds and risky situations (like passing your phone to a stranger!). She’s also super passionate about ensuring destination photos are realistic and representative of a destination, to avoid the all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment when somewhere you visit looks nothing like the photos.

Visit her travel photography blog for destination guides with wanderlust-inducing photos , practical photography tips and a healthy dose of the realities behind long-term solo travel.

You can find Alexx at Finding Alexx.

Bobo & Chichi 

Megan Indoe and Scott Herder run the travel photography blog and resource Bobo & Chichi which is full of informative travel guides, photography, and unique hyperlapse/hyperflow videos.

Scott Herder, in addition to being one half of the Bobo & Chichi team, is an award winning professional videographer and travel photographer who has worked not only with destinations from all over the world but also with globally known brands on their own digital marketing content. Their specialty style is known as hyperlapse or hyperflow photography, which Scott also teaches to aspiring filmmakers who want to learn this style. 

This style blends timelapse, hyperlapse, and video footage into a unique type of video that bends and plays with time showcasing the changes from day to night in just a few seconds. Their destination films alone take over 100+ hours to make from planning, filming, and editing with a result that shows off a destination like you’e never seen before.

Check them out at Bobo & Chichi .

Chasing Lenscapes

Chasing Lenscapes is the love child of Sari and Maya, two sisters and photographers who have a passion for travel, culture and food (not necessarily in that order). They have been documenting their travels for years and finally decided to turn their passion into a career after completing their photography studies.

What can you find on Chasing Lenscapes? Travel and photography guides with useful tips on how to plan the perfect weekend getaway or where to find the best photography locations. This travel photography blog aims to show you the best parts of a city, the coolest neighbourhoods, local restaurants and hidden gems and to inspire you to travel the world.

If you love trendy city guides or you’re looking to discover off the beaten path locations,  and maybe you are looking for some tips to improve your photography or want to know how to find local artisans and find the best viewpoints, you are going the love these guides and inspirational photo essays.

Find them at Chasing Lenscapes .

Shoot from the Trip

Dylan Jones founded his travel photography blog Shoot from the Trip in 2017, as a platform to share his passion for photography and travel. Having travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US, the site covers a wide range of destinations with a heavy focus on the outdoors and mountain landscapes.

Being a fan of photography from the likes of Ansel Adams, Dylan’s passion to head out to the Western US National Parks had been present from a young age, and to be able to capture those same dramatic landscapes within the United States was a dream come true. 

Shoot from the Trip covers a wide range of destinations as well as mountain scenes. From city breaks, all-inclusive beach resorts , ancient Italian towns or theme parks and attractions, there is something to suit everyone. Having recently relocated back to North Wales on the edges of Snowdonia, expect more stunning landscape scenery and stories in the coming months.

See Dylan’s work at Shoot From The Trip .

Bronwyn Townsend

Bronwyn Townsend is a travel photographer and writer sharing curated destination guides, itineraries, and photography tips. With more than a decade of experience and visiting 50 countries across five continents, she specialises in European and Japanese travel inspiration.

Her photography style focuses on a mix of cityscapes and nature, helping transport readers to the historic streets of Europe’s Old Towns or the beauty of Japan’s autumn landscapes. Now based in London, her love affair with a camera began on a three-month family road trip around her home in Australia, where she learned to understand the power of light while photographing Uluru with her dad at sunset.

Since then, her work has graced the pages of publications like National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveler, ELLE, and Lodestars Anthology. From grand moments like capturing the orca migration among frozen fjords in Norway to the empty streets of Kanazawa at sunrise, Bronwyn’s images are all about showcasing some of the world’s most incredible destinations.

Determined to inspire travellers to find beauty wherever they go, her blog is also full of handy travel tips and recommendations, including advice on when and where to visit for the best photography opportunities. 

Check out her work at BronwynTownsend.com .

Delve Into Europe

David Angel has been a professional travel photographer for over 20 years. He has had many thousands of images published in media worldwide over this time, and undertaken many commissioned assignments in the UK and Europe.

He also worked as commissioning editor and art director for one of the UK’s main national tourism bodies for 14 years, during which time he continued to freelance. This experience informed and influenced his photography, as he worked with some of the best photographers in the UK, collaborating with and directing photographers with specialisms from lifestyle to press to landscape.

David is completely self-taught, and has considered himself a landscape and location photographer first and foremost. When photographing well-known locations, he always tries to produce something different, his mantra being to look for the photograph within the photograph. He has always loved to photograph architecture, and specialized in night photography from the outset of his career. He loves photographing Prague, where he currently lives, and other cities he enjoys photographing include Venice, London and Sydney.

The subject matter of his travel photography blog has meant branching out to include more diverse content, from cafes and street scenes to details of locations. He says he never switches off, always mentally composing images wherever he goes – which is especially true in Prague.

Check out his work at Delve Into Europe .

Divergent Travellers

If you’re landing on the homepage of travel photography blog Divergent Travelers, prepare to be transported to some of the most beautiful and interesting places on the planet. Multiple award-winning travel photographer Lina Stock, along with her husband David, illustrate stories and travel guides from more than 100 countries on all 7 continents with stunning photography.

From a very young age, Lina was drawn to photography and learned quickly to delineate between the poor-quality photos her tiny film camera produced and that of the SLR Pentax her mother carried with her. It didn’t take long until she was mastering the art of photographing subjects with that SLR in hand.

For many years she shot photos as an amateur, simply for the pleasure of creating pretty images, before ultimately turning professional and pursuing the career and lifestyle she has today in travel content creation.

When asked about her specialties, she doesn’t hesitate to state that while photographing unique wildlife and off-beat destinations around the globe is her passion, she cannot be pulled away from an epic landscape either. The beauty of photographing travel is the ever-changing amount of subjects and scenarios that are present, making it the perfect genre for someone that loves to be on the move.

Find Lina’s work at Divergent Travelers .

Anywhere We Roam

Mark and Paul from Anywhere We Roam specialise in natural travel photography; capturing wildlife hotspots, immersive landscapes and off-the-beaten track destinations. With a thirst for adventure, their photography is an invitation to gain unique experiences and enduring travel memories.  

With little attention on big sights or famous Instagram hotspots, Anywhere We Roam focuses the lens on less visited destinations with a story to tell. Their travel blog is a journey through moments that inspire and experiences that enthral, engaging the senses and recreating the emotion of being somewhere completely new. In doing so their travel photography blog encourages a deeper look at different cultures and different ways of life.

Anywhere We Roam is no ordinary photo and travel blog. It’s breath-taking scenery on relatively unknown hiking trails; it’s close encounters with some of the world’s most precious wildlife; it’s local characters and their collective stories; it’s the joy of simple travel experiences. It’s photography in the moment; inspiration for future adventures.  

Visit them at Anywhere We Roam .

Eat Live Travel Drink

Nicole Sunderland is a travel and food photographer from Washington, D.C. whose main focus is beautiful destinations, luxury hotels and a lot of landscapes and sunsets. She uses a drone and a Canon DSLR to make the majority of her photos which she posts on her travel photography website.

Her main focus is to shoot beautiful imagery with no people in them and do light editing so that the viewer can truly understand what to expect when they visit. Not having people in 95% of her images is what has helped her stand out in the travel photography industry. Most photographers take photos with them as the focal point of the image. From the beginning her focus was always to keep her photographs clean and with no people so the viewer could really picture themselves there. 

Another thing she focuses on in her travels is food. Not a lot of travel photographers do both, but there is no denying that food and travel go hand in hand. Often people want to know what they can eat at resorts/hotels or restaurant recommendations for cities they are visiting. Same process, she takes these photos with no people in them and close up or flatlays.

Find Nicole at Eat Live Travel Drink .

Trimm Travels

Trimm Travels is a travel photography blog focusing on all aspects of travel photography but with specialities in wildlife, aerial, and nighttime cityscapes. When visiting the site, readers can expect to find a photography menu divided into a variety of categories. Additionally, there is an average of 30-50 photos per post with a writing style that supports the photos vs the photos supporting the writing.

Categories include aerial, cityscapes, natural landscapes, tropical, and wildlife, and are updated periodically. Aerials are mostly shot from windows of commercial flights while featured wildlife shots are obtained unbaited in the wild.

This site focuses on colorful photography. Whether that is shimmering city lights dancing on the water at night or an array of colorful bowls and rugs found in markets across the world, Trimm Travels’ photography is meant to invoke a sense of colorful, meaningful influence without changing the natural colors of scenery. 

Photography guides are part of Trimm Travels, a North American Travel Journalist Association photography award winner. Readers can find inspiration for their own photos as well as how to obtain the best shots for iconic locations. The desire is to help other travel photography enthusiasts achieve their goals! 

Visit Trimm Travels to find out more.

As a photographer, the visual experience is central to Jodie’s travel blog, Alajode. As well as having an entire section dedicated to travel photography, she uses her photography to bring all of her other posts to life. 

Since Jodie’s travel blog focuses on responsible travel and ecotourism, wildlife photography features heavily in many of her posts. She often travels to see wildlife and share advice for how others can do the same. From the rainforests of Borneo and the depths of the Okavango Delta in Botswana , to the remote Galapagos Islands, Jodie has travelled all over the world to photograph endangered and unique wildlife, and then share them with her readers through both words and images.  

If you also love wildlife, you’ll love scrolling through her wildlife-focused posts. Otherwise, you’re sure to enjoy her guided itineraries and the epic landscape photos that accompany them. 

Check out Jodie’s travel photography at Alajode .

Experiencing the Globe

In her photo and travel blog, Coni, a Chilean freelance photographer, allows us to be part of her journey through her pictures and stories. Her goal is to inspire people to travel more sustainably, which translates even to her travel photos. As a Human Rights lawyer turned travel writer, her main interest is portraits. She’s going around the world trying to make people understand that there’s only one human race, and we’re all part of it – no matter where we happened to be born.

She’s been to 50+ countries in 5 continents, always looking for the unexplored treasures along the way, guided by her wonderful travel experiences bucket list. You’ll be transported from Iran to Bosnia & Herzegovina, stopping in places like Armenia and Ukraine. Beware – you’ll be booking your next trip within the first ten minutes of browsing!

Enjoy the experience at Experiencing the Globe .

Finding The Universe

Finding the Universe, by photographer Laurence Norah and his wife Jessica, is a travel photography blog which has been live since 2010. The site helps people plan trips to destinations all around the world, and is also filled with useful and practical travel photography tips and advice. There are also thousands of photos from all around the world, for those looking for a bit of travel inspiration.

Laurence particularly loves to shoot remote landscapes, and enjoys getting out into nature and capturing the world in all its beauty. He’s been a passionate photographer for over 30 years, and his work has been published in print and online in major publications, including the BBC and CNN. Laurence believes anyone can learn to take great photos, and has written a great many guides to improving your photography, which you can read on his site.

Learn more at  Finding The Universe .

It’s All Trip To Me

It’s All Trip To Me is a travel photography blog run by writer Maria and photographer Katerina. On this website, photos are not just there to fill the gaps and provide interruptions to huge blocks of writing, but they are a vital part of the actual storytelling. Katerina’s travel photography adds value to the stories told, brings life to the most precious travel memories and inspires the readers’ future adventures. 

As a travel photographer, Katerina is particularly fond of landscape photography. She makes use of special moments during the day, such as the golden hour, in order to capture the scenery in the most stunning colours. She also loves to shoot incredible night scenes and is known for having a soft spot for long exposure shots as well.

Visiting this site, you should expect nothing less than top-quality photos of gorgeous natural settings, fascinating urban scenes and unique travel moments, all painted in the most enchanting colours and taken on a camera rather than a cell phone. Last but not least, It’s All Trip To Me will soon feature a special section dedicated to travel photography which will include photography tips as well as inspirational articles about the best photo locations around the world

Find Maria and Katerina at It’s All Trip To Me .

Meandering Wild

Meandering Wild is a travel photography blog combining wildlife encounters, wild places and road trips.  The emphasis is on exploring the more remote areas of the planet and creating photographs that help save your memories. 

As well as sharing beautiful locations the blog shares insights into how photographs were taken and how this can be replicated with whatever camera you have available. The photography tutorials are simple and can be applied to any camera from a phone to a DSLR. The whole blog focusses on our environment, our place within that environment and how photography can preserve memories, the landscape and the wildlife we find.

Find Suzanne at Meandering Wild .

Travel With Kat

On her travel and photo blog, Travel With Kat, Kathryn shares her passion for discovering new countries, cultures and cuisines. With a background in graphic design and photography while working within the travel industry, as you might expect, her site is packed full of wonderful images from her adventures around the world. She started her blog initially just for fun and soon found a new passion for writing. In 2017, Kathryn was delighted to win the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Blogger of the Year. Being dyslexic, this is an award she’s particularly proud of. 

Kathryn’s most recent blog post is a celebration of the wildlife of Borneo, where she was lucky enough to photograph such animals as orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants in the wild. If you’re an animal lover, be sure to also check out her images from Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest and Clayoquot Sound. Architecture, land, and city spaces as well as people, all feature on her blog, as does her home county of West Sussex in England. 

Guides to local cuisine are another popular topic – her site is oozing with mouth-watering food imagery. It’s probably best not to visit on an empty stomach!

Check out her Borneo photos and much more at Travel With Kat .

Follow Me Away

Victoria and Terrence are the duo behind Followmeaway.com and the Follow Me Away Project. Terrence is the primary photographer and Victoria does the drone photography and writing.

They travel the world and shoot fairytale-esque travel blog photography in different landscapes wearing capes, long dresses and more. Most photos are shot from behind so the viewer can place themselves in the composition, and so that the emotion of the person in the photo doesn’t take away from the viewer imagining themselves in the location. Their favourite places for travel photography are Iceland and Ireland.

Follow their adventures at Follow Me Away

Travel? Yes Please!

Rhonda Krause is a travel photographer based in Edmonton, Canada who shares her work on Travel? Yes Please!, a travel photography blog that provides independent travellers with destination inspiration and advice.

Photography takes centre stage on Travel? Yes Please! as each article is illustrated with a large selection of pictures. It’s a priority of Rhonda’s to showcase each destination with quality photographs because she believes that pictures have the power to inspire people to travel like nothing else. 

On Rhonda’s website you’ll find sharp, bright, vibrant pictures of landscapes, architecture and wildlife. Aside from the odd black and white photograph, most of her work is edited to reflect how the scene looked in real life. Rhonda’s specialty is making the viewer feel like they are part of the scene by filling the frame with her subject, creating a sense of depth, and using leading lines.

You can find Rhonda at Travel? Yes Please!

Trip & Trail

Chris is a travel photographer with an affinity for adventure, as well as the documentation of everyday life and local culture in foreign countries. His projects are usually a series of images interweaved and sequenced to narrate a story, with smaller separate stories frequently being unfolded inside each image.

A brief look into his portfolio reveals a multi-genre background which includes everything from street photography, to landscape and portraiture. The fact that travel photography is an amalgam of many photography genders is what drew him to shoot travel from the beginning.

Chris is also the founder of Trip & Trail, a photography travel blog where he regularly publishes his stories and photo essays. His compositions are characterized by strong lines and are many times defined by the presence of strong human element, or the complete lack of it. He shoots in both colour and black and white.

To see more, head over to Trip & Trail .

The Wayward Walrus

The Wayward Walrus is a display of quirky travel tales as told by owner Alex, a native to sunny Florida, solo female world traveler and avid music enthusiast. Her little slice of cyberspace was birthed through her desire to capture and share the beautiful sights and sounds this world of ours has to offer. The blog is written for those, like Alex, who were the daydreaming, head in the clouds type, always looking for the next adventure.

She began her passion of photography with 35mm film and her high school dark room, learning the basics of photography. Years later, she combined her love of music and travel by working with online music publications to capture scenes and artists from music festivals around the world as festival press. 

After conquering over 30 countries, mostly on her own, Alex has developed a stylized approach to her travel photography. Her photos are often edited to add a surrealistic look to the places she’s visited to represent how she felt there. Most notably, her series “Once Upon A Time” featured on her Instagram (@thewaywardwalrus), utilizes Lightroom and Photoshop to transform her cityscape and architecture photography into dream-like scenes of fantasy.

You can find Alex at The Wayward Walrus .

Engineer on Tour

Through Engineer On Tour Alexander brings you travel photo stories from Europe. There are a large number of posts on Finland and Russia, which are the place he lives and his home country. Unlike most travel photographers, his inspiration doesn’t come from the postcard/magazine style. He was inspired by the photographers of old and modern photojournalists who have been right next to life-changing events with their cameras.

In his travel photography blog, Alexander shows the things that he considers most significant in his region. The photos show the real-life, not the glossed-over postcard-like images. For instance, you will find out how people of Finland choose to be close to nature, how Finns innovate education, what life in St. Petersburg’s inner yards is like, and much more.

For deep travel in high-resolution, as well as camera and lens reviews, visit  Engineer on Tour .

Green Global Travel

The writing/photography team of Bret Love and Mary Gabbett have been traveling and working together for nearly 14 years now. Their impressive resume includes respected media outlets such as  American Way ,  National Geographic , Yahoo Travel, and dozens of airline and hotel magazines around the world. 

The couple shares a passion for travel, outdoor adventure, nature/wildlife conservation, and learning about traditional indigenous cultures. In 2010 they launched their first collaborative blog, Green Global Travel. A year later, their photography and video work was highlighted in a series on the wildlife of the Galapagos for World Wildlife Fund, which led to massive growth for their responsible travel-focused website. 

Having traveled to 50+ countries on 6 continents, the couple loves using their travel photographer website to inspire others to travel more sustainably and protect the planet’s fragile ecosystems, as well as the people and animals who inhabit them. 

Find them at Green Global Travel .

And that’s it! I really hope you’ve enjoyed this countdown of some of my favourite travel photography sites.

Read more travel photography posts

• 25 Best Tips To Improve Your Travel Photography
• Travel photography on the road – my photo editing workflow tips
• 70+ Stunning South Georgia Photography Tips
• How to See and Photograph Puffins in the UK: 20 FAQs
• 19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips For Beginners

No time to read all these travel photography blogs now?

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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...

Sweat And Leather At Chouara Tannery, Morocco

What to do in Assisi, Italy

Santa Catarina Palopo: The Colourful Painted Town In Guatemala

Scotland's isle of may: puffins, beautiful landscapes and more, a perfect sri lanka 2 week itinerary (with stunning photos).

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Photography 101: The Art of Travel Photography

Our guide will help you learn all about travel photography, so you can get out there, explore, and capture great photos!

Capturing the perfect photo is an art form, and there is no better canvas than the world around us.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, travel photography is a great way to explore your creativity and expand your portfolio.

Nowadays with the increase in technology, you don't have to be a professional photographer to get great shots, but capturing awesome photos can take practice, patience, and a bit of luck.

Here are a few travel photography tips to get you started.

Find Your Style

The first step for any travel photographer is finding your photography style.

Do you prefer candid shots or posed?

Black and white or color?

Zoomed in or wide angle?

Once you’ve found your niche, stick with it.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong portfolio.

Travel photography is all about capturing the world around you, so it’s important to find a style that suits your subject matter.

Landscape Photography

If you’re shooting landscapes, for example, you’ll want to focus on composition and light.

Look for interesting lines and shapes, and pay attention to the colors in the scene.

The time of day can also make a big difference in the quality of light, so be sure to experiment with different times of day to get the best results.

Street Photography

Street photography is all about capturing the everyday moments that make up life in a city.

Look for interesting characters and stories, and be sure to get permission before taking any photos of people.

This type of photography can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Portraiture Photography

As any professional travel photographer knows, it’s all about connection for portraits.

You want to capture the essence of your subject, so it’s important to make a connection with them before you start shooting.

Engage in conversation, make them laugh, and put them at ease.

The more comfortable they are, the better your photos will be.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography can be tricky, but it’s also one of the most rewarding genres.

You never know what you’re going to get, so it’s important to be prepared for anything.

Be sure to pack plenty of patience and a long lens, and don’t be afraid to get up close and personal.

Remember, practice makes perfect!

The more you shoot, the better your photos will be.

Action Shots

Professional photographers know that action shots are all about timing.

Whether you’re photographing a surfer catching a wave or a bird in flight, you’ll need to be quick on the trigger to get the shot.

A good way to practice is by setting up a tripod and using the timer function on your camera.

Start with a longer interval like 10 seconds, and then work your way down to shorter intervals as you get more comfortable.

With a little practice, you’ll be capturing amazing travel photos in no time!

Get to Know Your Camera

This may seem like a no-brainer to travel photographers, but it’s important to know all the functions of your camera before heading out on your trip.

Experiment with different camera settings and take practice shots in various lighting conditions.

The more familiar you are with your camera, the better your photos will be, so sharpen your photography skills before you head out.

The last thing you want is to be fumbling with your camera when you should be enjoying the view and capturing amazing travel photographs.

This may be difficult for beginners who want to bring every lens they own, but trust us—less is more when it comes to travel photography gear.

Traveling can be tough on camera equipment, so it’s best to only bring what camera gear you need.

Depending on your style, one camera body and one or two lenses should be sufficient.

And don’t forget extra batteries and memory cards!

Be Prepared

The best way to avoid missed opportunities is to be prepared.

Before heading out on your trip, do some research and make a plan.

Know when the best time of day is to shoot, and be sure to scout out locations in advance.

If you’re shooting landscapes, for example, you’ll want to find a spot with a good vantage point.

And if you’re shooting portraits, it’s always a good idea to have a few backup locations in case your first choice is crowded or doesn’t work out.

By being prepared, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and come home with amazing travel photos.

Above all, remember to have fun!

Photography should be enjoyable, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get the perfect shot.

The best photos often come from candid moments, so relax and let the picture happen naturally.

Capturing Travel Photography

Now that you know some photography tips for beginners, get out there and start exploring your travel photography journey!

With these tips in mind and a little practice, and you’re ready to start capturing beautiful travel photos.

Remember to have fun and experiment—that’s half the battle.

The world is full of possibility, so get out there and start exploring!

And who knows?

Maybe one day your work will grace the walls of a gallery with other professional travel photographers or end up in someone’s living room as a cherished piece of art.

So, pack your bags , grab your passport, and see where the road takes you!

Create your own adventure and capture precious memories along the way!

Eager to learn more about travel photography? Check out Chris Hau's video!

Now that you know more about travel photography, you're definitely going to want to capture all of the fun memories as you explore the world! If you want to locate exquisite birds easily, head over to Resilient Reviews because Travis' article on the best monocular for bird watching has you covered!

Eager to learn Photoshop in an hour? Check out Scott Kelby's Course for $29 on KelbyOne !

Want even more content about creativity and art?

Be sure to check out all of our creative chronicles !

Interested in photography?

Check out some of our other articles:

- Photography 101

- Light painting

- Pet photography cameras

How Many Fountain Pens Should I Own? Unlocking Elegance and Grace Your Desk

Why Do People Like Fountain Pens So Much? Unveiling the Charm that Captivates People Worldwide

Who Is a Famous Mosaic Artist? Exploring Masters of Mosaic Art

What Makes a Mosaic a Mosaic? Piece by Piece Brilliance

Is Mosaic a Form of Painting? Exploring the Artistic Landscape

Why Is It Called Mosaic Art? Unlocking the Mysteries

Level Up Your Travel Photography With These Content Creator Must-Haves

T raveling is about collecting memories that last a lifetime and snapping amazing travel photos goes right along with that. It’s a great way to document experiences like your first international trip, a baecation, or the destination that forever changed your life. For content creators , capturing the best travel photos is a way of life and can even be a lucrative one. However, learning how to master travel photography is a major step. That’s where the proper gear comes in.

It’s absolutely possible to snap beautiful travel photos with a phone, but sometimes you need a bit more. Proper lighting can make or break a photo and, of course, you need a lens that captures those sharp details. Also, for solo travelers, a tripod is an absolute must.

For anyone looking to step up their content creator game, here are a few travel photography must-haves.

Newmowa LED Rechargeable Light

A photo is only as good as its light source and while it’s not exactly practical to travel with an entire light setup, this is a portable option. You may have seen this viral product on TikTok and for good reason. The clip-on light is the size of a cell phone but has an impressive 10 levels of darkness and three modes. When a natural light source just isn’t enough, attach this to your phone or camera and snap away.

ATUMTEK 65″ Selfie Stick Tripod

For solo travelers who have to take their own travel photos, this compact tripod has you covered. When not in use, it’s less than 13 inches tall, but it spans 65 inches when fully erect. The base of the tripod has a non-slip grip so you can be sure your phone is secure. Also, built into the base of the tripod is a removable Bluetooth remote. Use this as your clicker even when you’re up to 33 feet away.

Beikell Dual Connector SD Card Reader

The only thing worse than not getting the shot is snapping amazing photos, but you run out of storage or lose images because they’re not backed up. A simple, and affordable way to avoid that is with this SD Card Reader. It makes it easy and quite fast to transfer photos between your camera and laptop, tablet, or phone. In a matter of seconds, your gorgeous pics can be uploaded safely. 

Canon EOS M50 Mark II Content Creator Kit

When you’re really ready to upgrade your travel photography game but not exactly ready to purchase heavy-duty lenses that cost thousands of dollars, here’s your happy medium. Canon’s Content Creator Kit has the essentials to take sharp photos that you’ll cherish forever. The 24-megapixel camera has an easy-to-use touchscreen and the flip screen is ideal for recording vlogs. Included in the kit is a microphone for clear audio and a tripod to help you get those steady shots.

Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone

If you’ve ever seen those beautiful aerial photos and wondered how they did that, it was most likely with a drone. The device can take some jaw-dropping photos and videos. This beginner-friendly drone captures images with a 4K camera and has a control range of 3000 feet. Don’t worry about losing the gear, as it has features to return to you with the press of a single button or when the battery is low.

Our editors love finding you the best products and offers! If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Home > United States > 40 Most Instagrammable Places in San Jose, CA: Photo Spots in San Jose

40 Most Instagrammable Places in San Jose, CA: Photo Spots in San Jose

By Dymphe / April 16, 2023

The most Instagrammable places in San Jose are perfect for photography! If you want to take pictures in California, the photo spots in San Jose are amazing!

San Jose is a great city in the United States that's very nice to travel to. It's the largest city in Northern California and you can find it in Santa Clara Valley.

If you want to go to a city with many things to do and to see, this place is perfect! For example, the San Jose Museum of art is great.

Also, the photo spots in San Jose are incredible. For that reason, it's great to travel there if you want to take wonderful pictures. The San Jose Instagram spots feature flowers, lots of colors, views, and more.

So there's definitely something in the city you'll love for photography! To make sure you find the best locations, I made this list of the 40 most Instagrammable places in San Jose!

Table of Contents

1. Flowers at San Jose Municipal Rose Garden

One of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose is the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden.

Here you find a beautiful garden with lots of roses.

These roses are wonderful to capture.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌙 Mary | Fashion | Beauty (@mary.bears)

Flowers are always great for taking photos, as they make your photos very happy!

Besides that, it is also a great way to add some color to your photos. This is one of the most colorful photo spots in San Jose for sure.

For example, the garden is great if you want to add some red to your photos!

But the roses at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden come in different colors! You also find here yellow, white, and more colors of roses, which is awesome!

You can stand in front of some of the roses and surround yourself with them when taking pictures.

2. Instagrammable Welcome to San Jose Mural

The next one of the Instagrammable places in San Jose is great if you like blue.

One of the best murals in the city of San Jose is definitely this one.

Here you can see the text "Welcome to San Jose". This is great text for photos. The text makes this one of the best photo spots in San Jose!

That's because the mural allows you to create your own postcard from the city!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kirstie Chan 🌻 (@kfclovesyou)

You can stand in front of the mural and be part of the postcard yourself!

Another lovely thing about the mural is the color of the wall. It is a very bright shade of blue that lets you take very colorful photos here!

Besides that, the color of the letters matches very well with the color of the wall!

3. Mural at K-Café Patisserie & Tea House

At K-Café Patisserie & Tea House you find this lovely mural. This venue is great if you want to have tea when you are in the city of San Jose. Moreover, it is the perfect spot for a high tea!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by K-Café Patisserie & Tea House (@kcafeteahouse)

On the wall, you can see the outside of a K Café. This is lovely to capture, as it is a very realistic drawing. It almost looks like you are standing in front of a window when you take photos here! This is one of the cutest photo spots in San Jose.

Besides that, the colors are lovely. The green color looks beautiful with the brown colors in the photo.

Another great aspect of this one of the Instagrammable places in San Jose is that you can sit in front of it! This makes it possible to do all kinds of sitting poses!

4. Instagrammable Palm Trees at San Jose Museum of Art

The San Jose Museum of Art is an amazing art museum in the city that is worth seeing when you are here!

If you like palm trees, this is one of the best photo spots in San Jose. At the San Jose Museum of Art, you find these lovely palm trees.

These palm trees make this one of the best San Jose Instagram spots for sure!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tracy Paige (@tracy_paige)

That's because the palm trees look very pretty. They are very tall, which is great! Moreover, because of the length, they appear in front of the sky in your photos. The color green and the blue color of the sky look awesome together!

Also, the front of the museum itself is great to capture as well. You can see here white letters surrounded by a red gradient, which is beautiful! That's also why it's one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

Furthermore, the building of the museum features a lot of repeating elements. This looks great in the photos you take here!

5. San Pedro Square Market

San Pedro Square Market is a place where you can find many food vendors. This is a great way to try out new food when you are in the city of San Jose.

Besides that, it is also a very photogenic place and one of the best photo spots in San Jose!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Visit San Jose (@visitsanjose)

When you stand in front of the building, you can capture the name of the place, which is great.

It is great to show you are at this place in your photos. Furthermore, the letters have a great color.

What's great is that the color of the letters repeats in other elements of the building.

Another great thing about this place is the blue vintage car that stands in front of the building. This is a great car to pose in front of!

6. San Jose Flower Mural

Here is another one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose that features a pretty mural!

There are flowers here with the name of the city in the middle of it. This makes it immediately clear you are in the city of San Jose.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yvette ☕️Coffee | OC Blogger (@lipsticksnlattess)

Besides that, the flowers add a very happy feeling to all the photos you take here, which is awesome!

To make the best photos here, make sure to stand in the middle of the mural!

You can find the mural in downtown San Jose at 21 North 3rd Street.

7. Instagrammable Arch With Red Flowers in San Jose

Here's another one of the best photo spots in San Jose that you can find at the Rose Garden.

Inside the Rose Garden, you find this beautiful arch with roses.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wen | Travel Content Creator✈️ (@wen_the_travel_begins)

What's great about this spot is that you can surround yourself with roses. That way your photo is full of roses!

Besides that, the color of the roses makes your photos very happy. The red and pink colors of the flowers look very pretty!

A fun way to pose here is when you hold some roses yourself. That way you are completely part of the photo! You can also stand behind the arch, making the flowers look even bigger.

Also, it is great to wear something that features the colors red and pink. So if you like red and pink, it's definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose!

8. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph

You can find the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in downtown San Jose. This is one of the best San Jose Instagram spots for sure!

This is a beautiful building that is great for your Instagram feed.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @erin_deleon

It is a very stylish place with lots of classical elements and white stone. This is great if you want to take some neutral, but stylish photos!

When taking photos here, consider wearing something formal to make more elegant pictures!

9. Lick Observatory

Another one of the best Instagrammable places in San Jose is Lick Observatory.

You find this place on the summit of Mount Hamilton. This is a mountain that you can find about 20 miles from the city center of San Jose.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JOANA KAIMI (@joanakaimi)

From here, you can get an amazing view of the surrounding area! If you love gorgeous views, this place is definitely one of the best photo spots in San Jose.

In the background, you can see many mountains, which is great!

Furthermore, there is a lot of beautiful nature at this place, which is great to capture as well.

Another lovely aspect of this place is that you can visit it during sunset. Then, you can capture the sun going down, which looks magical from the mountain!

10. Pretty Displays at Eastridge Mall

Eastridge Mall is the perfect place if you want to go shopping when you are in San Jose. But there is more than shopping! You also find here some of the best photo spots in San Jose.

That's because there are beautiful store displays, like this one.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daisy🌸 (@daisyydanielaxo)

This mural features a lot of white and pink flowers, which look amazing.

Furthermore, there is a lot of green nature.

What I like about this spot is that it covers your whole photo!

11. Santana Row

Santana Row is another great place if you want to go shopping in San Jose.

At Santana Row, you find a lot of shops and restaurants that are great to visit.

Besides that, this is one of the San Jose Instagram spots.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kᴀʀᴇɴ Yᴇʀᴀ Vᴀʟᴇɴᴄɪᴀ (@karenyera)

You find here a lot of colorful elements that look wonderful in all the photos you take here.

Also, there are palm trees in the background that give your photos a feeling of summer, which is great!

So if you are looking for one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose for a summer vibe, go here!

12. Communication Hills Grand Staircase: Instagrammable View in San Jose

The Communication Hills Grand Staircase is another one of the best photo spots in San Jose.

From here, you have a wonderful view of the city of San Jose. You can see many of the houses from up here!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ༺ 林嘉欣༻ (@_.samante._)

Furthermore, the staircase is a perfect place for taking elegant photos.

That's because the stone railing looks very classical.

You can pose in front of the railing and have the view behind you for the best photos!

13. Palm Trees at San Jose State University

Another one of the best most Instagrammable places in San Jose is at the San Jose State University!

Here you find a road with palm trees next to it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BRI ♌️ (@briannaelisethompson)

These palm trees add a feeling of summer to all the photos you take here, which is great!

Also, there are several palm trees next to each other, which makes it an even more special spot!

14. Terrace of Nirvana Soul

If you are looking for a place with great coffee while you are in San Jose, go here! Nirvana Soul is a lovely coffee shop in the city.

Besides that, it is also one of the best San Jose Instagram spots.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nirvana Soul (@nirvanasoulcoffee)

That's because the front of the coffee shop is very photogenic.

You can see here the logo of the coffee shop!

This is a beautiful logo that features the name of the place and what they do. Moreover, the color of the letters is very pretty! This terrace is one of the prettiest photo spots in San Jose for sure.

What's great is that you can sit in front of the coffee shop at a table next to the window. That way you can take the best photos here!

15. Wings at Myth Taverna & Lounge

You find this next one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose at Myth Taverna & Lounge.

Here you can see this amazing mural that features wings.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vic m. (@leodoescardio)

These white wings are great for taking Instagram photos.

You can stand in the middle of the wings, and pretend they are yours, which is awesome! The wings belong to the best Instagram photo spots in San Jose because they are so cute!

Also, the colors at this spot are lovely. They are very simple, which is great if you want to take neutral photos!

16. Japanese Friendship Garden San Jose

The Japanese Friendship Garden in San Jose is a beautiful place to visit.

You can go here for a relaxing stroll while wandering through nature you find there.

Besides that, it's also one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

There are many plants and trees that are great to pose in front of!

Furthermore, there are many walking paths through the garden, which makes it easy to do so!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by katie takemoto (@katie.takemoto)

17. In Front of the San Jose Museum of Art

You can also take photos in front of the San Jose Museum of Art and have the whole building in one shot!

Furthermore, you can capture the large building next to it, which looks great!

What's great as well is that there are palm trees in this shot too.

Another great aspect of this one of the San Jose Instagram spots is that there is a sculpture. This sculpture is very colorful and is lovely to take photos with! The colorful sculpture makes it one of the best photo spots in San Jose.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Isabelle Du (@isabelle.du)

18. Pillars at Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

The pillars at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum are amazing for your Instagram feed. You should definitely go to this place if you want to get a unique photo in San Jose!

What's great about this one of the best photo spots in San Jose is that the pillars have a lot of decorations.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keerthi Nirmal✨ (@keerthirakesh)

Also, the pillars are very symmetrical, which looks great in the photos you take here! The symmetry makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

Furthermore, the color of the pillars is very beautiful and elegant!

19. Instagrammable Murals at Eastridge Mall in San Jose

At the Eastridge Mall, you find another one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

That's because on the outside of the mall you find these lovely murals.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Patricia Rubio (@mrspatrubio)

There are several murals that each are great for taking pictures!

What's great is that the murals feature many colors and many different patterns. This makes it possible to take a variety of colorful pictures at this spot!

Also, you can take both photos from the side and from the front. Both options are great for taking photos here!

20. Inside Nirvana Soul

Nirvana Soul is not only great from the outside, it is also lovely when you go inside! That's because the interior of the coffee shop is very photogenic.

This is another reason why Nirvana Soul is one of the best photo spots in San Jose!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Francesca Mota ♌︎ (@francesca_mota)

The most prominent feature of the interior is the pink ceiling. This color is very pretty and great if you want to take pink photos when you are in the city of San Jose!

Also, what's great is that the coffee cups match the color of the ceiling. This is a small detail to add to your photos, but it looks awesome!

21. Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose: Instagrammable Place With Lots of Colors

At the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose , you find some beautiful colorful spots.

These San Jose Instagram spots you find here are great if you want to take happy photos when you are in the city!

What's great as well is that the pattern is very diverse. This makes for some very fun photos!

You can stand in front of the colorful elements, and have color surround you, which is awesome!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by YumiLi_🌽 (@richyumili)

22. Garden of Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

The garden of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is nice for taking photos when you are in San Jose.

The garden features a lot of green nature, which is great if you want to add that color to your Instagram feed!

Also, it is always great to add nature to your shots!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ALYSSA BROOKE (@missalyssa_brooke)

For example, you can stand in front of a large palm tree here.

Another special aspect of the garden is the unique pattern you find here. This makes the place that much more special than a regular garden!

When taking photos here, try to take photos from a bit further away and higher up! That way, you can better capture the pattern of the nature of the garden!

This is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose with nature!

23. Inside K-Café Patisserie & Tea House: Instagrammable Place in San Jose With Flowers

The K-Café Patisserie & Tea House is also great to capture from the inside.

That's because the interior of the tea house is very pretty! There are pink elements everywhere!

Also, there are flowers throughout the place, which is awesome!

The many decorations make this a wonderful place for taking Instagram photos! It is one of the best photo spots in San Jose for capturing beautiful decorations.

Another great thing about this place is that you can sit on the sofa when taking pictures here. This allows you to do some sitting poses!

24. Alum Rock Park

Alum Rock Park is a great park for taking photos!

You find here a lot of nature that is wonderful to see and to take photos of!

It is especially a great place if you want to capture the color green.

Also, the bridge inside of the park looks very photogenic and gives a certain sense of mystery to photos!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝕀𝕧𝕪 ℕ𝕘𝕦𝕪𝕖𝕟 🍃 (@ivy.ng1212)

25. Instagrammable Sign of Hotel de Anza in San Jose

This sign at the Hotel de Anza is one of the best San Jose Instagram spots.

That's because of the colors. The red color of the letters stands out in comparison to the black and dark background! This also makes the sign look a bit mysterious.

The mystery makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

You can take the best photos here when you lower the camera. That way you can capture everything in full, including the sign!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Iconic HOTEL DE ANZA (@hoteldeanza)

26. Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Jose. It's a very interesting place to see. Also, it is one of the best photo spots in San Jose!

That's because of the architecture of the house. This looks very beautiful.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lauren 🌻 (@teachtoblossom)

What's great too is the garden in front of it. This is the perfect place to stand when taking photos at this spot.

That way you can have beautiful nature and the house in one shot, which is great. The trees in the background look amazing.

27. Wings at Tostadas Midtown

For another one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose go to Tostadas Midtown.

Here you find these amazing black wings.

These wings are great to stand in front of, such that it looks like the wings are yours!

Another great thing about the wings is the yellow that surrounds them. These yellow elements add movement to the mural, which looks great!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TOSTADAS #2 (@tostadas.midtown)

28. District San Jose

District San Jose is a bar in the city of San Jose. Next to it, you find this lovely alley, which is one of the best photo spots in San Jose for sure!

The alley is very picturesque. Here you find a lot of plants that look lovely.

Furthermore, there are several lanterns on the wall that are great to capture!

When you wear something black, you can make even better photos! That's because there are also many black elements! That way you match the spot!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Destini G. (@destinigia)

29. Mural at Hotel de Anza

Another lovely spot at Hotel de Anza is this mural.

This is a very large mural that is very photogenic.

It features the face of a woman with many decorations next to it, which looks awesome!

Also, it is a great place to add the color purple to your feed! For those who love purple, it's one of the best San Jose Instagram spots.

The best way to take photos here is if you take them from the side. That's because the mural is rather large, which makes it difficult to capture the mural from the front. From the side, you can get everything in one shot!

30. Instagrammable San Jose Postcard Mural

This mural is great if you want to create another postcard when you are in San Jose! You find this spot at the PricewaterhouseCoopers building.

The mural has the text "Greetings from San Jose" on it, which looks great!

It is the perfect way to appear on your own postcard! It's definitely one of the most unique Instagrammable places in San Jose.

What's great as well is that the letters of the words feature some of the city's highlights, which is awesome!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @camilleconsul

31. Colorful Mural at San Jose Learning Center

If you love colors, the next place is one of the best photo spots in San Jose! You find this colorful mural at the San Jose Learning Center .

It is one of the best San Jose Instagram spots, especially if you want to add some color to your Instagram feed!

There are many different colors on this wall, which look very beautiful!

Also, the pattern of the mural is very unique!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ⓟⓔⓝⓔⓛⓞⓟⓔ (@pennynpennyn)

32. California Theatre in San Jose

The California Theatre is a great venue if you want to attend a show in San Jose. I definitely recommend going here when you are doing a trip to the city!

But if you don't attend a show, it is also a great place for taking photos!

That's because of the photogenic outside of the place!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lizzie Zerebko (@lizziezerebko)

You find here a sign that has the word "California" on it. This sign gives all your photos here a retro feeling

Also, what's great is that you can find modern buildings in the background. This contrast is wonderful to capture!

33. The 55 South

The 55 South is a great lounge to hang out when you are in the city of San Jose. This is a very fun place to visit when you are in the city!

Besides that, it is also one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

That's because of the lights you find here hanging from the ceiling. These lights are great to capture!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 55 South (@the55south)

34. Instagrammable Colorful Terrace in San Jose

The terrace of K-Café Patisserie & Tea House is great to capture as well. You'll love it if you're looking for San Jose Instagram spots!

You find here a lot of colorful objects that are great for taking photos!

There are a lot of blue and pink elements that appear in several places.

What's great is that you can sit on the terrace when taking photos here!

Moreover, what's great is that you can see the name of the tea house in the background!

35. City Hall Rotunda

The City Hall Rotunda is a great industrial building in the city of San Jose. It is one of the best photo spots in San Jose for industrial pictures!

What's great about this spot is that there are so few colors. You can almost only see the color grey here, and a bit of blue from the sky.

If this is something that fits well on your Instagram feed, you should definitely go here!

Also, when taking photos here, consider wearing something grey to fit in!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Erica Leung (@ericuhhhleung)

36. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

The San Jose Center for the Performing Arts is great for taking photos!

At this place, you can attend a show, but you can also only take photos here. The building looks very beautiful.

What's great is that you can see a poster of a musical in the background. This makes it immediately clear what the building behind you is all about!

Another lovely thing about this place is the plants and trees you can see here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Yakima (@dance10amy)

37. SoFA District

This mural at the SoFA District is amazing to capture. It is one of the most Instagrammable places in San Jose if you are looking for a colorful place!

There are lots of colors in this mural, which makes it possible to take some very happy photos!

Also, when you take photos from up close, you can fill your whole photo with color!

What's great is that you find many other murals in the SoFA district. So if you finished taking photos here, you can take photos at another spot!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ankita Arora (@arora.aankita)

38. Monopoly in the Park: Unique Instagrammable Place in San Jose

If you want to find one of the most unique photo spots in San Jose, go here! At Monopoly in the Park, you find the largest game of monopoly, the popular board game.

You can stand on the board, which makes for some great pictures!

When taking photos here, make sure to capture the word 'Monopoly' in your photos. That way everyone will immediately recognize it!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adriana Verduzco Lic# 01272002 (@monopolygrl)

39. Tostadas Midtown Sign

At Tostadas Midtown you can also take lovely photos of the inside. The inside also belongs to the most Instagrammable places in San Jose.

You can stand in front of one of the walls where you can see the name of the restaurant "Tostadas". This is a lovely wooden wall that also features some branches.

I'd definitely recommend having food here and taking some great photos!

40. Instagrammable Pool of Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose

Hotel Valencia at Santana Row is a great place to stay when you are doing a trip to San Jose. You can also take some amazing photos if you're staying there.

The pool of the hotel is great for taking photos! The blue color of the water is lovely to capture.

Furthermore, there are many sun umbrellas and sunbeds, which add a feeling of summer to your feed! So it's one of the best San Jose Instagram spots in summer!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hotel Valencia Santana Row (@hotelvalenciasj)

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Thank you for your interest in my work and services! I have been in business for 13 years, and 4 years ago, I made the decision to focus exclusively on High School Seniors and Teens! I learned I had a growing passion for Seniors and Teens, and my Spokesmodel Program quickly became the heart of my studio! I am so blessed to do what I truly love, and to share that with each of you! I would be so honored to be your chosen Senior and Teen Photographer!

I am so happy to have you here!

I made the choice to specialize exclusively in high school senior and teen photography. i love working with teens, getting to know you personally, and hearing about your future plans and aspirations. every senior and teen is different and deserves a session that is completely unique to you. i absolutely love to capture beauty and personality… to bring out and build on the best version of who you are in this special time of life.  i am so excited to have the opportunity to work with you and cannot wait to capture this important milestone in your life with you and your family., i want to create an unforgettable experience for you and help play a part in building a positive, healthy self image; to help you see how amazing you were created to be, and discovering your unique purpose in the world., xoxo,          alicia.

We live in a Great American Little Town called Galt, located in the Central Valley. Wonderful, down to earth people live here. There is a sense of “family” here even if you aren’t “related.” If you are from this community or have lived here, everyone knows everyone or they are related somehow. This town is like a real life country song where you have momma’s boys, girls who ride dirt bikes and work on the ranch, and high school sweethearts who get “hitched.” What’s great about the area we live in is we are only a few hours away from beautiful destinations like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. My sessions are relaxed, personable and unique to you. I will work closely with you to personalize everything about your session.

Thank you so much for visiting! I'm Alicia and I specialize in High School Senior and Teen Photography in Northern California. 

The girl behind the lens.

Inspiration is everywhere and it whispers my name. I always feel like my best work is yet to come. I have a special love for styling and I get excited to help others find the perfect styles to best compliment their personalities and unique features. I absolutely love the coast and the warm California sun. I'm a dreamer and lover of light. My happy place is with my family, sitting under a palm tree. I am a photojournalist at heart and my mind is always looking for moments to capture. My favorite thing to do is document memories with my family and friends! My favorite snacks are almonds, spinach and arugula. I love pasta and would love to travel to Italy one day. I love to read and learn. I’m a G-rated girl and adore Disney! Fresh flowers and a clean house make me happy. I’m a sucker for comfy blankets and pillows. I love essential oils, and have an oil to use for anything!

Creativity and photography is my calling.

More  about  me.

You were made to be

DARCEY  |  CLIENT mom

The end results exceeded our expectations. I can't stop looking at these amazing pictures and would recommend Alicia to anybody."

“Alicia came very highly recommended to me as a photographer for my daughter’s senior pictures. I had pretty high expectations, and I knew she would have her work cut out for her with my daughter. We met with Alicia and I was immediately impressed with her and how she runs her business.

SHE WAS VERY EASY TO TALK TO

And answered all of my questions and concerns and also guided us effortlessly through this process..

Spokesmodels

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"I am so grateful to Alicia for providing such a 

For her teen spokesmodels and ambassadors through her exceptional acp program", warm and caring environment.

ACP Spokesmodel details

You can expect a custom senior or teen experience that is personal, authentic, beautiful, and all about you. All first time client sessions include and require an in-person consultation for your senior or teen portrait session. Please complete the contact form to schedule your consultation time. Consultations will include questions to get to know you better, your hobbies and interests, your aspirations, styling assistance and suggestions, selecting the best colors to wear for your portraits, professional hair styling and makeup, location options to best fit your personality and style, and a client/model release agreement. A $265 non-refundable retainer fee is required at this time to book your session date. I can’t wait to meet you and work with you!

My entire business is built on Senior and Teen Photography.

Session details.

Reasons to Go Pro

I highly recommend having your hair styled and makeup done by a professional for all of my sessions.

There is a big difference between everyday makeup and camera ready makeup. Everyday makeup is hard to see in high-definition cameras. With professional makeup, you will look natural and glamorous for your portraits.

I have a wonderful team of hair stylists and makeup artists. My team of makeup artists are trained as professional makeup artists who know how to work with camera ready makeup that will elevate your look and polish your portraits beautifully.

My team of makeup artists are educated and skilled to ensure you are getting the best makeup products and colors to enhance your beauty.

You deserve to look and feel your very best for your senior or teen portrait session! Having an elevated look that is camera-ready will ensure just that.

ELIZABETH  |  Spokesmodel mom

I love her unique effect with lighting! Alicia is an amazing and nationally recognized photographer – Modern Teen Style Magazine has listed her in the TOP 25 Most Influential Teen Photographers in the nation – WOW! Alicia is the most perfect role model and mentor for these teens! She is humble, kind, compassionate, encouraging, and so supportive. Beyond taking gorgeous photos, Alicia created a teen network so the girls from different high schools became friends through team bonding and community service events! She is a great example for the teens to be responsible with their use of social media and as they share their ACP photos. We also loved working with her team of Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists, who Alicia designed for each teen the ideal look to best compliment the style and concept for each photo shoot. I am so grateful to Alicia for providing such a warm and caring environment for her Teen Spokesmodels and Ambassadors through her exceptional ACP Program! She has been a true blessing to us in every way! Thank you, thank you!!”

“My daughter and I feel so fortunate to have been part of the Alicia Crosson Photography (ACP) Spokesmodel Program this past year! Participating in several stylized/ destination photo shoots with the other teens has been so much fun for my daughter and it has given her a new found sense of confidence!

Alicia makes each teen feel special

 and has a magical way of capturing, through her camera lens, the inner beauty of each model.

“I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your

Through these fun themes with your acp girls", promoting healthy teens with positive self image.

I absolutely love being a Senior & Teen Photographer, and capturing who you are in this important milestone in your life. SESSION FEE  $265  Includes 2-3 hour session, camera-ready makeup, simple hair styling, up to 4 outfits, 1-2 locations Please note: the $265 is a non-refundable deposit to book your session date. This is transferrable to another date pending on weather conditions or any unforeseen emergency situations.  I offer three portrait collections to choose from with collections starting at $495.

It is truly a privilege to work with my amazing clients and get to know you in a real and authentic way.

National awards & Studio Recognition

2016  Top 25 Honorable Mention Award – The Twelfth Year Magazine 2017 Top 25 Up & Coming Senior Photographers – The Twelfth Year Magazine 2017, 2018, 2019 Top 100 Inspirational Teen Images – Modern Teen Style Magazine 2018 Top 25 Most Influential Teen Photographers – Modern Teen Style Magazine Top 50 Up & Coming Senior Photographers – The Twelfth Year Magazine 2019 Top 200 High School Senior Photographers Worldwide – Senior Year Magazine NEXT Senior Model Summit Studio Winner Senior Fashion Contributor – Senior Style Guide Magazine Top 20 Portrait Artist Awards – Modern Senior Magazine

Spokesmodel

Please complete the contact form and I will send you additional details.

Let's Connect

I will be in touch with additional information in the next 48 hours!

Business Contact Hours Monday – Friday 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.

© 2020 ALICIA CROSSON PHOTOGRAPHY  |  WEBSITE BY HOLLI TRUE DESIGNS

© 2020 ALICIA CROSSON PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE BY HOLLI TRUE DESIGNS

Capturing the Moment • Naturally Romantic

Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most personal decisions you will make during the wedding planning process. Choosing the person who will be responsible for telling your unique love story requires full confidence in their ability to candidly capture great moments of the big day.

This story will have the most amazing characters, a beautiful setting, and it will undoubtedly have the most incredible ending. There are family and friends who will experience your story through the photographs we take, some you know today and some who will come along as life surges forward.

I hope my 20 years of experience, background in art and love of photography is evident in my photographs, and you can feel safe trusting your story to me and my dedicated wedding photography team.

Apple suffers 10% drop in quarterly iPhone sales to start the year, biggest drop since pandemic

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Apple on Thursday disclosed its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic’s outset, deepening a slump that’s increasing the pressure on the trendsetting company to spruce up its products with more artificial intelligence.

The 10% drop in year-over-year iPhone sales for the January-March period is latest sign of weakness in a product that generates most of Apple’s revenue. It marked the biggest drop in iPhone sales since the July-September period in 2020, when production bottlenecks caused by factory closures during the pandemic resulted in a delayed release of that year’s model.

The current iPhone downturn was the main reason Apple’s revenue for the latest quarter decreased 4% from last year to $90.8 billion. It marked the fifth consecutive quarter that Apple’s revenue dipped from the previous year. Apple’s profit in the past quarter totaled $23.64 billion, or $1.53 per share, a 2% dip from last year.

But both Apple’s revenue and earnings per share came in slightly above analysts projections, according to FactSet Research.

Part of the iPhone deterioration during the first three months of the year stemmed from a big boost in sales during the same period last year when Apple said it was filling pent-up demand caused by the pandemic-driven delays.

Even as it stumbles slightly, Apple remains one of the world’s most prosperous companies. The Cupertino, Calif., company hammered home that point by announcing a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share.

The company also committed to spending $110 billion buying back its own stock, a move that investors cheered but may fuel criticism that Apple is spending more money catering to Wall Street than creating more innovative products.

Bolstered by the increased dividend and stock repurchase commitment, Apple’s shares rose more than 7% in extended trading after the news came out. The stock price has fallen 10% so far this year, erasing about $300 billion in stockholder wealth.

Although investors have been dismayed by the weakening iPhone sales, they are also concerned Apple may be losing its edge as other tech giants such as Microsoft and Google sprint out to the early lead in artificial intelligence technology that is expected to reshape the industry and technology.

The latest quarterly report “leaves no margin for doubt about Apple’s current state of affairs,” said Investing.com analyst Thomas Monteiro. “More than ever in the past decade, the company needs new products and solutions.”

Apple is widely expected to unveil more AI services in June during an annual conference showcasing the next version of its software for the iPhone and Mac computers.

Weak sales in China were again a factor in the latest quarter, with revenue in that region falling 8% from last year to $16.37 billion as rival smartphone makers gained ground in one of the company’s largest markets

Apple had a few bright spots in the past quarter too, most notably in its service division, which saw revenue rise 14% from the year before to $23.87 billion.

The division reaps a significant portion of its revenue from a lucrative deal that locks in Google as the search engine that automatically answers queries on the iPhone — an arrangement that is a focal point of an antitrust trial currently wrapping up with closing arguments in Washington this week.

Commissions collected on digital transactions within iPhone apps are also a major revenue source within Apple’s services division, an area being targeted in a Justice Department lawsuit alleging the company is running an illegal monopoly that locks out competition to the detriment of consumers.

That case is expected to take several years to resolve, but European regulators already are forcing Apple to allow more alternatives to its proprietary iPhone app store as part of the Digital Markets Act.

Liedtke writes for the Associated Press.

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